Families recall ‘missing’ BNP leaders on Human Rights Day

Families of ‘missing’ BNP leaders and activists have voiced their agony on the Human Rights Day.

On Dec 4, 2013, at least 19 people were whisked away from their homes in the capital and they have not been heard from since then.

Sajedul Islam Suman, General Secretary of the BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan Ward 25, was picked up from his Baridhara residence on that day.

His family, evidently tired of knocking every door possible, said they feared being labelled as “the family of the missing man.”

“Over the last four years, this is the 20th time that I am speaking here,” Sumon’s sister Ferdousi Rahman said at a press conference at the National Press Club.

“I do not feel like delivering speeches anymore. Law enforcers whisked him away. But police tell us to file a missing case,” she said in despair.

Parvez Hossain, a leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, was picked up in the same manner on that very day, claim his family.

His daughter Hridi Hossain is now five years old. “Papa, come back,” she appealed before the audience at the briefing.

“I do not know if my brother is still alive,” said Rehena Banu Munni, sister of ‘missing’ Chhatra Dal leader Selim Reza Pintu.

Families of the victims every year recall their loved ones on Dec 4 but this year they picked Dec 10 to make their voice heard on the International Human Rights Day.

Law-enforcement agencies have time and again brushed off the claim that their personnel had been behind these acts of disappearances.

Despite condemnation from local and international human rights groups, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has been in denial.

Suman’s mother Hazera Khatun moderated the briefing in the presence of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder Zafrullah Chowdhury and Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, among others.

‘Indian intelligence forces collaborated’

“I believe the intelligence agencies of India had collaborated with the government in carrying out these abductions and murders reported in the past few years,” Zafrullah said.

“Farhad Mazhar and his wife are lucky. The only reason he came back alive is because of the prompt action of the police and RAB,” he went on.

He called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take action over the abduction cases.

“You are now known as the ‘Mother of Humanity’. Why can’t you hear these cries? Please stop this inhumane act. Otherwise, our War of Liberation will become worthless,” said Zafrullah, a 1971 freedom fighter.

Manna said there had been an abduction attempt on himself once. “People here are saying that police do not file their complaints. They do no inquiry.”

“I have been with the Awami League for long. Those who advise the prime minister are actually causing her huge damage and also causing damage to the nation.”