Commission links Hasina to disappearances, recommends RAB dissolution

Dhaka, December 15 — The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances submitted an interim report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

On Saturday at 5pm, the commission members handed over the report to the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The report says that the commission has found evidence implicating former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as an instigator in the enforced disappearances.

Additionally, the commission has recommended the initiation of legal proceedings against the victims of enforced disappearances and the dissolution of the police's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

Titled "Unfolding the Truth," the report details that out of 1,676 complaints received, 758 have been verified.

The commission says that they have found evidence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in the disappearances, as well as the involvement of several senior officials from the Hasina administration, including her former defense adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and police officers Md Monirul Islam and Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid.

Commission Chairman Moinul Islam Chowdhury explained that the officials involved in the disappearances had taken measures to make their actions difficult to trace.

Various forces exchanged victims among themselves and implemented the plans in different ways.

The commission also mentioned that many victims of enforced disappearances are still not free from their trauma, as they were subjected to severe torture and continue to suffer psychological effects.

In his final statement, the chief adviser assured that victims would receive protection and justice.

Following his reassurance, the number of reports submitted increased.

The commission members requested Professor Yunus to visit the "Ayna Ghor" (Joint Interrogation Cell), as they believed that the victims would find solace if he visited.

Professor Yunus agreed to the request and confirmed that he would visit "Ayna Ghor" shortly.

The chief adviser thanked the commission members for their interim report and assured them of full support in advancing the work.

Commission Chairman Moinul Islam Chowdhury mentioned that they would submit another "interim report" in March, and that at least one more year would be needed to complete the final report.

—DhakaTribune