Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Bangladesh

It first occurred after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's administration between 1972 and 1975. Many members of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, army officers and other opposition party members were picked up by Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini, an elite para-military force formed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.{{Cite book |title=Bangladesh - A Legacy of Blood |last=Mascarenhas |first=Anthony |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |year=1986 |isbn=0-340-39420-X |location=United Kingdom |pages=113}} It has continued since then and through the formation of Rapid Action Battalion. Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Since then, during her regime, around 402 people have been forcefully disappeared by the state security forces.{{Cite news |last=Safi |first=Michael |date=25 November 2017 |title=Bangladesh PM claims 'forced disappearances take place in UK and US' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/25/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-claims-forced-disappearances-take-place-in-uk-and-us |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |language=en}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/enforced-disappearances-1455982 |title=Enforced disappearances |type=Editorial |date=30 August 2017 |newspaper=The Daily Star}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/07/06/bangladesh-end-disappearances-and-secret-detentions |title=Bangladesh: End Disappearances and Secret Detentions |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}}{{cite news |url=http://www.newagebd.net/article/2268/300-victims-of-enforced-disappearance-in-bangladesh-since-2009:-ahrc |title=300 victims of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh since 2009: AHRC |date=7 November 2016 |newspaper=New Age (Bangladesh)}}{{cite news |author=Maaz Hussain |date=1 November 2016 |title=Enforced Disappearances Rise in Bangladesh |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/enforced-disappearances-rise-in-bangladesh/3574161.html |access-date=10 December 2016 |publisher=Voice of America}}{{cite web |url=http://1dgy051vgyxh41o8cj16kk7s19f2.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Statement_25.05.15_Eng.pdf |title=International Week of the Disappeared |date=25 May 2015 |work=Statement on the International Week of the Disappeared |publisher=Odhikar |access-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225723/http://1dgy051vgyxh41o8cj16kk7s19f2.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Statement_25.05.15_Eng.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/10/disappearances-surge-bangladesh-20141019124512338962.html |title='Forced disappearances' surge in Bangladesh |author=David Bergman |date=20 October 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}

After the Awami League party assumed power in the country through election in 2009, law and order situation began to deteriorate with opposition men being attacked by the ruling party men that left several opposition men killed and many others injured.{{cite news |title=Reluctance of law enforcers leads to increase in crimes |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-71693 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=11 December 2015}}{{cite news |title=Killing spate scales up sense of insecurity |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-92472 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=14 June 2009 |access-date=11 December 2015}}{{cite news |title=Editorial: Regrettable post-election incidents |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-69855 |work=The Daily Star |date=4 January 2009 |access-date=11 December 2015}} Armed conflicts and violence erupted in the university campuses throughout the country.{{cite news |title=Editorial: Once again, it is the BCL |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/cache/cached-news-details-129792.html |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=13 March 2010 |access-date=11 December 2015}} Political activities of the opposition parties were often attacked.{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/sca/136085.htm |title=2009 Human Rights Report: Bangladesh |date=11 March 2010 |publisher=US Department of State}} From 2010, picking up of opposition leaders and activists by the state security forces began to surge in the country.

Throughout most of 2013, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance observed nationwide general strikes and blockades in demand of a non-partisan interim government or a caretaker government to hold the next general election of 2014. The E.U., the U.S. and the Commonwealth announced that they would not send observers since they were concerned about the credibility of the election.{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/12/election-monitors-boycott-bangladesh-polls-2013122712914224624.html |title=Election monitors to boycott Bangladesh polls |publisher=Al Jazeera}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/violence-low-turnout-mar-elections-in-bangladesh/2014/01/05/9176b932-765b-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html |title=Violence, low turnout mar elections in Bangladesh |last=Alam |first=Julhas |date=5 January 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=27 May 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/world/asia/boycott-and-violence-mar-elections-in-bangladesh.html |title=Low Turnout in Bangladesh Elections Amid Boycott and Violence |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=6 January 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times}} Before the controversial national election of 2014, 20 opposition men were picked up by security forces.{{cite news |title=Cases of 'enforced Disappearances': Families want loved ones returned |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/families-ask-loved-ones-be-returned-1325197 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=5 December 2016}}{{cite news |date=5 December 2015 |title=ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE: Families call for return of 19 youths |url=http://newagebd.net/181606/enforced-disappearance-families-call-for-return-of-19-youths/ |newspaper=New Age (Bangladesh)}}{{cite book |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/bangladesh0414_ForUpload.pdf |title=Democracy in the Crossfire: Opposition Violence and Government Abuses in the 2014 Pre- and Post-Election Period in Bangladesh |date=April 2014 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |isbn=978-1-62313-1272}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/abduction-and-disappearance-making-the-state-accountable-22984 |title=Abduction and disappearance: Making the State accountable |date=7 May 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Star}} {{as of|2016}}, they remained missing.

