Bangladesh has officially acceded to the United Nations’ International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The historic signing took place today, August 29, during the weekly meeting of the council of advisers, with Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus signing the convention.
“This is a historic occasion,” remarked Prof. Md Yunus, highlighting the significance of the event. The signing comes just one day before the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on August 30.
The convention, which was adopted by the United Nations on December 20, 2006, in New York, had not previously been ratified by Bangladesh. In a one-page statement issued by the chief adviser’s office, Professor Yunus declared, “On behalf of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, I, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, hereby declare that we are acceding to the above-mentioned convention and pledge to faithfully implement the terms and conditions therein. Signed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 29, 2024, on this instrument of accession.”
For years, Bangladesh has faced allegations of enforced disappearances, with numerous families claiming that their loved ones were forcibly taken. Advocacy groups such as ‘Mayer Daak’ (Mothers’ Call) have been vocal in their demands for justice.
Earlier this week, the Interim Government established a commission to investigate every case of enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by security forces during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule.