BSS, Dhaka

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said all criminals involved in enforced disappearances must be brought to justice, no matter how powerful they are.

“There would be no more ‘Aynaghar’ in independent Bangladesh and every criminal involved in enforced disappearance must receive the maximum punishment under the law,” he said.

The president said this while addressing an event on Sunday marking International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances-2026 as the chief guest.

Organised by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the discussion was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.

President Mirza Fakhrul said that over the past one and a half decades under the fascist government, the unbearable grip of enforced disappearance and the secret detention centre ‘Aynaghar’ had weighed heavily on Bangladesh.

“Those who protested against injustice, expressed dissent, or remained vocal on the streets to demand democratic rights were picked up to silence them and were subjected to enforced disappearance and killings. Yet, the state institutions subservient to the fascists continued to deny those heinous crimes.”

Against the backdrop of the mass uprising of unarmed students and people, he said, the fascist ruler was forced to flee the country. Now, reparation measures must be taken instead of revenge, and the real criminals must be brought under the law.

The president noted that all scope for returning fascism to this country would be permanently closed.

He said enforced disappearance is not merely taking away an individual; rather, it takes away the smiles, peace, dreams, and economic and social well-being of their loved ones.

“It is a heinous violation of human rights. The country’s constitution has guaranteed the rights of every citizen to live, enjoy liberty and receive protection of the law. Through enforced disappearances and killings, all these rights are violated at once,” he noted.

“I believe the state’s responsibility will not end merely by punishing the criminals,” he said, urging the government to stand beside the victims and families of enforced disappearance by ensuring their dignity, social security, healthcare, education, livelihood, and rehabilitation.

The president said the establishment of a culture of enforced disappearance and killing is a deeply painful and humiliating chapter in our national history.

He mentioned the incidents of enforced disappearance during the fascist regime, including those of Ilias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, Sajedul Islam, incumbent home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Barrister Arman and retired Lt Gen Azmi, saying countless dissidents, officials, writers, journalists, social workers, and even housewives and ordinary citizens were subjected to disappearance.

He said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia had always been vocal against enforced disappearances and killings by the fascist government.

Many leaders of the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami, social entities, media, civil society members, and people from all walks of life fell victim to enforced disappearance and killings during the fascist regime, he said.

Mirza Fakhrul also remembered Sanjida Islam Tulee, convener of Mayer Dak, who had been vocal against enforced disappearances during the fascist era.

“We want a Bangladesh where there will be political differences, but no political vengeance. There will be freedom of expression, but no culture of fear. There will be law and order, but no injustice in the name of law. The state will have power, but that power will remain under the control of the constitution and the law.

He said, “Alongside economic growth, the true picture of a state’s development and success is reflected in how it practises democracy, how much it is based on justice and humanity and how safe its citizens are.”

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Aazam Khan presided over the event while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman and State Minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain were present as special guests.

Victims of enforced disappearances – lawmakers Humam Quader Chowdhury, Anisur Rahaman, Tahsina Rushdir, Sanjida Islam, and Mir Ahmad Binquasem spoke on the occasion and demanded a fair trial of the incidents of enforced disappearances.