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Protest march proceeding toward the Jatiya Sangsad on International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances in Dhaka
Leaders across the 11-Party Alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami strongly criticized Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday during events marking International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, demanding the enactment of the previous interim government's ordinance into law and submitting a 14-point memorandum to Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
The day-long demonstrations were organized by the National Committee for the Prevention of Enforced Disappearances, led by former army officer and former "Aynaghor" detainee Hasinur Rahman, with widespread participation from leaders and activists across the 11-Party Alliance. The program began at 3:00 pm with a mass rally at the Banglamotor intersection in Dhaka, followed by a march toward the Jatiya Sangsad and a concluding demonstration in front of Manik Mia Avenue.
Addressing the Banglamotor gathering, Hasinur Rahman demanded swift justice for masterminds of enforced disappearances while sharply criticizing the Home Minister:
"You are deliberately steering the country toward crisis. You are framing legislation in a manner that obstructs victims from filing lawsuits. Why was there a need to dilute the comprehensive ordinance enacted by the interim government? The proposed draft is riddled with legal impediments. There is still time to rectify these provisions, or your seat of power will be destabilized."
The opening rally was also addressed by Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman, former ambassador Sakib Ali, former army officer Ferdous Aziz, 11-Party Alliance Coordinator AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Labor Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman. Akhtaruzzaman called for the immediate resignation of the Home Minister before trial proceedings proceed.
At around 3:45 pm, leaders and activists began their march from Banglamotor, traversing Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, and Khamarbari roundabout before reaching the pavement in front of the Jatiya Sangsad on Manik Mia Avenue. The procession featured placards condemning forced disappearances and echoed with slogans demanding accountability, the implementation of the referendum verdict, and justice for victims of fascism.
At the subsequent rally near the parliament premises, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar argued that vesting enforced disappearance investigations with regular police forces suggests the government seeks to retain mechanisms of state abduction:
"Entrusting enforced disappearance investigations to standard police officers indicates that this administration is laying the groundwork for future disappearances. To permanently prevent the return of abductions and killings, the interim government’s anti-disappearance ordinance must be retained. Those who perpetrate disappearances cannot be tasked with investigating themselves."
Alliance Coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad noted that the repeal of the interim government’s Enforced Disappearance and Human Rights Commission ordinances during the parliament's first session dismantled key legal protections, asserting that the BNP government's replacement draft fails to prevent state abuses. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed claimed the government intends to replicate past autocracies, demanding the immediate constitution of an autonomous Human Rights Commission in accordance with the July Charter.
Jamaat Member of Parliament Rafiqul Islam Khan alleged that the proposed bill is more regressive than legislation under the previous Awami League regime, while MP Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem (Arman) stated that the new bill would handicap the Human Rights Commission. National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Atiq Mujahid and Jamaat reserved seat MP Rokeya Begum reiterated that the opposition will actively fight the draft bill in parliament.
Following speeches by JAGPA Vice President Rashed Prodhan and other alliance figures, a formal delegation led by Hasinur Rahman—including Mia Golam Porwar and opposition lawmakers—entered the parliament complex to submit the 14-point memorandum. Outside, speakers including Khelafat Andolon Secretary General Mufti Fakhrul Islam, Development Party Secretary General Mizanul Haque, and Dhaka North Jamaat Ameer Selim Uddin continued addressing the crowd.
Emerging from the Jatiya Sangsad before 6:00 pm, Hasinur Rahman expressed satisfaction with their discussions with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, noting that the Speaker listened attentively to each point, voiced no dissent, and assured the delegation of his utmost efforts regarding their demands.
