President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that there will be no more ‘Aynaghar’ (secret detention centers) in independent Bangladesh. No more mothers will have to shed tears for their children, and no more wives for their husbands.
He made these remarks on Sunday (August 30) at an event organized in observance of International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances-2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
The President said, ‘Today, August 30, marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances-2026. Today is a day that plunges us into the depths of heart-wrenching wails and profound sorrow. At the outset of my speech, with deep pain and profound respect, I remember all victims of enforced disappearance across Bangladesh and the world.’
He continued, ‘I remember those mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters who waited day after day, year after year, hoping their children, their loved ones, would return. I remember the wife who, having lost her beloved husband, battles alone with the harsh realities of life. I remember the child whose childhood passed in anticipation of their father’s return, but the father never came back to hold them.’
‘To all individuals, families, relatives, and comrades-in-arms who are the cruel victims of enforced disappearance, I extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy. I pay profound tribute to the sacred memory of all victims of disappearance and torture. I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of their souls,’ said the President.
Referring to enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity, the President stated, ‘Enforced disappearance is not an ordinary crime. It is a crime against humanity. Disappearance does not merely take away a person; it robs loved ones of their smiles, peace, dreams, and their economic and social existence. It is a heinous violation of human rights.’
He added, ‘Our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life, personal liberty, protection under the law, and human dignity. Through enforced disappearance and torture, virtually all these rights are simultaneously trampled upon.’
Referring to the past decade and a half, the President said, ‘Over the last fifteen years, under a fascist government, the unbearable grip of enforced disappearances and secret detention centers, known as ‘Aynaghar,’ had tightened its hold on Bangladesh. Whenever individuals protested injustice, expressed dissent, or agitated for democratic rights, they were abducted, forcibly disappeared, and secretly killed to silence them.’
He further stated, ‘Yet, state institutions subservient to the fascists consistently denied these abhorrent crimes.’
Recalling the victims of enforced disappearance, the President said, ‘We have not forgotten countless individuals, including prominent BNP leader Ilias Ali, Ward Commissioner Chowdhury Alam, Ward General Secretary Sajedul Islam Sumon, whose families have spent every night filled with deep sorrow, uncertainty, and anticipation.’
He mentioned, ‘Numerous dissidents, officials, writers, journalists, social workers, even homemakers and ordinary citizens, including lawyer Barrister Arman and retired Lieutenant General Azmi, were held for years in dark, unbearable conditions, in lightless, airless ‘Aynaghars.’ Every moment spent there was more terrifying than death itself.’
Referring to former State Minister for Home Affairs Salahuddin Ahmed, the President said, ‘Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who is present on the stage, was also forcibly disappeared and left abroad. Some of them have fortunately returned to us. Yet, many people in this country have not returned to this day.’
The President stated, ‘The independent country for which our heroic freedom fighters shed their fresh blood in 1971 to establish democracy, equality, freedom of speech, human dignity, and a justice-based state, saw the establishment of a culture of enforced disappearance and torture, leading to ultimate injustice and a reign of terror. This created a terrifying and fearful environment. This is an extremely painful and disgraceful chapter in our national history.’
Recalling former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the President said, ‘At this time, I respectfully remember former Prime Minister Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia, who was always vocal against the enforced disappearances and torture by the fascist government. She believed that one day, justice for these disappearances, killings, atrocities, and tortures would be served in Bangladesh itself.’
He added, ‘Faced with a mass uprising of unarmed students and the public, that fascism, along with its lineage, was forced to flee the country. Now, instead of revenge, we must seek redress and bring the real perpetrators under the legal framework for punishment.’
Regarding the report of the commission investigating enforced disappearances, the President said, ‘The truth that has emerged in the commission’s final report is not only painful but also extremely shameful and horrifying. The commission has specifically identified 1,569 incidents as enforced disappearances, among which 287 individuals are missing and dead.’
He stated, ‘The report clearly illustrates an increase in disappearances before elections, and the targeted enforced disappearance and secret killing of political opponents’ activists, unequivocally proving that these barbaric and brutal acts were predominantly committed for partisan and personal gain, aimed at retaining state power.’
The President said, ‘Bangladesh has signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The trials for enforced disappearances and genocide are progressing through the International Criminal Tribunal, maintaining transparency and international standards.’
Mentioning the state’s responsibility towards the families of victims of enforced disappearance, the President said, ‘I believe that the state’s responsibility does not end with merely punishing the perpetrators. The state must also assume the responsibility for the dignity, social security, medical care, education, livelihood, and rehabilitation of those families who have endured years of boundless uncertainty, financial hardship, and mental anguish while waiting for their loved ones.’
He said, ‘We desire a Bangladesh where political differences exist, but not political vendetta. Where there is freedom of expression, but not a culture of fear. Where there is law and order, but no opportunity to violate human rights and justice in the name of law. Where the state has power, but that power is controlled by the constitution and the law.’
The President further added, ‘We must remember that a nation’s development and success cannot be measured solely by economic growth. Rather, the true picture of a state’s development and success is reflected by how democratic and welfare-oriented it is, how just and humane it is, and how safe and dignified its citizens live. We are committed to building such a new Bangladesh.’
Finally, the President stated, ‘As the President of Bangladesh, I stand before you today to declare in clear terms that there will be no more ‘Aynaghar’ in this independent Bangladesh. No more mothers will have to shed tears for their children, and no more wives for their husbands.’
He further added, ‘Perpetrators involved in every incident of enforced disappearance, no matter how powerful, will be brought to justice. They must receive the maximum penalty under the law. All avenues for fascism to return to this country will be permanently closed. Another sacred duty of the state is to sincerely stand by the families of enforced disappearance victims. I believe the government will take appropriate measures in this regard.’