From 2014 to July 2019, 344 people were victims of forced disappearance in Bangladesh. 40 of them were found dead, 66 were found under arrest in government custody and 203 still remain missing according to Ain o Salish Kendra. Those who have reappeared remained silent about the period they were missing.{{Cite news |date=22 February 2020 |title=Missing RAB officer returns after 1.5 years |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2020/02/22/missing-ex-rab-co-returns-after-16-months |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

{{Main|Disappearance of Ilias Ali}}

On 17 April 2012, Ilias Ali, was a former Member of Parliament and prominent leader of the main opposition party BNP, went missing after last being seen in Banani, Dhaka at midnight with his driver.{{cite news |title=Ilias Ali, driver go missing |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-230731 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=19 April 2012 |access-date=11 December 2015}}{{cite news |title=Ilyas Ali, Bangladesh Politician, Kidnapping Sparks Bangladesh Crisis |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/elias-ali-kidnapped-bangladesh-politician_n_1502834.html |newspaper=HuffPost |date=9 May 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-17813091 |title=Strike turns violent in Bangladeshi town of Sylhet |date=23 April 2012 |work=BBC News}} His private car was found abandoned near his Dhaka home. In the following days, five of his party men died and many were injured as they observed strikes and demonstration programs in protest of the disappearance. The incident got much media coverage.

Aminul Islam, a Bangladeshi trade unionist, was a member of Bangladesh Garment & Industrial Workers Federation and an organizer for the Bangladesh Center of Worker Solidarity.{{ cite news |first = Julfikar Ali Manik |last=Vikas Bajaj | title = Killing of Bangladeshi Labor Organizer Signals an Escalation in Violence | newspaper = The New York Times | location = New York | date = 9 April 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/world/asia/bangladeshi-labor-organizer-is-found-killed.html}} On 5 April 2012, Islam's dead body was found near Dhaka after being disappeared earlier.{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Yardley |title=Fighting for Bangladesh Labor, and Ending Up in Pauper's Grave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/world/asia/killing-of-bangladesh-labor-leader-spotlights-grievances-of-workers.html |work=The New York Times |date=9 September 2012}} The body bore marks of torture. His disappearance and murder sparked much international criticism.

In August 2016, sons of three opposition leaders were picked up by Bangladesh security forces and were taken to unknown places. The victims were a former brigadier-general of the Bangladesh Army Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, son of Ghulam Azam; Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury; and Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, son of Mir Quasem Ali.{{cite news |title=Concern over missing sons of Bangladeshi politicians |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/concern-missing-sons-bangladeshi-politicians-160829095028714.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=29 August 2016 |author=David Bergman}} Amaan Azmi was forcedly picked up from his residence in front of his family members. In all three cases, there were multiple witnesses, but the state police denied their involvements in the abductions.{{cite news |title=UN demands Dhaka action on enforced disappearances |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/demands-action-bangladesh-enforced-disappearances-170224155406745.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=25 February 2017 |author=David Bergman}} Later, the United Nations expressed concern over the abductions of three men, and urged the Sheikh Hasina's government to check the increasing number of cases of forced disappearances in the country. Hummam Quader Chowdhury returned home in March 2017 and reported that he could not "remember" who detained him.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/crime/2017/03/03/hummam-quader-cannot-remember-anything/ |title=Hummam Quader cannot remember anything about abduction |date=3 March 2017 |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=26 August 2019}} In August 2024, Amaan Azmi and Mir Ahmad were released from Aynaghor after the fall of Sheikh Hasina´s regime.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-08-06 |title=Amaan Azmi, Arman released after 8-yr captivity |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/axj3uuswcp |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=Prothom Alo |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-08-06 |title=DGFI says update on 'Aynaghor' hostages tomorrow morning |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/dgfi-says-update-aynaghor-hostages-tomorrow-morning-3670651 |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}

A prosecution witness who was abducted allegedly by plainclothed police on 5 November 2012 from the gate of Supreme Court after he had decided to testify in favour of an accused war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayedee, who at the time was being tried before the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh. He was later traced to Kolkata's Dumdum prison.{{Cite news |url=http://archive.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/may/20/hc-gives-2-weeks-submit-bali%E2%80%99s-whereabouts |title=HC gives 2 weeks to submit Bali's whereabouts |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=12 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009092638/http://archive.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/may/20/hc-gives-2-weeks-submit-bali%E2%80%99s-whereabouts |archive-date=9 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}

Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem was a victim of enforced disappearance and was believed to have been abducted by security forces of the government of Bangladesh. He is the son of late Mir Quasem Ali, a prominent leader of the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and was a member of his father's legal defence team before his abduction.

