Khalid Hasan Sohel, Shutrapur unit Chhatra Dal president, went missing on November 28, 2013 from the Old Dhaka Central Jail gate area. Ten years have passed, but his family still has no trace of his whereabouts.
When the Chhatra Dal president disappeared, his infant child had not yet learned to speak. The child now often asks his mother whether his hands and feet resemble those of his father, and when his father might return.
Khalid’s wife, Shammi Sultana, told Dhaka Tribune: “Every year, on this day, we come to seek justice for families who are looking for their fathers, brothers, and relatives. We do not want to mark this Disappearance Day. We want an end to this, a day when no one loses his or her relatives, or is subjected to torture, and no one has to talk to anyone about finding his or her missing loved ones.”
She was among those who addressed a program organized by the platform Maayer Daak on Wednesday to mark International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023 at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh, IDEB, Dhaka.
Lamiya Akhter Mim, daughter of Abu Kawsar, Barrister Armaan’s daughter Maria, Khalid Hassan’s son Arian, and many other victims’ children were seen holding their fathers’ photos at the program.
Missing BNP leader Masum’s mother, Ayesha Begum, said: “Who made us a disappeared man’s family, who tagged this in our life? We want justice. Somehow, I want to see my son before my death. Even if it is only his dead body, please send him to us.”
Ershad Ali Ladla’s father, Haji Ali, said: “In early 2017, my son disappeared. Then the police showed that he had been arrested in a case. After six months in jail, where he was inhumanely tortured, he was left in the hospital in a terrible situation. Today, I am living an inhumane life with my son's widow and three children. Earlier, he had to run away from home for eight years, and I sold my house and supported my son. His crime was that he was associated with BNP politics.”
Ten years have gone by without a trace or a word from Al Amin, the eldest son of Ahmed Ullah, since he was allegedly picked up by plainclothes RAB men.
“Nobody knows where he is or if he is alive. Police have done very little so far in helping the family find him or his remains,” said Al Amin’s brother Ruhul Amin.
Al Amin was involved with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, which was the reason he was picked up, his family claim. He was allegedly picked up with seven other people by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB 1) between 8pm to 2am that day.
Addressing the event, BNP Human Rights Affairs Secretary Advocate Asaduzzaman Asad said: “In the last 15 years, 600 cases of enforced disappearances have occurred, 3,000 people have been killed in extrajudicial killings, and 40,000 false cases have been filed against BNP leaders and activists.”
Dr Asif Nazrul said: “Fifteen years have passed, yet no one has been brought to justice. But it will not work like this. The good news is that it will be judged. Bangladesh signed the Rome Statute, that was their wrong step. If there is no trial in our country, then it can be done at the International Criminal Court - this is the work of the Rome Statute. Therefore, one day, we will get justice for this crime. Everyone will be judged, even the big shots who are involved.”
BNP leader Tabith Awal said: “After there is a changeover in the state, first the right to justice will be ensured. These crimes will be punished. They must be.”
At the time, all the victims’ families, guests and activists took part in a rally with black bands on their heads. The march, beginning at Kakrail, ended at Nayapaltan.
