Staff Reporter :
The government has established a five-member commission to investigate cases of enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by law enforcement agencies during the Awami League’s 15-year rule.
The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Tuesday, forming the commission under the ‘Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956’.
The commission is tasked with investigating cases of enforced disappearances involving members of various law enforcement agencies, including the Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB), Detective Branch (DB), Ansar Battalion, National Security Intelligence (NSI), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Coast Guard, and other enforcement agencies.
According to the ‘Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956’, the commission is required to complete its investigation and submit a report to the government within 45 working days.
Retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury of the High Court Division will chair the commission.
The other members include retired Justice Md. Farid Ahmed Shibli of the High Court Division, human rights activist Noor Khan, BRAC University teacher Nabila Idris, and human rights activist Sazzad Hossain.
The commission’s mandate includes examining cases of enforced disappearances from January 1, 2010, to August 5 of the current year.
It will identify the disappeared persons, determine the circumstances of their disappearance, and submit details of these incidents to the relevant authorities.
If the disappeared individuals are located, the commission will notify their relatives.
Additionally, the commission will review investigations conducted by other organizations or institutions related to enforced disappearances.
The Cabinet Division will provide secretarial assistance and cover necessary expenses for the commission.
The commission has the authority to enlist the help of any public servant as needed.
The president of the commission will hold the status and privileges of a judge of the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, while the members will have the status and privileges of judges of the High Court Division.