Mir Ahmad was reportedly snatched from in front of his family members at his house in Mirpur, Dhaka during the night on 9 August 2016. Mir Ahmad was released on 6 August 2024, the very next day after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh following popular protests. Pictures shared on social media by family members showed him embracing his mother and two daughters.

• Tushar Islam Tipu: Abducted on 22 July 2008 by Rapid Action Battalion, Tipu's family sought help from home ministry of Bangladesh who later issued a letter to authorities in November 2012 to carry out the investigation. But there was no progress on the investigation on his whereabouts.{{cite news |title=WHY? |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/why-39428 |work=The Daily Star}}

• Habibul Hawlader: A fisherman from Morelganj in Bagerhat was abducted on 6 June 2011.{{Cite news |title=Even 'crossfire' not this worse |work=The Daily Star |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=213630 |date=11 December 2011}}
• KM Shamim Akhter: Former vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, a student wing of Bangladesh communist party was abducted on 29 September 2011. He was picked from his home at Purana Paltan area.

• Waliullah and Muqaddas: On 5 February 2012 approximately at 1.00 a.m. Al Mukaddas (22), fourth-year student of the Department of Al Fiqah and Mohammad Waliullah (23), a Masters candidate of Dawah and Islamic Studies Department of Islamic University, Bangladesh were allegedly arrested and disappeared by some persons who identified themselves as RAB-4 and DB Police members from Savar.{{Cite web |title=Odhikar - Two persons were disappeared after being arrested at Savar allegedly by RAB and DB Police |url=http://odhikar.org/two-persons-were-disappeared-after-being-arrested-at-savar-allegedly-by-rab-and-db-police/ |access-date=7 August 2017 |website=odhikar.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh: Enforced disappearance of Messrs. Al Mukaddas and Mohammad Waliullah / May 23, 2012 / Urgent Interventions / Urgent campaigns / OMCT |url=http://www.omct.org/urgent-campaigns/urgent-interventions/bangladesh/2012/05/d21920/ |access-date=7 August 2017 |website=omct.org |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005024223/http://www.omct.org/urgent-campaigns/urgent-interventions/bangladesh/2012/05/d21920/ |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |date=21 February 2012 |title=Two 'missing' IU students still untraced |language=en |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-223251 |access-date=7 August 2017}} Both were members of the Islamic student organization Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir.{{Cite web |title=Students still missing after one and a half years since arrest |url=http://progressbangladesh.com/still-missing-after-one-and-a-half-years/ |access-date=7 August 2017 |website=Progress Bangladesh |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=PM's intervention sought to find out two missing IU students |work=The Daily Observer |url=http://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=77715 |access-date=7 August 2017}}{{Cite news |title=PM's intervention sought as two IU students remain missing for 5 years |language=en |work=The New Nation |url=http://m.thedailynewnation.com/news/135708/pms-intervention-sought-as-two-iu-students-remain-missing--for-5--years |access-date=7 August 2017 |archive-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505183822/http://m.thedailynewnation.com/news/135708/pms-intervention-sought-as-two-iu-students-remain-missing--for-5--years |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |date=8 February 2012 |title=2 missing after being 'picked up' by Rab |language=en |work=The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-221538 |access-date=7 August 2017}} Amnesty International along with other rights organizations expressed their concern over this issue and called for urgent action.
• Dinar: Dinar was the General Secretary of Chhatra Dal of Sylhet district. He was picked up in March 2012.{{Cite news |title=Rise in 'forced disappearance' |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2014/03/04/rise-in-forced-disappearance |date=4 March 2014}}
• Juned: He was friend of Dinar and Sylhet Chhatra Dal member. He was picked up along with Dinar.{{Cite news |script-title=bn:৭ বছরেও ফেরেননি সিলেটের ছাত্রদল নেতা দিনার-জুনেদ |url=https://mzamin.com/article.php?mzamin=166930 |access-date=2023-08-27 |work=Manab Zamin |language=bn}}
• Mohammad Imam Hassan: Son of a street hawker. He was kidnapped in 2012 and was rescued the next day by Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion but the paramilitary force still has not freed the man.

