President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has declared that there will be no more ‘mirror houses’ in independent Bangladesh. He also said that those involved in the disappearances, no matter how influential, will be brought to justice and the maximum punishment will be ensured.
The President made these remarks while addressing the chief guest at a program organized on the occasion of the ‘International Day for the Prevention of Enforced Disappearances-2026’ at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital on Sunday (August 30).
The President said that the horror of disappearances and secret detention centers, ‘Ainaghar’, once weighed heavily on Bangladesh. Many were abducted and disappeared just for protesting injustice or joining the movement for democratic rights. However, the state institutions of the time denied these serious allegations.
In his speech, the President recalled the missing BNP leaders Ilias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, Sajedul Islam Suman, Barrister Arman and retired Lieutenant General Ajmir. He also mentioned the incident of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who was present as a special guest at the event, being abducted and sent abroad.
Presenting the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances, the President said, “The picture emerging from the report is extremely horrific and shameful. The Commission has specifically identified 1,569 cases as disappearances. Of these, 287 people have been listed as missing or dead.”
According to the President, incidents such as the selective disappearance and murder of political opponents’ leaders and activists have been carried out for party and personal interests to keep state power in the pocket.
Highlighting the government’s various initiatives to prevent disappearances, he said that the ‘Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Bill, 2026’ has been introduced in the National Parliament to protect the victims of disappearances and their families and to stop such incidents in the future. Bangladesh has also signed the International Convention against Disappearances.
He also said that the trial of disappearances and genocide through the International Criminal Tribunal is being carried forward following international standards.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed was present as a special guest at the event, which was chaired by the Minister of Liberation War Affairs.