Maximum Penalty for Enforced Disappearance is Death Penalty, Trials to be Held in Tribunal

Taifur Rahman, Special Correspondent:

On Thursday (August 28), the Advisory Council of the interim government granted preliminary approval to the draft of the “Enforced Disappearance Prevention, Remedy, and Protection Ordinance, 2025” during a meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The proposed ordinance includes provisions for severe punishments, including the death penalty, for the crime of enforced disappearance. It also mandates the establishment of a special tribunal for cases related to enforced disappearances and requires trials to be completed within 120 days of framing charges.

In a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy following the Advisory Council meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the draft ordinance received preliminary approval. Further discussions will be held, and the draft will be presented again for final approval at a subsequent Advisory Council meeting. Shafiqul Alam elaborated that the draft ordinance defines enforced disappearance as an ongoing crime and proposes stringent penalties, including the death penalty. Establishing or using secret detention centers has been declared a punishable offense. The National Human Rights Commission has been empowered to receive and investigate complaints related to enforced disappearances. The ordinance also includes provisions for forming a special tribunal, ensuring trials are completed within 120 days, protecting the rights of victims, informants, and witnesses, and guaranteeing compensation and legal assistance for victims. The press secretary noted that the draft was refined after incorporating feedback from the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Human Rights Watch, other human rights organizations, and two consultation meetings organized by the Law and Justice Division. **Three Land Ports to be Closed, Operations of One Suspended** During the same Advisory Council meeting, a proposal to close three land ports and suspend the operational activities of one was approved. The ports to be closed are Chilahati in Nilphamari, Daulatganj in Chuadanga, and Thegamukh in Rangamati. Additionally, the operational activities of the Balla land port in Chunaru Ghat, Habiganj, will be temporarily suspended. Shafiqul Alam explained that the decision was made after a review by a cabinet committee. Many approved land ports in the country remain non-functional due to a lack of necessary infrastructure or commercial activity, leading to unnecessary government expenditure. Maintaining these ports requires deploying officials and spending taxpayers’ money. In the past, some land ports were approved for political reasons, but they failed to generate the expected commercial activity, becoming a financial burden. Discussions were also held regarding four other non-operational land ports, with decisions to be made later. Additionally, the Advisory Council approved a proposal to declare October 17, the “Disappearance Day” of Lalon Sai, as a Class A day. The press conference was attended by Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmad. ----Taifur Rahmam Tuhin