• Nizam Uddin Munna: He was picked up from his house in 2013. His father alleged that Rapid Action Battelion picked his son.
• Khalid Hasan Sohel: Khali Hasan Sohel was the president of Bangladesh Nationalist Party's student wing, Chhatra Dal of Dhaka ward 89. He was picked up by law enforcement agencies in 2013.
• Mofizul Islam Rashed: Leader of Chhatra Dal, a student wing of Bangladesh Nationalists Party was picked up in front of Diamond Garment on Mirpur Mazar Road in April 2013. His family says people who picked him up were dressed like members of Detective Branch (DB) police.
• Jakir Hossain: Jakir Hossain was picked up by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-2 from his residence at the capital's Adabar thana on 2 April 2013 at midnight. He was a member of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir and acting president of the Adabar thana unit under Dhaka City West branch. He was student of a Dental Institute in Dhaka.{{Cite web|script-title=bn:শিবির সভাপতি হাফেজ জাকির হোসেনের স্মরণে দোয়া অনুষ্ঠান {{!}} TimeNewsBD.com|url=http://www.timenewsbd.net/news/printnews/103012|access-date=26 December 2017|website=www.timenewsbd.net|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226234653/http://www.timenewsbd.net/news/printnews/103012|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|script-title=bn:গুম খুন আওয়ামী অপরাজনীতির কবর রচনা করবে -শিবির সেক্রেটারি জেনারেল|language=bn|work=The Daily Sangram|url=http://www.dailysangram.com/post/182713-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87--%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2|access-date=26 December 2017}}{{Cite news|date=2 March 2014|script-title=bn:ছাত্রশিবিরের আট জন নেতার খোঁজ পাবে কি তার সাথীরা|language=bn|work=Shibir Online Library|url=https://www.icsbook.info/922/shibir|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226182305/https://www.icsbook.info/922/shibir|url-status=dead}}
• Mohammad Anwarul Islam: On 5 April 2013 at around 2:25am, members of Rapid Action Battalion-5 arrested Mr. Mohammad Anwarul Islam and Mosammat Nurjahan Begum of Angariapara village in Chapainawabganj from house number 175 of Bil-Shimla Moholla under Rajpara Police Station in Rajshahi district. Later, when family members contacted the RAB-5 office, RAB notified that Anwarul had never been arrested by them. An allegation of enforced disappearance was brought against the members of RAB by Anwarul's family members. Upon inquiry, it was found that Anwarul was a last year Master's student of Mathematics department of Rajshahi College. Moreover, he was the Office Secretary of the Islami Chattra Shibir of Rajshahi district.{{cite news |title=Arrest and enforced disappearance of Mohammad Anwarul Islam by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members |website=Odhikar |url=http://odhikar.org/arrest-and-enforced-disappearance-of-mohammad-anwarul-islam-by-rapid-action-battalion-rab-members/ |access-date=31 August 2014}}
• Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan Parvez, Narayanganj district Jubo League publicity secretary, was picked up from Gulshan by members of Detective Branch on 6 July 2013 and never seen again.{{Cite news |date=2019-03-06 |title=A never-ending probe |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/taqi-murder-never-ending-probe-1711210 |access-date=2021-04-12 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}
• Khaled Hasan Sohel: Sohel was the president of BNP local unit in Sutrapur, Old Dhaka. He was picked up when he went to Dhaka Central Jail to meet his friends who were imprisoned on 28 November 2013.
• Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Masum: He was abducted on 4 December 2013. Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Masum was studying in final year in Government of Titumir College and was preparing to get into National Security Intelligence.{{cite news |title=Picked up, they never return |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/picked-up-they-never-return-39283 |work=The Daily Star |date=30 August 2014}}
• Sajedul Islam Sumon and 7 others: He was picked up by Rapid Action Battalion on 4 December 2013 while he was spending time with six of his friends in Bashundhara residential area. A witness said that around 15 RAB member picked him up along with six of his friends around 8:00 PM. Sajedul was the general secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist party of ward-38 of Dhaka city unit. Six of friends were Zahidul Karim Tanvir, Mazharul Islam Russel, Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Masum, Asaduzzaman Rana, Al Amin, Adnan Chowdhury and Kawsar Ahmed.{{cite news |title=Families numbed by state's silence |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/families-numbed-states-silence-182119 |work=The Daily Star |date=4 December 2015}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/12/04/missing-three-years-fingers-pointed-rab/ |title=Missing for three years, fingers pointed at RAB |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=4 December 2016 |language=en-US |access-date=11 December 2016}}
• Adnan Chowdhury: Adnan along with his companion, Kawsar were picked up by law enforcement agencies from their houses in Shaheenbagh on 4 December 2013. Adnan's family described that seven to eight people entered their house and took away their son saying that they need Adnan for interrogation. There were two vehicles outside of their house, one of which had the RAB logo on it as witnessed by his family.
• Kawsar Hossain: Kawsar who worked as a private car driver went missing on 4 December 2013. He was abducted by members of Rapid Action Battalion at midnight from his residence.{{Cite news |title=Many victims, one story, one demand |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2014/08/30/many-victims-one-story-one-demand |date=30 August 2014}}
• Parvez Hossain: Leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, a student wing of Bangladesh Nationalists party was abducted in December 2013 and have been missing since then.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/take-steps-bring-them-back-1246324 |title=Take steps to bring them back |work=The Daily Star}}
• Selim Reza Mintu: Abducted in 2013, he was a businessman by profession. He was involved with politics of Bangladesh Nationalist Party's student wing. As witnessed by his family, Mintu was abducted around 1:30 am on 11 December 2013 by group seven to eight people who identified themselves as administrators.{{Cite news|last=Khan|first=Mohammad Jamil|date=10 December 2014|title=The unending woes of uncertainty|work=Dhaka Tribune|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2014/12/10/the-unending-woes-of-uncertainty}}

• Kazi Rakibul Hasan Shaon: Kazi Rakibul Hasan Shaon is son of Kazi Abdul Matin, who fought against Pakistan in Bangladesh Liberation War and also was the body guard of Bangladesh's father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He went missing on 24 March 2014. Exact date is not known. He was the organizing secretary of Awami League's student wing, Chhatra League of Comilla Victoria College unit.{{cite news |title=Help us |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/help-us-1276504 |work=The Daily Star |date=27 June 2016}}
• Nazrul Islam: Teacher of Joypurhat Talimul Islam School and College was abducted on 11 April 2014.
• Shahnoor Alam: Shahnoor Alam, a trader from Brahmanbaria district was picked up by Rapid Action Battalion 14 on 29 April 2014 from his home in Nabinagar. He was tortured by Rapid Action Battalion and later died of wound in Comilla District Jail on 6 May few days later. Mehedi, younger brother of Alam, on 1 June filed a case with Magistrate Nazmun Nahar's court in Brahmanbaria. The court ordered the police to probe the case, but the magistrate was withdrawn the following day.{{cite news |title=They want justice |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/they-want-justice-54772 |work=The Daily Star}}

• Anisur Rahman Talukder Khokon: Former organizing secretary of Chhatra Dal, was picked up by law enforcers from his home in Adabar area on 5 March 2015. He was later found under police custody in Faridpur.{{Cite news |title=Missing JCD leader reportedly found in police custody |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=http://archive.dhakatribune.com/politics/2015/jun/15/missing-jcd-leader-reportedly-found-police-custody}}
• Mozahar Hossain Kantu: He was abducted from his home in March 2015. Mozahar was the leader of Awami league in Satkhira and an ex former assistant public prosecutor. He was abducted after he accused a newly elected upazila chairman, Sheikh Waheduzzaman of vote rigging.{{Cite news |title=AL leader 'missing' after complain on party mate |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=http://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/mar/22/al-leader-missing-after-complain-party-mate}}

• Tanvir Hasan Zoha: When the news of Bangladesh Bank heist hit the local media in March 2016, Tanvir Ahmed Zoha, an IT specialist in an interview to Bangla Tribune said that transfer of $81M from Bangladesh Bank to the Philippines occurred because of involvement from someone inside Bangladesh Bank.{{cite web |title=Interview of IT specialist Tanvir Hasan Zoha |website=YouTube |date=17 March 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-PW8ptDypo}} After his comment on Bangladesh Bank, he went missing the next day on 16 March 2016. He and his friend were abducted by unknown people who picked them up in a microbus when Zoha and his friend were returning home by CNG auto rickshaw.{{cite news |title=IT expert Zoha goes missing |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/mar/17/it-expert-zoha-goes-missing |work=Dhaka Tribune}}{{cite news |title='IT expert' Zoha goes missing |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/it-expert-zoha-goes-missing-1043293 |work=The Daily Star |date=17 March 2016}} He was found after six days of disappearance.{{cite news |title=Zoha found six days after disappearance |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/mar/23/law-enforcers-discover-zoha-airport-area |work=Dhaka Tribune}}
• Mizanur Rahman Sohag: Mizanur Rahman Sohag, a friend of murdered Sohagi Jahan Tonu's brother Anwar Hossain went missing on 28 March 2016. His family claimed that he was picked by unknown person who identified themselves as members of law enforcement agencies.{{cite news |title=Friend of Tonu's brother missing for 7 days |url=http://www.en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/100431/Friend-of-Tonu%E2%80%99s-brother-missing-for-7-days |newspaper=Prothom Alo |date=3 April 2016}} He was found after 16 days of disappearance by his paternal uncle near his home.{{cite news |title=Sohag shows up after 16 days |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/apr/12/sohag-shows-after-16-days |work=Dhaka Tribune}}
• Abduction of three siblings: Three brothers Tikkah Sardar, Ershad Miah and Saddam Hossain were abducted from their home in Pabna on 11 May 2016. 10 to 12 armed men claiming themselves as members of Rapid Action Battalion entered their house and picked them up as witnessed by Abdul Karim, father of three siblings who went missing.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/disappearance-panic-spreads-pabna-villages-1229449 |title=Disappearance panic spreads in Pabna villages |work=The Daily Star |date=26 May 2016}}
• Muhammed Iqbal Mahmud: A medical officer of Health Services in Bangladesh.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/missing-38-days-1318252 |title=Missing for 38 days! |date=22 November 2016 |newspaper=The Daily Star |type=Editorial |access-date=11 December 2016}} He was abducted by plain clothed men to a microbus on 15 October 2016 from Science Laboratory intersection in Dhaka. CCTV footage of the incident went on viral where a police van was seen following the microbus.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/11/20/doctor-abduction-hc-issues-rule/ |title=Doctor abduction: HC issues rule {{!}} Dhaka Tribune |date=20 November 2016 |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |language=en-US |access-date=11 December 2016}}

• Ishrak Ahmed Fahim: On 29 August 2017, Fahim, 19-year-old student at McGill University disappeared from Dhaka while returning home from Star Kabab in Dhanmondi.{{Cite news |date=29 August 2017 |title=Canadian university student goes missing from Dhaka |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/canadian-university-student-goes-missing-dhaka-1455874 |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=A wretched mother's appeal to the Prime Minister - National |url=https://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=140979 |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=The Daily Observer}}
• M Maroof Zaman: On 4 December 2017, Ambassador Zaman disappeared on his way to the airport. He returned home 467 days later.{{Cite news |date=16 March 2019 |title=Missing former envoy Maroof Zaman returns home after 467 days |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2019/03/16/ex-envoy-maroof-zaman-returns-home-after-467-days |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

• Momin Mehedi: On 15 March 2018, Mehedi, chairman of a political party called Natun Dhara Bangladesh was abducted from Dhaka. He was returned nine days later. He was tortured, his head shaved off, and he was asked if he worked for a foreign intelligence agency.{{Cite news |date=25 March 2018 |title=Missing NDB chairman Mehedi returns home |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/03/25/missing-ndb-chairman-mehedi-returns-home |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}
• Colonel Hasinur Rahman: On 8 August 2018, Hasinur, Bangladesh Army officer and former Rapid Action Battalion, was picked up from home in Mirpur DOHS by alleged members of Detective Branch of Police. He was dismissed from the army over his alleged links to militants. He was found in February 2020, he was speaking incoherently.
• Mashiur Rahman Rony: on 15 September, Rony, president of Narayanganj District unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal was a victim of enforce disappearance by alleged members of Detective Branch from Dhaka according to his family at a press conference at the Narayanganj Press Club.{{Cite news |date=2018-09-17 |title=Narayanganj JCD president goes missing |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/narayanganj-jcd-president-goes-missing-1634848 |access-date=2022-12-15 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}} After the press conference, Rony was produced before a court by Fatulla police where Rony alleged he was tortured by the Detective Branch.{{Cite news |title=N'ganj JCD leader produced before court after two days of missing |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/50877/onelink.to/articlelist/323/onelink.to/index.php |access-date=2022-12-15 |work=New Age |language=en}}

• Ataur Rahman Shahin: On 2 May 2019, Shahin, an IT professional, was picked up in an unmarked van and forcefully disappeared. He was returned three months later.{{Cite news |title=Four abducted persons remain missing for long |url=https://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=205904 |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=The Daily Observer}}{{Cite news |title=IT specialist abducted from Tejgaon |url=https://en.banglatribune.com/others/news/44325/IT-specialist-abducted-from-Tejgaon |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=Bangla Tribune |language=en}}
• Hafizur Rahman Hafiz: On 20 November 2019, Hafiz, a senior lawyer, went missing in Lalmonirhat District.{{Cite news |date=20 November 2019 |title=Senior advocate goes missing in Lalmonirhat |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2019/11/20/senior-advocate-goes-missing-in-lalmonirhat |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

• Mujibul Huda Chowdhury Biplob: On 30 March 2020, Biplob, an owner of a furniture store, disappeared from Dhaka.{{Cite news |date=18 May 2020 |title=Police yet to trace furniture vendor missing since March 30 |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2020/05/18/police-yet-to-trace-furniture-vendor-missing-since-march-30 |access-date=16 June 2020 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

{{See also|Tareque Sayeed}}

On 27 November 2013, former BNP lawmaker Saiful Islam Hiru and BNP leader Humayun Kabir Parvez were abducted while going to Comilla from Laksham. Convicted murderer of Narayanganj Seven Murder, former RAB-11 official Lt Col (sacked) Tareque Sayeed is the number one accused in the case. RAB-11 is accused of burning 2 cars and killing Iqbal Mahmud Jewel in front of BNP leader Sahab Uddin Sabu in Lakshmipur on 23 December 2013. RAB-11 is also accused of throwing down Jamaat leader Foyez Ahmed from the roof of a 2 storied building. RAB -11 is also accused of abducting businessman Tajul Islam in a Hi-ace microbus on 17 February 2013. 13 days after abduction, Tajul's dead body was found from Meghna river. RAB-11 and Tareque Sayeed is accused in the case of abduction of businessman Ismail Hossain who has been missing since 7 February 2014.{{Cite news |url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/1061915/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%88%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97 |script-title=bn:তারেক সাঈদের বিরুদ্ধে গুমের বহু অভিযোগ |newspaper=Prothom Alo |language=bn |access-date=18 January 2017 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823070632/http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/1061915/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%88%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%97 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.jugantor.com/online/national/2017/01/18/37021/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%88%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE |script-title=bn:তারেক সাঈদের নেতৃত্বে আরও ১১ গুম {{!}} জাতীয় |newspaper=Jugantor |language=bn |access-date=18 January 2017 |archive-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922061731/https://www.jugantor.com/online/national/2017/01/18/37021/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%88%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.esamakal.net/?archiev=yes&arch_date=17-01-2017 |title=The Daily eSamakal |work=Samakal |access-date=18 January 2017}}

{{See also|Narayanganj Seven Murder}}

In April 2014, bodies of seven men were discovered from the Shitalakkhya river. They were strangled, blindfolded and thrown into the river, four days after they were kidnapped few kilometres from Narayanganj district court by RAB men who are accused to do it as contract killing.{{Cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/05/bangladesh-forces-under-scrutiny-killings-201453035232376184.html |title=Bangladesh forces under scrutiny for killings |last=Bergman |first=David |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=11 December 2016}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/court/2016/11/30/narayanganj-seven-murder-verdict-jan-16/ |title=Narayanganj seven-murder verdict due Jan 16 |date=30 November 2016 |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |language=en-US |access-date=12 December 2016}} In this case, on 16 January 2016 ex-AL men, ex-RAB officials among 26 were handed death penalty{{Cite news |url=http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/136079/Nur-Hossain-Tarek-among-26-get-death-penalty |title=Ex-AL men, Ex-RAB officials among 26 handed death penalty |newspaper=Prothom Alo |access-date=17 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119051853/http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/136079/Nur-Hossain-Tarek-among-26-get-death-penalty |archive-date=19 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} as the charges of abduction, murder, concealing the bodies, conspiracy and destroying evidences were proved beyond any doubt.{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/former-rab-man-blames-ex-commander-for-consequences-after-conviction-for-seven-murders |title=Former RAB man blames ex-commander for consequences after conviction for seven murders |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=17 January 2017 |access-date=17 January 2017}} On 12 December 2016 RAB claimed arrest of a man from Dhaka who took Tk 50 lakh, posing as a source of law enforcers, from a family, in assurance of tracing a missing member of the family.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/man-held-taking-money-imposter-1328971 |title=Man held for taking money as imposter |date=12 December 2016 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=12 December 2016}}

