Experts warn that without inclusive elections and security sector reforms, instability may persist. The interim government has promised lasting changes, including disbanding abusive units and ensuring perpetrators face justice.

Bangladesh’s interim government has approved the withdrawal of a longstanding reservation to a key United Nations human rights treaty, opening the door for victims of enforced disappearances and torture to seek compensation and rehabilitation. This move, announced following a meeting of the advisory council chaired by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to addressing one of its most egregious human rights issues.

The decision targets Article 14(1) of the UN convention against torture (CAT), which Bangladesh ratified in 1998 but with a reservation that limited victims’ rights to redress. For decades, this has hindered justice for those affected by state-sponsored abuses, including families of the disappeared who lost loved ones. Human rights advocates have hailed the withdrawal as “historic,” noting it will enhance accountability, transparency, and Bangladesh’s standing in the international community.

Legacy of Terror

Enforced disappearances have plagued Bangladesh for years, particularly during the 15-year tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in August 2024 amid widespread protests. According to human rights organizations, these acts were systematic, often carried out by security forces like the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Detective Branch, and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Victims, including political opponents, activists, journalists, and academics, were abducted, held in secret detention centres, tortured, and in many cases, never seen again.

A report by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, established by the interim government in August 2024, has uncovered shocking details. Out of 1,913 complaints received, 1,569 were verified as enforced disappearances, with 287 classified as “missing and dead.” The commission estimates the total number could range from 4,000 to 6,000, describing the acts as “primarily political”. Secret facilities, such as the infamous “Aynaghar” (House of Mirrors) within DGFI headquarters, were used for prolonged detention and torture.

Human rights groups like Odhikar documented 709 cases between 2009 and June 2024, with 155 individuals still missing. Many victims were released only after weeks or months, often facing fabricated charges, while others were extrajudicially killed. Families endured years of anguish.

Legal Actions Gain Momentum

The interim government’s response has been swift. The commission has released partial findings, including a documentary titled “Unfolding the Truth” that features harrowing survivor accounts. In October 2025, charges were filed against 28 individuals, including Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, for enforced disappearances, secret detention, and torture as crimes against humanity. Arrest warrants targeted high-ranking military officers, both former and serving.

This was the first time enforced disappearances were formally recognized as a crime in Bangladesh, following the ratification of the international convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance in August 2024 and amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. The commission’s work has drawn over 1,850 complaints, revealing that hundreds were presumed killed in custody.

Fortify Rights and other organizations have urged the government to provide reparations and ensure no repeat of such atrocities. The inquiry marks the first anniversary in August 2025, emphasising the need for extended mandates to achieve full truth and justice.

Calls for Fair Trials

The United Nations has welcomed these developments. UN human rights chief Volker Türk described the prosecutions as a “significant moment” for victims, stressing the importance of fair trials and due process. Human Rights Watch noted the charges as a step toward justice after years of impunity. Amnesty International and others have long documented the crisis, calling for the disbandment of units like RAB.

Critics accuse the interim government of failing to protect minorities and civil rights, amid allegations of arbitrary arrests. The withdrawal of the CAT reservation is seen as a crucial reform, potentially aiding over 1,000 custody deaths and 677 disappearances reported during Hasina’s era.

As Bangladesh navigates its post-Hasina era, the focus shifts to rehabilitation. The compensation framework could benefit dependants of those who died, providing financial and psychological support. Experts warn that without inclusive elections and security sector reforms, instability may persist. The interim government has promised lasting changes, including disbanding abusive units and ensuring perpetrators face justice.