Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, former chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and former High Court Justice. File Photo

DHAKA, Aug 29, 2026 (BSS) - Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, former chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and former High Court Justice, has described enforced disappearance as 'more horrific than death'.

He made the remarks at a symposium titled “Human Rights Situation in Bangladesh: A Review” here.

Justice Moyeenul said enforced disappearance is actually more horrific than death. 

In the case of death, family members can mourn and complete the funeral and burial rituals, he said, adding that but when someone becomes a victim of enforced disappearance, the family does not even know where the person is. 

Families of victims of enforced disappearance live in uncertainty for a long time, he added. 

Suspended between hope and despair, they face situations including social stigma, financial hardship and isolation, he said.

Justice Moyeenul further said enforced disappearances had become widespread during the previous (Awami League) government. 

At that time, extreme brutality prevailed, with enforced disappearance at the centre of state repression, he added.

Ultimately, it came to an end through the July Movement of 2024, he said.

Justice Moyeenul said the state machinery often portrayed victims as criminals in order to justify such acts.

Law enforcement and intelligence officials were, under orders from the highest level, made detached from humanity so that such acts could be carried out easily.