The signing of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Threats of Terrorism is a very good first step.

2024-08-30 13:49:21

Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Following yesterday’s signing of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Violence by Muhammad Yunus, senior adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, Smriti Singh, Amnesty International’s regional director for South Asia, said:

“Registration of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Victims of Extremism is a very good first step on the long road to truth, justice and reparation for the victims and their families in Bangladesh. “The forced disappearances are amid brutality and disregard for human rights that have torn families apart in the country.”

“Going forward, the interim government should take the lead in achieving the full implementation of the Convention by establishing it and enacting strong national laws that recognize the nature of the ongoing crime and deal with the issues of loss that occur. before its launch.” It should also allow the UN Commission on Victims of Conflict to receive and examine communications sent by victims, in accordance with Article 31 of the UN Convention.”

“The commission of inquiry established earlier this week must have adequate resources and be equipped to carry out accurate, transparent and effective investigations into all cases of disappearance in the country, and its mandate must be extended to in cases before 2010. The commission must act. in an inclusive and transparent manner, in collaboration with civil society and victim groups. “It must ensure that those accused of being responsible for crimes under international law are brought to justice in justice and without recourse to the death penalty.”

“These are important next steps that must be taken to restore and strengthen the trust of victims and their families in the system.”

Additional Information:
According to Bangladesh NGO Odhikar, between 2009 and June 2024, at least 708 cases of enforced disappearance were reported.

After the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in early August, at least three “missing” people were released from secret prisons in the country: Michael Chakma, Abdullahil Aman Azmi and Ahmad Bin Quasem.

On August 29, the new provisional government announced the establishment of a five-member investigative committee that will investigate allegations of disappearances that occurred between January 2010 and August 2024.