BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. File photo

DHAKA, Aug 29, 2025 (BSS) – BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged that if his party is voted to power, they will enact appropriate laws in accordance with International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) to ensure that none becomes victim of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh. 

“Justice must be served for this heinous and serious crime against humanity,” he said in a message today on the eve of International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

Tarique Rahman said enforced disappearances are a global problem, a gross violation of human rights.

Such inhumane incidents occur especially in authoritarian regimes and regions with political conflicts, he said, adding the state’s security forces or law enforcement agencies often use such ruthless tactics against anti-government movements or political leaders of different views. 

“Like my countrymen, I am deeply concerned about the unprecedented incidents of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s regime,” he said. 

The BNP acting chairman said reliable human rights organizations have simultaneously revealed that more than seven hundred people were victims of enforced disappearances by the law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh since January 2009. 

“This is very touching and heartbreaking. To date, justice has not been achieved in a single case of enforced disappearance,” he said.

However, it is hopeful that the current interim government has approved in principle the draft of the “Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance-2025" to ensure that no more incident of enforced disappearances occur in Bangladesh, he said.

“These missing people were loved ones of their families. Their dreams, love and bright futures have been taken away. We do not know where the missing people are, but we have left behind a tragic and painful Bangladesh, where our acquired human rights and values ??have been robbed,” he said.

Enforced disappearance is recognized as an international crime, he said adding Article 7 (2) of the Rome Statute of the ICC defines enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity, and emphasizes the need for justice for this violation of human rights, he mentioned.

He said the families of the victims of enforced disappearances do not know any information about their whereabouts and are also deprived of the right to justice. 

“We observe this international day to remember and express our condolences to the families of those who have been victims of enforced disappearances due to political philosophies, race, languages, ethnic groups, cultures and castes, across the world including Bangladesh,” he said.

He called for unity and solidarity around the world to bring to justice and hold accountable the individuals and institutions involved in this inhumane crime.