Advisory Council Approves Draft Ordinance on Enforced Disappearance

The Advisory Council today gave in-principle approval to the draft Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance 2025, which includes the death penalty as the maximum punishment for offenders.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office, the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

“Today’s approval is only in principle. The ordinance will be presented again in the Advisory Council after further discussions for final approval. Once enacted, it will ensure proper protection and redress for victims and their families,” he added.

Shafiqul Alam said the draft was prepared based on the recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

“The government aims to enact an effective law to prevent enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. Inputs from international and national human rights organisations, as well as relevant stakeholders, were considered while drafting the ordinance,” he added, calling it an important step for human rights protection in the country.

The draft defines enforced disappearance as a crime and prescribes severe penalties, including the death sentence. Establishing or using secret detention cells is also declared a punishable offence.

It empowers the National Human Rights Commission to receive and investigate complaints and includes provisions for a special tribunal, trial completion within 120 days, protection of victims, informants, and witnesses, compensation for victims, and guaranteed legal assistance.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad attended the briefing.