Unlawful and Disappearances Detentions in Bangladesh

The use of unlawful detention and disappearance has become the tactic of choice in Bangladesh for dealing with anyone deemed a threat, including political enemies of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These practices are a violation of due process and are a mockery of Bangladesh’s laws.

In June, nearly 15,000 people were arrested in response to attacks by militants who killed more than 40 writers, openly gay men, foreigners and members of religious minorities. The arrests, however, seem aimed less at bringing the real culprits to justice than in cracking down on Ms. Hasina’s political opponents. Her government has admitted that only some 194 of the thousands arrested were confirmed militants.

Similar motives lie behind the killing of 22 people in June “shootouts” involving Bangladeshi law enforcement. Among the victims were two student opposition political leaders.

Unlawful detentions and disappearances have become routine in Bangladesh. Authorities act with impunity even when under the international spotlight. Such is the case with Tahmid Khan and Hasnat Karim, who survived a terrorist attack at a restaurant in Dhaka on July 1 and then disappeared after being detained by authorities. The police now admit they have the two in custody, but have produced no evidence either man is guilty of involvement in the attack.

Earlier this month, two other men, Mir Ahmed Bin Qasem and Hummam Qader Chowdhury, were picked up in Dhaka by men in plainclothes, one plucked from his car, the other from his home. Authorities deny either one is in custody, but both men are sons of prominent opposition political leaders and their disappearance smacks of political vendetta.

A thorough reform of law enforcement in Bangladesh is in order. A good place to start would be to release all those detained without charge or a magistrate’s order after 24 hours, as Bangladeshi law requires. The use of plainclothes officers, in an attempt to disguise official involvement, plus a failure to punish police and intelligence officers who participate in such abuses, feeds a culture of impunity. As Ms. Hasina struggles with the militant threat, it is crucial to restore faith in the rule of law.

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