On 23 November 2017 in parliament, the prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina claimed that people also disappeared in other countries. Elite paramilitary force, RAB's Director of Media and Legal Wing, Mufti Mahmud Khan told Al Jazeera about the involvement of RAB in these forced disappearance that these were false allegations and that "RAB is there to curb crimes and it is just doing its job."{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/trace-enforced-disappearances-bangladesh-180604100000527.html |title=Without a trace: Enforced disappearances in Bangladesh |last=Khan |first=Aina |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=8 September 2018}} Law Minister Anisul Huq alleged that the disappearance claims were part of a plot by opposition parties to discredit the government.{{Cite news |last=Rowlatt |first=Justin |date=13 October 2016 |title=Fears over Bangladesh's 'disappeared' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37618205 |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Sajeeb Wazed, son of Sheikh Hasina, wrote in an article that the Bangladesh police had not uncovered any evidence suggestive of the government's involvement behind any reported disappearance.{{Cite magazine |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/bangladesh-disappeared-reappear-all-the-time/ |title=Bangladesh: 'Disappeared' Reappear All the Time |last=Wazed |first=Sajeeb |magazine=The Diplomat |access-date=8 September 2018 |language=en-US}}

The incidents of enforced disappearances were condemned by both domestic and international human rights organizations. The main opposition party BNP has held the government responsible for conducting these forced disappearances,{{cite news |title=Bangladesh opposition leader 'undeterred' by arrests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18147224 |work=BBC News |date=21 May 2012}}{{cite news |title=Same group kidnapped Ilias Ali |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/same-group-kidnapped-ilias-ali-20623 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=19 April 2014}} and demanded an UN-sponsored investigation into such cases.{{cite news |title=BNP demands UN-sponsored investigation into abductions |url=http://newagebd.net/144206/bnp-demands-un-sponsored-investigation-into-abductions/ |newspaper=New Age |date=5 August 2015}} The British parliament frequently expressed concerns over the forced disappearances of political opponents in Bangladesh.{{cite news |title=UK does not agree with Bangladesh govt views |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/uk-does-not-agree-bangladesh-govt-views-1229632 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=26 May 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-06-28?showNoDebateMessage=True|title=House of Commons - Hansard - UK Parliament|website=hansard.parliament.uk}} During her visit to Bangladesh in 2012, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed concern over the disappearance of Ilyas Ali and Aminul Islam. Despite the demands for the government initiatives to probe such disappearances, investigations into such cases were absent.{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/03/17/bangladesh-investigate-case-enforced-disappearance |title=Bangladesh: Investigate Case of Enforced Disappearance |date=17 March 2015 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |location=New York}}{{cite news |title=Editorial: The disappearance of Chowdhury Alam |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=146614 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=14 July 2010 |access-date=11 December 2015}}

In July 2017, Human Rights Watch published an 82-page report accusing the Bangladesh government of secret detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of political opposition members.{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/07/06/bangladesh-end-disappearances-and-secret-detentions |title=Bangladesh: End Disappearances and Secret Detentions |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}} It called for a halt in such human rights violations. The report also contained gruesome accounts of forcefully picking up and subsequent disappearances of political opposition members at the hands of law enforcement authorities.

During May 2018, the United Nations' High Commissioner of Human Rights and 56 other organizations expressed their concerns about Bangladesh's enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings in Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations.{{Cite magazine |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/rights-groups-criticize-bangladesh-government-for-silence-on-enforced-disappearances/ |title=Rights Groups Criticize Bangladesh Government for 'Silence' on Enforced Disappearances |last=Mahmud |first=Faisal |magazine=The Diplomat |access-date=10 September 2018 |language=en-US}}

• Human rights in Bangladesh
• Crossfire (Bangladesh)
• Bangladesh Drug War

{{Reflist}}

{{Asia in topic| Human rights in |title=Human rights in Asia }}

{{World topic| prefix= Forced disappearances in |noredlinks=yes}}

{{World topic| prefix= Extrajudicial killings in | title= Extrajudicial killings in the World |noredlinks=yes}}

Category:Human rights abuses in Bangladesh

Category:Torture in Bangladesh

Category:History of the Awami League

Category:Awami League scandals

Category:Premiership of Sheikh Hasina