We call for the return of the disappeared to their families, and remind the Bangladeshi authorities of their responsibility to fully investigate and ensure justice for these crimes. Bangladesh has ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC; therefore it legally recognizes enforced disappearance as an international crime, and is bound to ensure accountability.
Proactive response from the Special Procedures and the Council is expected to enable states to dismantle structures that facilitate slavery and degradation of rights, and to rebuild the justice systems needed to protect lives and the dignity of all persons
I concur that there is no one swift solution to the terror, the trauma, the deprivation and neglect that drive so many millions of people to leave all that they have, and all they have ever known. To restore human rights in their homelands will take long and focused work.
Indonesia’s present government also does not have any plans to work on the issue of disappearances. Moreover, the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) does not regulate and prosecute enforced disappearances.
Ask the Government of India to not utilize the Supreme court granted exception of entering manholes in special cases with prior written orders from the Chief Executive Officer of the concerned civic body(with full protective gears). Instead, adoption of scientific technology to clean sewers must be introduced by the Government of India.
The Bangladesh Judiciary has contributed to the recurrence of enforced disappearances by abdicating its constitutional authority and responsibility to guarantee the right to life and personal liberty of persons.
It is tragic that the circumstances of human rights abuse victims in Indonesia are totally different to that of the alleged perpetrators. The perpetrators have never been brought to court and are enjoying transitional democracy by establishing political parties and running for elections.
Increasing the height of the dam in these circumstances will endanger the survival of around 40,000 families still awaiting alternative land, livelihood, and housing at resettlement sites.
In areas outside Dhaka, other commemorations were also met with threats and police deployment. However, with the support of local civil society activists, the families of the disappeared went ahead with the events, and commemorations were successfully held in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rajbari district among others.
Human rights defenders also face particular challenges when taking up cases of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. They are subjected to intimidation and threats, including surveillance and harassment by State intelligence services, law-enforcement agencies, and political cadres of the ruling party.
