Disappearance commission’s tenure extended by another 6 months

The government has extended the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance by another six months, until December 31, to continue investigating allegations of enforced disappearances carried out by law enforcement agencies during the Awami League’s tenure.

The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification on Monday night (June 23), stating that the extension will take effect from July 1.

The commission was initially formed on August 27 under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956, to investigate incidents of enforced disappearance that occurred between January 6, 2009, and August 5 of the previous year. On September 15, the government revised the commission’s terms of reference and the deadline for submitting its report.

The commission is chaired by retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury of the Supreme Court’s High Court Division. Other members include retired Justice Md Farid Ahmed Shibli, human rights activist Noor Khan, BRAC University faculty member Nabila Idris, and human rights activist Sajjad Hossain.

The commission is tasked with locating and identifying victims who were allegedly abducted by members of law enforcement agencies, security forces, intelligence services, or investigative bodies—either directly or with the support, aid, or consent of the government—between January 6, 2009, and August 5 of the previous year. It also aims to determine the circumstances under which the disappearances occurred.

As part of its work, the commission is collecting information from victims’ families, individuals, organizations, and institutions.