Country bears heavy responsibility for families of disappeared, says Tarique

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed solidarity with the family members of victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture, saying the prolonged wait for missing loved ones remains a major responsibility of the state.

He made the remarks while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with the families of those who fell victim to enforced disappearances during the Awami League regime.

The event was organised jointly by Mayer Daak and Amra BNP Paribar at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.

"Many children are still waiting, hoping that their disappeared fathers will one day knock on the door. Many mothers still live with the hope that their lost children will again call out 'Mother.' This waiting is a huge burden on the state," Tarique Rahman said.

He added that the pain endured by families affected by enforced disappearances and state violence was so deep that words of comfort were hard to find.

Calling on all people who believe in democracy to remain vigilant, the BNP leader warns that those trying to damage or obstruct democracy through controversies must not be allowed to succeed.

Referring to the period of fascist rule, Tarique Rahman said, "During the fascist regime, thousands of our leaders and activists were tortured, many were killed, and more than a thousand people were forcibly disappeared.

"Some family members of those who disappeared are present here today, while many are still waiting."

He notes that despite limitations, efforts continue to recover forcibly disappeared people.

Explaining the party's position, Tarique Rahman said, "In the name of strategy, BNP leaders and activists do not adopt secret or hidden identities. I firmly believe that a party whose leaders and activists take such an uncompromising stand against injustice cannot be suppressed through conspiracy or propaganda."

On the Election Commission, he said its recent role had sparked controversy. However, he added that, as a responsible political party, BNP chose patience.

Speaking on justice, he said, "Those who were martyred in 1971 for the country's independence, those martyred in the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, victims of enforced disappearances and killings over the last 16 years, and those martyred in the 2024 and August 5 movements -- Bangladesh must ensure justice for all, and for that, the country must have a democratic government in the days ahead."

He further stated that once a democratic government was formed, justice would be ensured for victims of enforced disappearances and state violence. State initiatives will also be taken to preserve the memory of martyrs and victims for future generations.

Tarique Rahman says that if BNP forms the government, important roads and key public and private institutions across the country will be named after the families of martyrs.

A very emotional moment arises during the programme when sons, daughters, and relatives of disappeared persons share their feelings and break down in tears.

"Years pass, but our father never comes back. More than a year has passed since August 5, yet we have not gotten anyone back," says teenage girl Hridhi, breaking down in tears.

Her father, Parvez Hossain, was forcibly disappeared from Shahbagh on December 2, 2013. Some families have lost fathers, sons, brothers, or husbands.

Tahsinah Rushdi Luna, wife of disappeared BNP leader Ilias Ali and adviser to the BNP chairperson, says families of forcibly disappeared or killed people have become guardianless.

She added that these families faced social and state harassment and urged Tarique Rahman to take initiatives to provide financial support.

Salahauddin Ahmed, a BNP standing committee member and a victim of enforced disappearance, says that according to official government records, 1,048 people have died in jail.

The Human Rights Commission lists 907 cases of enforced disappearance, while the Disappearance Commission reports that by 2024, a total of 1,850 people have been forcibly disappeared. Atikur Rahman Ruman, convener of Amra BNP Paribar, chaired the programme, while Mayer Daak chairperson Sanjida Islam Tuli moderated.

Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of former BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, BNP leaders Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Rashiduzzaman Millat, among others, also spoke.

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