‘People disappear not only in Bangladesh, but also in US, UK’

Disappearance of people is a common phenomenon not only in Bangladesh, but also in developed countries like the US and the UK, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in parliament on Thursday. Citing a 2009 data, the leader of the House said some 275,000 British citizens went missing, 20,000 of whom still remain without trace, reports UNB. "The situation is even worse in the United States," she said. The premier made the remarks during the closing speech of the 18th session of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad. Earlier, opposition leader Raushan Ershad, during her speech, expressed concern about some recent high-profile disappearance of people, including North South University teacher Dr Mubashar Hossain. Referring to the opposition leader's concern about “enforced disappearance,” the prime minister said there was no doubt that it is the duty of the government to ensure the security of common people. However, criticizing the news media, Sheikh Hasina said: "The news items of those who return don't get due coverage." Pointing out that Bangladesh is a small country with mammoth population size, the prime minister said: “Developed countries, with much smaller population, have modern technology. Yet, many people disappear in those countries.” Without mentioning the name of noted intellectual Farhad Mazhar, who went missing a few months ago, the premier said an intellectual disappeared on his own accord and was later found loitering at the New Market in Khulna. Hasina said an allegation was then raised that he had been forcefully disappeared. "What sort of a mistake did we make in that case? Such instances are also there."