No Allegations of State-Orchestrated Enforced Disappearances Against the Government in the Last Six Months, Says Law Minister

Photo: Collected

News Desk: Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has said that no allegations of planned or state-orchestrated enforced disappearances have been made against the government over the past six months.

He made the remarks on Sunday (August 30) during a discussion marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka.

The minister said that during the six-month period, only one complaint had been received concerning an alleged disappearance related to the Coast Guard in Mongla, Bagerhat. He added that the incident is being investigated independently.

Referring to the case involving Miraj Sheikh, the law minister said the government did not stop at ordering an investigation. He said that family members of alleged disappearance victims later attacked government facilities in protest, resulting in criminal cases against them. After they were arrested and jailed, the government arranged legal aid and bail for those who could not afford to hire lawyers.

The minister also said he considers himself part of the families affected by enforced disappearances.

“I am also a member of that family because most of those who were victims of enforced disappearances during the previous fascist regime belonged to BNP families,” he said.

He added that he sees himself as part of the broader BNP family, saying that some victims were like brothers, relatives, children, colleagues, or fellow political activists to him, and pledged to do whatever he can for their welfare throughout his lifetime.

Note: This translation reflects the statements and claims made by the law minister in the news report. It does not independently verify those claims.