DHAKA – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said all criminals involved in enforced disappearances should be brought to justice, no matter how powerful they are. “There would be no more ‘Aynaghar’ in independent Bangladesh and every criminal involved in enforced disappearance must receive the maximum punishment under the law,” he said.

The President said this while addressing an event today marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances-2026 as the chief guest. Organized by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the discussion was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here this morning.

The president said during the past one and a half decades under the fascist government, the unbearable grip of enforced disappearance and secret detention centre ‘Aynaghar’ had weighed heavily on Bangladesh.

“Those who protested against injustice, expressed dissent, or remained vocal on the streets to demand democratic rights were picked up to silence them and were subjected to enforced disappearance and killings. Yet, the state institutions subservient to the fascists continued to deny those heinous crimes,” he added.

Mirza Fakhrul said in the backdrop of mass uprising of unarmed students and people the fascist ruler was forced to flee the country. Now, reparation measures must be taken instead of revenge, and the real criminals must be brought under law.

The President noted that all scopes of returning fascism to this country would be permanently closed. He said enforced disappearance is not merely taking away a person. It takes away the smiles, peace, dreams, and economic and social well-being of their beloved ones.

“It is a heinous violation of human rights. The constitution of country has guaranteed rights of every citizen to live, enjoy liberty anf getting protection of law. Through enforced disappearances and killings, all these rights are violated at once,” he noted.

“I believe the state’s responsibility will not end merely by punishing the criminals,” he said, urging the government to stand beside the victims and families of enforced disappearance by ensuring their dignity, social security, healthcare, education, livelihood, and rehabilitation. The President said establishment of culture of enforced disappearance and killing is a deeply painful and humiliating chapter in our national history.

He mentioned the incidents of enforced disappearance during the fascist regime including Ilias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, Sajedul Islam, incumbent home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Barrister Arman and retired Lieutenant General Azmi saying countless dissents, officials, writers, journalists, social workers, and even housewives and ordinary citizens were subjected to disappearance.

The President said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had always been vocal against enforced disappearances and killings by the fascist government. Many leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, social entities, media, civil society members, and people from all walks of life fell victim of enforced disappearance and killings during the fascist regime, he said. The president also remembered Sanjida Islam Tulee, convener of Mayer Dak, who had been vocal against enforced disappearances during the fascist era.

“We want a Bangladesh where there will be political differences, but no political vengeance. There will have freedom of expression, but no culture of fear. There will have law and order, but no injustice in the name of law. The state will have power, but that power will remain under the control of the Constitution and the law,” he said.

“Alongside economic growth, the true picture of a state’s development and success is reflected on how it practices democratic, how much it’s based on justice and humanity and how much safe its citizens lives,” he said.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Aazam Khan presided over the event while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman and State Minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain were present as special guests. Victims of enforced disappearances also lawmakers Humam Quader Chowdhury, Anisur Rahaman, Tahsina Rushdir, Sanjida Islam, Mir Ahmad Binquasem spoke on the occasion and demanded a fair trial of the incidents of enforced disappearances.

Editorial:

Democracy is not limited to elections, voting rights or the formation of a government. The real strength of a democratic system lies in transparency, oversight and accountability in the exercise of power. Parliamentary committees are among the most important institutional mechanisms for ensuring that accountability.

A government exercises enormous authority in the name of the people. Parliament, therefore, must have the ability to scrutinise how that authority is being used. When parliamentary committees are unable to perform their duties effectively and independently, oversight of the executive becomes weaker. That raises a fundamental question: if parliamentary committees are weak, who will hold the government accountable?

The role of parliamentary committees is far more important than simply holding meetings or calling government officials to provide explanations. Committees are expected to examine government policies, expenditures, development projects, administrative decisions and the performance of public institutions. They can identify irregularities, question failures and recommend corrective measures.

Effective parliamentary oversight creates an institutional check on executive power. It helps ensure that public money is spent properly, government decisions are examined and public institutions remain answerable for their actions.

But oversight loses much of its meaning if committees are constrained by political influence, excessive partisanship, administrative obstacles or a lack of access to information. A committee that cannot independently examine government actions cannot effectively fulfil its constitutional and democratic purpose.

Accountability must also extend to the implementation of parliamentary committee recommendations. If a committee identifies irregularities and makes recommendations, but the relevant ministry or agency simply ignores them, what happens next? The public should be able to know which recommendations have been implemented, which have not, and why.

Parliament represents the people. Every institution operating with public money must ultimately remain accountable to the public. This is one of the fundamental principles of democratic governance.

The independence and effectiveness of parliamentary committees are therefore critical. Committee members should have access to relevant documents, information and expert assistance. They should be able to question officials and investigate matters of public interest without unnecessary interference.

The opposition also has an important role to play. In a parliamentary democracy, the opposition’s responsibility extends beyond criticising the government from the floor of Parliament. Parliamentary committees provide an institutional avenue through which government policies and decisions can be examined more closely. Meaningful opposition participation can strengthen oversight and help maintain a balance of power.

At the same time, accountability should not become an excuse for political obstruction. Parliamentary scrutiny should be based on facts, evidence and public interest rather than partisan calculations. Good decisions should be recognised, while failures and irregularities should be exposed without fear or favour. That is the essence of responsible parliamentary practice.

For Bangladesh, strengthening parliamentary committees should therefore be an important part of strengthening democratic institutions. A Parliament does not become strong merely by passing laws. Its real strength also depends on its ability to scrutinise government actions and demand answers on behalf of citizens.

Regular committee meetings, greater transparency, access to information, effective follow-up mechanisms and meaningful implementation of recommendations are essential. Committee proceedings and reports should receive appropriate public attention so that citizens can understand how their elected representatives are performing their oversight responsibilities.

Political parties also have a responsibility in this regard. Parliamentary committees should not become extensions of partisan politics. National interest and public accountability must come before party loyalty.

Ultimately, the principle is simple: if political power comes from the people, those who exercise that power must be answerable to the people.

Parliamentary committees are one of the principal institutional mechanisms for demanding that accountability. Weak committees therefore do not merely weaken parliamentary procedures; they weaken the broader democratic system of checks and balances.

A functioning democracy needs a strong government, but it also needs a strong Parliament and effective parliamentary committees. Power without oversight is dangerous, and democracy without accountability is incomplete.