Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government, stated that the report on enforced disappearances should be made available on the website and also published as a book. He noted that there is not only domestic but also global interest in this issue.
On Wednesday (June 4), at 11 AM, the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, led by Chief Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, submitted its report to the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna. Upon receiving the report, Dr. Yunus made these remarks.
The Chief Adviser said, "What horrific incidents! Respectable members of our society, our own relatives, committed these acts. Based on what you have found, there should be a horror museum. These are hair-raising incidents."
He further added, "The depiction of the brutality and cruelty of how these detention centers are, how people are held for days and months in three-by-three-foot cells, should be presented to the public."
Thanking the commission members, Dr. Muhammad Yunus said, "You are working despite fear, intimidation, and various threats. You will remain an inspiration for the people of this country. You are an inspiration for those who will work for human rights in the future."
At this time, the Chief Adviser instructed the members to identify the immediate actions required from the report, specifying which ministry each falls under, so that the government can begin the work quickly.
A commission member told the Chief Adviser that the incidents are so horrific that many involved officials and others are suffering from remorse. They contacted us as an attempt at self-purification.
Two officers even wrote letters seeking deliverance from this, and these letters were found at Ganabhaban (the Prime Minister's official residence). The then Army Chief publicly acknowledged these letters.
Commission members stated that they have received 1,850 complaints so far, and 1,350 of them have been verified. The number of complaints may exceed three and a half thousand.
Among those who were victims of enforced disappearance, over three hundred individuals are still missing. The head of the commission requested the Chief Adviser to take initiatives so that the families of missing persons can at least conduct bank transactions.
He said that under the existing law, there is an opportunity to declare someone deceased if they have been missing for seven years. He mentioned that they have recommended amending the law to reduce this period to five years.
The Chief Adviser then advised the commission to outline the necessary steps for immediate action on this matter.
Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Chief Adviser's Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Mia, and Commission on Enforced Disappearances members Noor Khan, Sajjad Hossain, and Nabila Idris were present during the report submission.
