Family members of those who were forcibly disappeared under the last regime, with many yet to return even after 11-12 years, and activists have praised the report by UN OHCHR into human rights violations and abuses related to the protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh.
They were speaking at a discussion organized by “Maayer Daak”. The discussion titled “UN Investigation Report and the Crimes Against Humanity Trial Process: International Context” was held at the National Press Club on Thursday.
Maayer Daak emerged as a platform for the families of the victims of enforced disappearance during the Awami League regime. It is led by Sanjida Islam Tulee, whose brother Sajedul Islam, a BNP activist, was picked up by security agencies in December 2013, and hasn't been seen since.
Addressing the program, Tasneem Khalil, editor-in-chief of Netra News, applauded the UN's report on the July Uprising massacre, which should give an impetus to the quest for justice that had seemed to be drifting in recent weeks.
Speaking at the discussion, Khalil said: “The government must fully cooperate with the UN’s investigation into these crimes.”
Family members of those who were forcibly disappeared also shared their thoughts during the discussion.
Khalil said that the main point of the UN report is that the coordinated attack on the protesters during the July Uprising was a crime against humanity, and this has been proven.
The report also mentions that more investigation is needed to prosecute the crimes in a court of law.
“If proven, this will not just be a local issue for Bangladesh, but will become an international matter, leading to calls for justice and accountability," he added.
He also urged the Bangladesh government to provide necessary support to this UN investigation saying: “While we believe there is goodwill from investigators in Bangladesh, there is a lack of specialized expertise. We need international help, particularly in forensic architecture."
Khalil also suggested that the government should ask the UN for assistance in recovering money that has been laundered from Bangladesh.
“Human rights organizations could also come together to discuss the next steps,” he said.
Family members of the disappeared spoke about their pain. They said that enforced disappearance is one of the greatest crimes against humanity because the missing person leaves no trace behind, only memories.
A family member said: "Those who did not return may have begged- I have small children at home, elderly parents, please let me go. But no one hears their cry."
They demanded justice for those responsible for these disappearances.
Manorom Palak, whose father journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol remained missing for 53 days before law enforcement agencies produced him before a court, shared his family's experience of loss and his own introduction into activism while fighting for his father's freedom and even just to find out where he was.
Lamia Islam Meem, whose father Kawsar Hossain, a driver by profession who was involved in BNP politics, and still remains missing after eight years, said: "I just want to walk holding my father's hand. I don’t need anything else. I heard that my father is in Aynaghor, but where is he? I saw Aynaghor, but couldn’t find him."
