TDS Desk:

The Inquiry Commission on Enforced Disappearances submitted its second interim report to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday (June 4 ), detailing the progress of its ongoing investigations into cases of abduction and state-led enforced disappearances.

The report was handed over at the state guest house Jamuna around 11am by the Chair of the commission former chief justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, accompanied by commission members Nur Khan, Sazzad Hossain, and Nabila Idris.

Present at the meeting were Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and the Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Miah.

Following the report’s submission, Chief Adviser Yunus gave instructions to make the document publicly available in both print and digital formats.

“There is global interest in this report, not just within Bangladesh. It must be published as both a book and on a website,” he said.

He expressed deep horror over the findings,stating, “What horrific stories! The so-called ‘gentlemen’ of our society – our own relatives and acquaintances – committed these acts. ”

“There should be a horror museum based on what you’ve uncovered. These stories send shivers down the spine. The public needs to know about the brutality of being locked up for days, even months, in a three-by-three-foot cell,” he added.

Yunus directed the commission to identify actionable recommendations from the report and indicate which government ministries are responsible for implementing them.

“This will allow the government to initiate work on these tasks without delay,” he said.

One commission member shared that the atrocities were so severe that several officials involved had reached out to the commission out of remorse.

“Two officers even submitted written pleas for spiritual relief. These letters were found at Bangabhaban, and the then army chief publicly acknowledged their existence,” the member said.

According to the commission, they have so far received 1,850 complaints, of which 1,350 have been investigated. They expect the number to surpass 3,500.

More than 300 victims of enforced disappearances still remain missing, the commission members confirmed.

The commission also urged the Chief Adviser to take steps that would allow the families of the disappeared to at least carry out basic financial transactions, such as banking.

“There is a provision in the current law that a person may be declared dead after seven years of disappearance. We recommend amending it to five years,” said the commission chief.

In response, CA Yunus advised the commission to outline urgent actions so that authorities could move quickly.

“You are working under threat and intimidation. Your courage is inspiring. You will remain a source of inspiration for future generations working on human rights,” he told the commission.