Michael Chakma accuses Sheikh Hasina and 8 others of enforced disappearance in tribunal complaint

In a significant move, Michael Chakma has filed a written complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal, accusing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and eight others of being responsible for his enforced disappearance. 

The complaint was submitted on the morning of Monday, December 30.

During the submission, Chakma, a leader of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), also handed over the gamcha (cloth) that had been used to bind his hands when he was abducted. 

He was accompanied by well-known anthropologist Professor Rehnuma Ahmed. According to Chakma, on April 9, 2019, he was taken by force while traveling back to Dhaka after completing some work in Kanchpur, Narayanganj.

Chakma‍‍`s family, along with UPDF and other human rights organizations, has been actively campaigning for his release. 

Protests and demonstrations have been held by progressive groups, civil society members, and teachers, all demanding that the government reveal the truth about his disappearance. 

Human rights groups like Amnesty International have also raised concerns and called for the authorities to disclose where Chakma has been.

Although Chakma‍‍`s family filed a complaint with the Narayanganj police and sought help from the High Court, no steps were taken by the previous government to locate him.

However, after the fall of the Hasina government, Chakma was freed on August 7, over five years later. 

He was found blindfolded and abandoned in a remote part of Chittagong early in the morning on that day.