SS Report
Dhaka, 15 October 2025:
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has welcomed Bangladesh’s initiation of legal proceedings against individuals accused of enforced disappearances and torture under the previous government, calling it a “significant step towards accountability.”
Last week, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) formally charged several former and serving military officials—including ex-Directors-General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)—in two landmark cases involving alleged abuses at the Task Force for Interrogation Cell and the Joint Interrogation Cell. Arrest warrants have been issued, and the army confirmed detaining over a dozen officers.
“This marks the first time formal charges have been brought for enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. It is a significant moment for victims and their families,” said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
She urged authorities to uphold the highest standards of due process and ensure the safety of victims and witnesses. The OHCHR also called for the prompt production of detained officers before a civilian court.
The development follows Bangladesh’s ratification of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances in 2024 and amendments to the ICT Act.
Shamdasani further urged the government to resolve numerous pending cases, release those arbitrarily detained—including journalists and political opponents—and refrain from using the death penalty.
“A comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation, and justice is essential to address the legacy of human rights violations and ensure they are never repeated,” she said, urging continued adherence to international legal standards.
