Criminals involved in enforced disappearances should be brought to justice: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that anyone involved in enforced disappearances will be brought to justice, regardless of how powerful or influential they may be.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Sunday.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

The President said there would be no more ‘Ayanaghar’ in independent Bangladesh. He stressed that perpetrators involved in every enforced disappearance must face justice and receive the maximum punishment prescribed by law.

He said enforced disappearance does not only take a person away from their family; it also destroys the family’s peace, dreams and social and economic security. He described enforced disappearance as a grave violation of human rights.

Referring to the past decade and a half, the President said many people who protested against injustice, expressed dissent or took part in movements for democratic rights were allegedly abducted, disappeared or killed.

He said the country must pursue justice rather than revenge by bringing the actual perpetrators under the law and ensuring appropriate punishment.

The President also called on the state to stand beside families affected by enforced disappearances. He said the state’s responsibility should not end with punishing the perpetrators, stressing the need to ensure dignity, social security, healthcare, education, livelihood and rehabilitation for affected families.

He also remembered several people who were victims of enforced disappearance, including Elias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, Sajeul Islam, Salahuddin Ahmed, Barrister Arman and retired Lieutenant General Azmi.

Recalling former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the President said she had consistently spoken out against enforced disappearances, killings and torture and believed that justice would eventually be delivered in Bangladesh.

The President said Bangladesh must be built as a country where political differences exist without political vengeance, freedom of expression exists without a culture of fear, and state power remains subject to the Constitution and the law.

He further said a country’s success should not be measured solely by economic growth. Its democratic character, commitment to justice and humanity, and the safety and dignity of its citizens are equally important indicators of genuine development.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan chaired the programme. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishrak Hossain attended the event as special guests.

Family members of people who had disappeared at different times also spoke at the programme and demanded proper investigation and justice in all enforced disappearance cases.