Former Prime Minister In Banngladesh Allegedly Involved In Forced Disappearance Case

A local court in Bangladesh has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024 on charges of crimes against humanity.

JAKARTA - The Commission for the Investigation of Forced Disappearance in Bangladesh found the involvement of former prime minister Hasina and a number of high-level security officials in the forced disappearance of a number of individuals.

The United Nations and other human rights groups have accused hundreds of people, especially from opposition political parties and dissidents, of being victims of forced disappearances during the Hasina administration.

The Commission formed by the current transitional government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus found preliminary evidence linking Hasina, who fled to neighboring India on August 5 following a student-led uprising.

The commission consisting of five people led by former Judge Mainul Islam Chowdhury submitted a report entitled "Unfolding The Truth" to Yunus in Dhaka, according to a statement by the Yunus media team.

In the report, the commission found a "systematic design" to hide forced disappearances.

The commission chairman revealed that the people involved in the disappearance or murder outside the legal process had no in-depth knowledge of the victims.

The investigation also involved several high-ranking officials from the ousted Hasina administration, including defense adviser Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former director-general of the National Telecommunications Monitoring Center, Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and a number of senior police officers.

The Commission has recorded 1,676 complaints of forced disappearances, with 758 verified complaints.

They estimate the total number of forced disappearances could exceed 3,500 cases.

The Commission recommends the disbandment of the Fast Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force sanctioned by the US for gross human rights violations, including forced disappearances and killings beyond legal proceedings.

This week, the head of RAB acknowledged the whereabouts of a secret detention center named Aynaghar and apologized for the human rights violations committed by the troops.