On the International Day of the Disappeared, the human rights organization Odhikar notes with deep concern the increase in incidents of disappearances in Bangladesh and the inability of the government to deal with such heinous acts – thus reinforcing the politics of intimidation and fear. Odhikar is particularly concerned about the manifested lack of sensitivity to the issue and absence of any steps that could assure the government’s commitment to good governance with regard to disciplining the law and order enforcement apparatus of the country. The enforced disappearance of political leaders is an alarming trend and has already thrown Bangladesh into political instability and uncertainties. The disappearance and killing of labour leader Aminul Islam has significantly reduced the government’s international image and graphically proved again the horrendous state of intimidation and repression suffered by garment workers, who are the backbone of export earnings for the country.
‘Enforced disappearance’ is a heinous violation of human rights and an international crime. It affects victims in many different ways, including constant fear for their lives and for their near and dear ones who go through an emotional rollercoaster of hope and despair.
Although the number of people disappeared is high, but according to Odhikar, the cases of 67 persons since the present government came to power in 2009, are clearly of the category of ‘enforced disappearance’ as defined by the international human rights law, particularly the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Enforced disappearance occurs when the act is alleged to have happened with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or state agencies or political organisation, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person's fate and whereabouts, with the intent of placing the victim outside the protection of the law, thus further violating his fundamental human rights.
On this day, Odhikar again urges the Government of Bangladesh to accede to the International Convention of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance that has been signed by 91 countries and ratified by 34. The Convention was adopted in 2006 by the United Nations General Assembly and came into force on 23 December 2010. This is regarded as one of the major achievements for the protection of the human rights of people around the world. Odhikar also calls upon all other States to join this important internationalmechanism.
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Farhad Mazhar |
Adilur Rahman Khan Secretary |
House No. 35 (3rd Floor), Road No. 117, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Tel: 9888587, Fax: 9886208, Email: