Alleging that all the incidents of enforced disappearance took place at the behest of the government, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the United Nations to take an initiative for forming an international probe team to look into the incidents, reports UNB. Consoling the victims of enforced disappearances at a programme at her Gulshan office, the BNP chief also said she also fears of being subjected to enforce disappearance and killing anytime under the current conditionof the country. “The incidents of enforced disappearance, killing and terrorism took place with state patronage. I know Rab and police members cannot carry out such acts without the government order. Many victims’ family mummers on this day demanded the government bring back their near and dear ones through an investigation. But, this regime won’t conduct any probe and a fair investigation is not possible by it,” she said.
Khaleda further said, “So, we demand an international investigation into the incidents. We call for forming an international probe team with the UN’s initiative comprising neutral personas of Bangladesh to trace the victims and ensure punishment to those involved in the incidents.”
BNP arranged the programme to express its consolation to the family members of 26 victims of enforced disappearance (2009-2015) marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
At the beginning of the programme, a 13-minute documentary on the victims of forced disappearance was screened.
A heart rendering situation was created as the family members of the victims burst into tears seeing the documentary. Khaleda was also seen turned emotional with tears rolling down her checks.
The victims’ family members also spoke at the programme and urged the government to bring back their near and dear ones for Allah’s sake.
Later, addressing the programme, Khaleda said, “There’s no democracy in the country while people have no basic and human rights. No one has the right of expression and holding any programme. Those who’re in power have the only right to do anything and spread lies.”
Khaleda assured the victims’ family members that if her party comes to power it will carry out a fair investigation into all the incidents of enforced disappearance and ensure the punishment to those responsible for that.
“We can console you and assure you of remaining with you always. But, we can do nothing else. Under the current situation of the country, there’s no guarantee that we won’t fall prey to enforced disappearance and killing. We’re now only counting on Allah (for survival).”
price hikes of gas, power
20-party to hold
protest programme
BNP led 20-party alliance has decided to hold demonstration across the country protesting the government decision to increase tariffs of gas and power.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the alliance chaired by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office in the city last night.
The schedule of the programme will be announced soon, meeting sources said adding that the meeting also discussed the issue of observing the founding anniversary of the BNP on September 1.
Leaders of the alliance partners, including Col (Rtd) Oli Ahmed of LDP, Andalib Rahman Partha of BJP, Abdul Jalim of Jamaat E Islami, Shafiul Alam Pradhan of JAGPA and Major General (Rtd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim of Kallyan Party were present in the meeting.