Bangladesh probe into Hasina-era abuses warns 'impunity' remains
A Bangladesh government-appointed commission investigating hundreds of disappearances by the security forces under ousted premier Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 23, 2025) warned that the same "culture of impunity" continues.
The Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances is probing abuses during the rule of Ms. Hasina, whose government was accused of widespread human rights abuses.
That includes the extrajudicial killing of hundreds of political opponents and the unlawful abduction and disappearance of hundreds more.
The commission was established by interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, 84, who is facing intense political pressure as parties jostle for power ahead of elections expected early next year.
Bangladesh has a long history of military coups and the army retains a powerful role.
"Enforced disappearances in Bangladesh were not isolated acts of wrongdoing, but the result of a politicised institutional machinery that condoned, normalised, and often rewarded such crimes," the commission said, in a section of a report released by the interim government on Monday.
"Alarmingly, this culture of impunity continues even after the regime change on August 5, 2024".
The commission has verified more than 250 cases of enforced disappearances spanning the 15 years that Ms. Hasina's Awami League was in power.
Commission chief Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury said earlier this month that responsibility lay with individual officers, who were "involved in conducting enforced disappearances", but not the armed forces as an institution.
Earlier this month, a joint statement by rights groups — including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch — called on the security forces to "fully cooperate with the commission by guaranteeing unfettered and ongoing access to all detention centres... and providing free access to records regarding those seized or detained".
Ms. Hasina (77) remains in self-imposed exile in India, where she fled after she was ousted last year.
She has defied orders to return to Dhaka to face charges amounting to crimes against humanity. Her trial in absentia continues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — June 24, 2025
The aggressor America's bombing of Iran has simply proved that U.S. President Donald Trump cannot be trusted in negotiations. Mr. Trump is under the illusion that might is good enough to overcome established order and norms. A bombastic Mr. Trump's credibility as a leader is at a low ebb. A man who is craving for the Nobel Peace Prize has overnight become a 'warmonger' and 'globalist aggressor'. New Delhi must be keenly observant of Pakistan trying to cosy up to Mr. Trump. C.G. Kuriakose, Kothamangalam, Kerala Adivasi identity The Census plays an extremely crucial role, through data collection, for policymaking and understanding population trends. The weak and the poor, the neglected and the voiceless have the first right on welfare measures, schemes and support ('Opinion' page, 'Recognising Adivasi identity in the Census', June 23). There is already a very wide gap between the urban and rural regions. Development and progress would meet their objectives only if there is even growth. Economic growth, revenue realisation and trade would be meaningless if the voiceless are left out. Balasubramaniam Pavani, Secunderabad ED notice to advocates It is shocking that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to senior advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal for legal opinion. They were only exercising their professional right. The notices were withdrawn after strong protests by the Bar. Mr. Datar at one point was considered for direct elevation as a Supreme Court judge. He is a pre-eminent tax lawyer and has appeared in High Courts apart from the Supreme Court and argued matters of constitutional importance. He has written three volumes on the Constitution of India. This has to be mentioned in order to highlight how the ED has exceeded its power and authority. The entire Bar is aghast and slighted by the ED's actions. Its conduct undermines the dignity and the autonomy of the profession, thereby undermining the rule of law itself. N.G.R. Prasad, Chennai
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
Bangladesh probe into Hasina-era abuses warns 'impunity' remains
A Bangladesh government-appointed commission investigating hundreds of disappearances by the security forces under ousted premier Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 23, 2025) warned that the same "culture of impunity" continues. The Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances is probing abuses during the rule of Ms. Hasina, whose government was accused of widespread human rights abuses. That includes the extrajudicial killing of hundreds of political opponents and the unlawful abduction and disappearance of hundreds more. The commission was established by interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, 84, who is facing intense political pressure as parties jostle for power ahead of elections expected early next year. Bangladesh has a long history of military coups and the army retains a powerful role. "Enforced disappearances in Bangladesh were not isolated acts of wrongdoing, but the result of a politicised institutional machinery that condoned, normalised, and often rewarded such crimes," the commission said, in a section of a report released by the interim government on Monday. "Alarmingly, this culture of impunity continues even after the regime change on August 5, 2024". The commission has verified more than 250 cases of enforced disappearances spanning the 15 years that Ms. Hasina's Awami League was in power. Commission chief Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury said earlier this month that responsibility lay with individual officers, who were "involved in conducting enforced disappearances", but not the armed forces as an institution. Earlier this month, a joint statement by rights groups — including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch — called on the security forces to "fully cooperate with the commission by guaranteeing unfettered and ongoing access to all detention centres... and providing free access to records regarding those seized or detained". Ms. Hasina (77) remains in self-imposed exile in India, where she fled after she was ousted last year. She has defied orders to return to Dhaka to face charges amounting to crimes against humanity. Her trial in absentia continues.
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Days after recommending Trump for the Nobel Prize, Pakistan condemns the US strike on Iran
Pakistan has condemned the United States' recent strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, a day after Islamabad backed Donald Trump as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
