The Commission on Enforced Disappearances submitted its second interim report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today at the State Guest House Jamuna.
The report, handed over by Commission Chair Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, details harrowing accounts of disappearances and unlawful detentions that have taken place in recent years.
Reacting to the contents of the report, the Chief Adviser expressed shock and dismay, stating, "These are horrifying incidents. Members of our own society — so-called `gentlemen,` even our relatives — were responsible for these acts."
He emphasized the need to publish the report both online and in book form to meet national and international interest.
Highlighting the gravity of the findings, the Chief Adviser suggested the creation of a “horror museum” within the special museum currently under development at Ganabhaban.
"People must see the reality of what it means to be confined in a 3-by-3-foot cell for days, months. It`s cruel and inhumane," he said.
The Commission reported that it has received 1,850 complaints so far, of which 1,350 have been verified. The final tally is expected to surpass 3,500. More than 300 individuals who were forcibly disappeared remain missing to this day.
One Commission member shared that some individuals involved in the disappearances have since come forward, expressing remorse and seeking redemption.
Two officers even submitted written letters requesting relief from their actions, which were later found at Ganabhaban. The then-Army Chief publicly acknowledged these letters.
To ensure families of the disappeared can access essential services, such as banking, the Commission recommended legal reform.
Under current law, a person is declared legally dead after seven years of disappearance. The Commission suggested reducing this period to five years.
The Chief Adviser instructed the Commission to identify actionable recommendations within the report and specify which ministries are responsible for implementing them. This would enable the government to initiate prompt action.
He also advised the Commission to outline the immediate steps needed for effective follow-up and expressed his gratitude for their perseverance, saying, "You have continued your work in the face of fear and threats. You are an inspiration to this country and to future generations who will defend human rights."
Present at the meeting were Commission members Nur Khan, Sazzad Hossain, and Nabila Idris, along with Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Siraj Uddin Mia.
