Maximum Punishment for Enforced Disappearance Is Death Penalty

The interim government's Advisory Council has given final approval to the draft of "Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance 2025", which prescribes death penalty as the highest punishment for proven cases of enforced disappearance.

The approval came at the 47th meeting of the Advisory Council held today, with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair at his office.

After the meeting, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

When asked about other penalties under the proposed law, Shafiqul Alam said he could not provide further details but confirmed that the draft includes strict punishments, including capital punishment, for those found guilty of enforced disappearance. The law ministry will share more details in due course, he said.

Replying to a query about whether the ordinance includes any provision for rehabilitation or compensation for the victims' families, the press secretary said, "A fund has been created for providing compensation."

He also said that the National Human Rights Commission will investigate allegations of the involvement of members of state agencies in enforced disappearances.

In response to another question, Shafiqul said, "The ordinance includes provisions for establishing special tribunals, completing trials within 120 days of framing charges, protecting the rights of victims, informants and witnesses, and ensuring compensation and legal assistance."

"The court will decide whether completing trials within 120 days is possible. But we believe that, In sha Allah, future generations in Bangladesh will never see enforced disappearances again. No one will repeat such crimes here -- that's what we hope," he added.