Dhaka, Aug 30 – BNP yesterday claimed that around 1,209 people including some senior party leaders were made victims of enforced disappearance in the last 10 years’ rule of the Awami League.“Since Awami League-led grand alliance assumed power in 2009, around 1,209 people were made victims of enforced disappearance in the last 10 years. Of them, 781 people were made victims of enforced disappearance by members of the law enforcement agencies,” claimed BNP senior secretary general Rizvi Ahmed.
Speaking at a press conference at party central office, he accused the present government of using the incidents of enforced disappearance as a weapon to prolong their one-party rule.
He however issued a note of warning that if voted to power, the BNP will form a commission to investigate all the incidents of enforced disappearance and put those responsible on trial.
The BNP organized the press conference to mark the International Day of the Disappeared which is observed on August 30 every year.
Rizvi claimed that the trend of disappearance started from 1972 to 1975 with a political motive.
“The culture of enforced disappearance was incepted at that time with a farsighted agenda of eliminating opposition political parties and establishing and prolonging an authoritarian state and one-party rule in the country,” he added.
He holds the ruling Awami League responsible for the random disappearances and incidents of crossfire saying that such acts cannot happen without the direct instigation of the government.
BNP joint secretary general Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokan, KHairul Kabir Khokan, Abdus Salam Azad, Asadul Karim Shahin, among others, were present at the press conference. – Staff Reporter
