Although the Bangladesh Army as an institution was not involved in enforced disappearances, some officers deputed from the army to various forces were found to be involved, said Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of the Inquiry Commission on Enforced Disappearances.
He made the remarks at a press conference held in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Thursday (June 19).
In response to reporters’ questions, Moinul Islam stated, “Institutionally, the army is not involved; however, officers deputed from the army to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and National Security Intelligence (NSI) have been found to have links with enforced disappearances. These officers belong to the armed forces—they could be from the army, navy, or air force.”
On the same issue, commission member and human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said, “There is no room to say they did not know. A former army chief has publicly stated that two army personnel sought refuge with him, expressing their unwillingness to participate in such activities. Therefore, although they were not officially involved, it cannot be claimed that they were unaware.”