On the occasion of ‘International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances’ to be observed tomorrow, August 30, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement on August 29.

In the statement, he said: “Since 2011, August 30 has been observed worldwide every year as the ‘International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.’ On this day, we remember with deep respect those who have been victims of enforced disappearances and express our heartfelt sympathy to their families. The pain of losing a loved one is unbearably difficult—something that no one except the victims themselves can truly comprehend. Many families of the disappeared, having lost all trace of their loved ones, continue to live in unbearable suffering and mental trauma. Many households have been devastated. Even after years of disappearance, the fate of many still remains unknown.”

He further said: “Even in today’s so-called civilized world, countless people in different countries are subjected to enforced disappearances under the wrath of tyrannical rulers. Bangladesh is no exception. According to information from various national and international human rights organizations, during the rule of fascist Sheikh Hasina, more than 700 people—including opposition political leaders and activists as well as members of different walks of the society—have been victims of enforced disappearances. In a heinous attempt to silence dissenting voices, fascist Sheikh Hasina has created ‘Aaina Ghor’ by abducting her opponents, subjecting them to some of the most horrific forms of torture and repression in history—acts beyond imagination. To keep someone disappeared for years in this way is not only an injustice but also an extreme violation of human rights and international law.”

He also added: “Although former Brigadier General Abdullahil Amaan Azmi and Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Ahmad bin Quasem Arman have returned after 8 long years, many others remain disappeared—among them Jamaat leader Hafez Zakir Hossain; Islami Chhatrashibir leaders of Islamic University Al-Moqaddas and Mohammad Waliullah; and BNP leaders Mr. Ilias Ali and former commissioner Chowdhury Alam.”

“We hope that the incumbent interim government will urgently trace the disappeared persons, return them to their families, and ensure exemplary punishment by bringing to justice those involved in such heinous crimes as enforced disappearance.”