The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances will be observed in Bangladesh on Sunday, as elsewhere in the world, highlighting the plight of people who have gone missing under mysterious or unlawful circumstances.
Marking the day, various human rights, political and social organisations will hold programmes to raise awareness and demand justice for the victims.
Under the slogan “Victims First. Actions Now”, the day puts victims and their rights to truth, justice and reparation at the centre, while calling on states and other stakeholders to take action to prevent enforced disappearances.
The United Nations (UN) observe August 30 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances since 2011, with the aim of raising global awareness of enforced disappearances, tracing missing people and showing solidarity with their families.
The day is also linked to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2006.
The convention seeks to prevent enforced disappearances and end impunity for those responsible for the crime. It entered into force in 2010.
Families of disappeared people, along with government and non-government organisations, observe the day through various programmes.
The main objective of the day is to highlight the grave human rights violations associated with enforced disappearances and press states to ensure accountability, justice and protection for victims and their families.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued a message on Saturday on the eve of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to be observed on Sunday.
In his message, the prime minister said enforced disappearance is one of the most serious crimes in the world and an extreme violation of human rights.
“It is a global problem, particularly in authoritarian systems and politically conflicted regions,” he said.
He further that a disappearance or abduction is far more than the loss of an individual, as it shatters the dreams, hopes and aspirations of an entire family.
“Relatives of disappeared people who continue to wait for their return spend their days in an uncertain reality, with no end in sight,” he said.
He also expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to victims of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh and around the world, as well as to their families.
Tarique Rahman called for global unity and solidarity to ensure justice and accountability for individuals and institutions involved in enforced disappearances.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged that his government would make its utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the struggles for independence, democracy and people’s rights.
“Despite various practical realities, we will make our utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives in 1971, those who were killed or suffered in different movements to establish democracy since independence, and those who were killed or injured in the July uprising,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a programme held at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon to hand over job appointment letters to members of families affected by enforced disappearances and killings and the July uprising.
He said the government would not retreat from its commitment despite the difficulties involved in implementing all expectations within the desired timeframe.