Bangladesh Gum Paribar, a platform for families of those forcibly disappeared, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the return persons disappeared during the tenure of the Awami League government, to their families and unveiling the locations of the secret detention centres called “Aynaghor.”
The platform warned of a strict movement if the authorities do not take further action, at a press conference on Monday at the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) auditorium in Dhaka.
The organization’s chief coordinator, Mohammad Bellal Hossain, said: "We do not know where Aynaghors have been constructed or how many there are in Bangladesh. If these secret detention cells exist in Bangladesh, there is no need for a judiciary, courts, or law enforcement. If these are not unveiled within 48 hours, a program will be initiated to surround all suspected Aynaghors. All Aynaghors will be demolished."
He further said: "RAB-1 picked me up on October 10, 2016. I was tortured for one month and 10 days. During my time there, I only heard cries. There were small rooms, and no sound from outside could enter. I was released in exchange for crore of taka under many conditions."
Presenting a written statement, Bellal said: "On August 27, the present government formed a five-member investigation committee and published it in the form of a gazette. The gazette was asked to submit an investigation report to the ministry within 45 days.
“But even after 15 days, we have not been able to establish a roadmap for where they will sit or how they will start the investigation. Despite repeated contact, there was no response from them. We want to know when the investigation will be launched. "
Bellal said: "From 2010 to 2024, 70-80% of all disappearances, murders, and kidnappings were carried out by RAB. People were killed extrajudicially under the guise of crossfires. I demand that all RAB directors, additional directors, Detective Branch chiefs, and DGFI chiefs in office from 2010 to 2024 be brought under the law and punished."
"Major Md Sajjad Ahmed worked as a source for RAB. We demand justice for each source. RAB should be disbanded and transformed into a new force. The people of Bangladesh do not want to see RAB; they are known worldwide as a criminal force."
Babul Howlader, a grieving father, said: "I used to work at Sadarghat in Dhaka with my son. My son, Sadi Howlader, had a dispute with people associated with the former minister of shipping, Shajahan Khan. Over that dispute, RAB took my son from Pirojpur in 2013.
“Despite extensive searches, I have not found my son. Since the government's fall, many have emerged from Aynaghors. Where is my son? Who will provide information about my son?"
Another bereaved, Sharmin Akter Chandni, said: "On December 21, 2014, members of RAB-5 took my brother from Rajshahi. Later, despite visiting various police stations, we found no remedy."
Chandni presented several demands to the interim government.
The demands are the immediate and unconditional release of all forcibly disappeared and missing persons from the torture cells; allowing family members to visit all cells; providing certificates as evidence to the families of those killed; compensating every missing family financially; prohibiting any form of Aynaghors in Bangladesh; and bringing those involved in enforced disappearances and murders under legal jurisdiction.
