Wednesday, 22 January, 2025
Survivors of enforced disappearances faced the stigma of criminal charges while many lost their livelihoods due to the stigma, according to a report of the Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
"Survivors faced the stigma of criminal charges- whether real or fabricated were frequently labelled as criminals," the report noted adding that revealed that women and children, though fewer in number, were also victims of enforced disappearances during the 15-year rule of the ousted Awami League government.
Citing the account of a female victim, the claims that in instances of enforced disappearances involving women, their children were also taken along with them.
The woman, who was pregnant at the time, was detained for a month with her three-year-old and 18-month-old children. Despite her condition, she was reportedly beaten by a male officer.
On Sunday, the commission submitted a progress report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus who will soon visit the “Ayna Ghor” or “house of mirrors” detention cells.
A part of the report was made public by his office on Monday.
In the five-and-a-half-page document, the commission portrays the suffering of the victims, highlighting that efforts to locate and rescue the victims were repeatedly obstructed. The commission had submitted an interim report to Yunus on Dec 14.
A portion of the report was made public the following day.
The commission asserted that it had uncovered evidence linking deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to enforced disappearances during her time in office.
Titled Unfolding the Truth, the report also called for the initiation of legal proceedings and the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in connection with the disappearances.
The report, submitted on Sunday, claims that victims of enforced disappearances under Hasina's rule were systematically denied justice and their fundamental rights.
Furthermore, the report highlights how law enforcement agencies often refused to accept or investigate complaints related to disappearances, citing "orders from above" and remaining inactive in efforts to locate the missing individuals.
It also notes that while the number of female victims was significantly lower than that of male victims, this disparity was largely due to the higher number of men subjected to enforced disappearances.
"Many female victims hesitated to come forward due to fear of social stigma. However, several courageous women shared their experiences with the commission, which are detailed in the report."
According to the report, the accounts of abduction, torture during captivity, and subsequent interactions with the judicial system largely mirror the experiences of male victims.
In many cases, women were targeted because of their association with male relatives suspected of involvement in criminal activities, particularly terrorism.
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Survivors of enforced disappearances faced the stigma of criminal charges while many lost their livelihoods due to the stigma, according to a report of the Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
"Survivors faced the stigma of criminal charges- whether real or fabricated were frequently labelled as criminals," the report noted adding that revealed that women and children, though fewer in number, were also victims of enforced disappearances during the 15-year rule of the ousted Awami League government.
Citing the account of a female victim, the claims that in instances of enforced disappearances involving women, their children were also taken along with them.
The woman, who was pregnant at the time, was detained for a month with her three-year-old and 18-month-old children. Despite her condition, she was reportedly beaten by a male officer.
On Sunday, the commission submitted a progress report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus who will soon visit the “Ayna Ghor” or “house of mirrors” detention cells.
A part of the report was made public by his office on Monday.
In the five-and-a-half-page document, the commission portrays the suffering of the victims, highlighting that efforts to locate and rescue the victims were repeatedly obstructed. The commission had submitted an interim report to Yunus on Dec 14.
A portion of the report was made public the following day.
The commission asserted that it had uncovered evidence linking deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to enforced disappearances during her time in office.
Titled Unfolding the Truth, the report also called for the initiation of legal proceedings and the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in connection with the disappearances.
The report, submitted on Sunday, claims that victims of enforced disappearances under Hasina's rule were systematically denied justice and their fundamental rights.
Furthermore, the report highlights how law enforcement agencies often refused to accept or investigate complaints related to disappearances, citing "orders from above" and remaining inactive in efforts to locate the missing individuals.
It also notes that while the number of female victims was significantly lower than that of male victims, this disparity was largely due to the higher number of men subjected to enforced disappearances.
"Many female victims hesitated to come forward due to fear of social stigma. However, several courageous women shared their experiences with the commission, which are detailed in the report."
According to the report, the accounts of abduction, torture during captivity, and subsequent interactions with the judicial system largely mirror the experiences of male victims.
In many cases, women were targeted because of their association with male relatives suspected of involvement in criminal activities, particularly terrorism.
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