Acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman has vowed to eliminate enforced disappearances, calling it a crime against humanity and a severe violation of basic human rights. He promised that no individual would go missing if the BNP forms the government.
He made the remarks in a message sent to the media on Thursday afternoon.
He said: "On behalf of my party, I pledge that if the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is elected by the people and forms the government, we will adhere to the international guidelines on the prevention of disappearances as adopted by the United Nations, ensuring that no more individuals go missing in Bangladesh."
Bangladesh signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) on Thursday, with the Chief Advisor of the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus signing on behalf of the country.
In his speech marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Tarique Rahman said: "I will prioritize enacting the necessary laws in accordance with the ICPPED. Justice must be served for this grave crime against humanity."
He further added: "Disappearance is a crime against humanity and a gross violation of fundamental human rights. Like millions of my fellow countrymen, I am deeply concerned about the unprecedented disappearances in Bangladesh, which are being used as a tool of state oppression."
Referring to the disappearances during the Awami League government, he said: "Under the misrule of Sheikh Hasina, disappearances have been used to instil fear among the public. Reliable human rights organizations have revealed that since January 2009, more than seven hundred people have been disappeared by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. It is deeply painful that, to date, not a single case has seen justice served."