‘Independent probe urged over abductions, disappearances’

Human rights activists today urged the government to form an independent probe commission to investigate the cases of abductions and enforced disappearances between 2013 and 2015.

The speakers said this at a press conference organised by Mayer Dak, an organisation of the families of 19 victims of abduction and enforced disappearances, at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka this noon.

Read More: Enforced Disappearances: Beyond any 'probe'

The government should form an independent commission, which will take necessary steps to identify those behind the abductions and disappearances and bring them to book, said Nur Khan Liton, acting executive director of the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).

If the government fails to form the commission, the rights activists will form a public probe commission to investigate the abductions and enforced disappearances, he added.

Prof Dr CR Abrar, coordinator of Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RMMU), alleged that the government is behind the abductions and disappearances as it has not taken any measure in this regard so far.

Members of 24 families of the victims, who were present at the conference, urged the government to take necessary steps to search for and bringing back their loved ones.  

General Secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) Khalequzzaman and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna also spoke at the programme among others.