The Advisory Council has approved the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance aimed at preventing and addressing enforced disappearances in the country.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was held on Thursday. Under the new ordinance, enforced disappearance has been defined as a continuous offense, and the maximum punishment for the crime has been set as the death penalty.
During a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that establishing or operating secret detention facilities, commonly known as “Aynaghar,” has been made a punishable offense. The ordinance also grants the National Human Rights Commission and a designated Investigation Commission the authority to receive and investigate complaints related to enforced disappearances.
According to the ordinance, trials of enforced disappearance cases must be completed within 120 days of forming charges at the tribunal. The law also ensures protection of victims and witnesses, compensation, and legal assistance for those affected.
The press secretary further mentioned that thousands of enforced disappearances occurred under previous governments. The Enforced Disappearance Commission has already received around two thousand complaints, and the actual number may exceed four thousand. The meeting also approved the list of public holidays for 2026.