Khaleda Zia asks for UN probe into ‘disappearances’ of BNP supporters

Khaleda Zia has alleged that all the incidents of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh have taken place at the behest of the Awami League government and urged the United Nations to launch an investigation.

“Terrorism and incidents of disappearances and murders are taking place with the state’s support. We know that RAB or police cannot do these without the government’s order,” she has said.
 
“Today, on the International Day of the Disappeared, the families of all the victims who have been abducted are now urging the government to investigate, find their loved ones and return them.”    
 
But the BNP chairperson says she feels the government will not heed the appeals by the victims’ families and initiate steps to find the missing persons.
 
She made the remarks at a programme to mark the International Day of the Disappeared at her Gulshan office on Sunday afternoon.
 
The BNP organised the programme to extend support to the families of 26 party leaders and activists who have gone missing between 2009 and 2015.
 
“They (government) won’t conduct proper investigations. That’s why I call for an international investigation under the United Nations.

“Those who are impartial in the country should be in the probe body,” Khaleda said.

A 13-minute documentary on the victims of enforced disappearances was shown at the beginning of Sunday’s programme at Khaleda’s office.

Members of the victims’ families broke down during the show.

The BNP chief later spoke with them and enquired how they were faring.

She said, “There is no democracy, basic rights, or human rights in Bangladesh. No one now has the right to speak.”

“Those who have forcibly gained power can lie easily and have the right to do everything.”

Khaleda told the grieving families, “I can only try to comfort you, assure you. We have nothing else to do.

“I can also be abducted or murdered, there’s no guarantee.”​