Govt successfully upheld human rights in six months: Salahuddin

"Six months have passed since we took over the responsibility of the government. Has anyone been a victim of enforced disappearance? Has anyone faced extrajudicial killing or political persecution? No, they haven't," he said. 

The Home Minister made these remarks this evening while addressing a panel discussion titled "A panel discussion to make the disappeared appear: Law, Justice, Accountability and Human Rights," organized by 'Maayer Daak' at the Bangladesh National Museum.

Reflecting on legislative initiatives to address past abuses, the Minister highlighted the newly introduced act which was recently placed in Parliament.

"We want to enact a law so that every victim receives remedy, can approach the court directly, and get justice while perpetrators are punished," he said. 

He explained that systematic and widespread enforced disappearances remain triable under the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act, while standard definitions, offenses, procedural rules under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and specific penalties -- up to life imprisonment or capital punishment if a body is recovered -- have been incorporated into the new legislation.

The Minister also noted that the bill includes provisions allowing legal heirs of disappeared persons to manage assets after five years with court permission, alongside state-backed compensation mechanisms if perpetrators fail to pay. 

"I am the Home Minister, and I am myself a victim of enforced disappearance. Why wouldn't I want a strong anti-disappearance law in Bangladesh? Governments change, but this law will remain," he said.

Addressing institutional reforms, Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the government has drafted an updated National Human Rights Commission Act tailored to international standards while fitting the national context. 

He added that the law enforcement agencies-which the administration inherited in a fragile state-are being continuously motivated, morally upgraded, and governed through a structured system of rewards and punishments. 

Addressing recent allegations regarding an incident in Mongla, Bagerhat involving an individual named Miraj Sheikh, the Minister dismissed claims of political involvement or state-sponsored disappearance. 

He reiterated that an independent cross-force inquiry was conducted and reassured that the government remains fully transparent and open to further independent investigations if required, reports BSS.

"We have proven our sincerity over these six months. I seek everyone's cooperation so that we can maintain the rule of law and uphold human rights for the rest of our tenure," he added.