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.

Shibbir Ahmed, UNITED NATIONS, NY — The United Nations is marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on Sunday with renewed calls for governments to address the fate of missing people, protect victims and their families, and ensure truth and justice for those affected by enforced disappearance.

The annual observance, held on August 30, highlights the continuing suffering of people whose relatives have disappeared after being arrested, detained or otherwise taken into state custody while authorities deny or conceal their whereabouts.

UN human rights experts said the impact of enforced disappearance extends far beyond the individual victim. Families can be left for years without information about what happened to their loved ones, while communities can suffer social and economic consequences. The UN has described enforced disappearance as a serious human-rights violation that can also be used to spread fear throughout society.

The 2026 observance is particularly significant because it marks 20 years since the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and established an international legal framework aimed at preventing enforced disappearances and protecting people from the practice.

The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances have used this year’s observance to renew attention to victims and their families and to the need for effective measures to prevent disappearances and clarify the fate of those who remain missing.

A Continuing Global Human Rights Challenge

Enforced disappearance occurs when people are arrested, detained or abducted by, or with the authorization, support or acquiescence of state authorities, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person’s detention or to provide information about their whereabouts.

The consequences can continue for decades. Families may remain uncertain whether their relatives are alive or dead, while the lack of information can prevent them from obtaining justice, reparations and other forms of support.

The UN has repeatedly stressed that resolving cases of enforced disappearance requires credible investigations, accountability and access to information for families.

The International Day also serves as a reminder of the broader obligations of governments under international human-rights law to prevent enforced disappearance and investigate allegations when they occur.

Twenty Years of the UN Convention

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was adopted on December 20, 2006. It entered into force in 2010 and created the Committee on Enforced Disappearances to monitor implementation by states parties.

The convention recognizes the right of every person not to be subjected to enforced disappearance and calls on states to take measures to prevent the practice and ensure accountability. Two decades after its adoption, the UN continues to call for stronger implementation of the convention and greater protection for victims and their families.

The UN’s message on August 30 remains clear: families searching for missing relatives should not be left without answers, and enforced disappearance must not be allowed to remain a tool of fear, impunity or denial.