BNP Alleges Surge In Enforced Disappearances Under Current Govt

Senior joint secretary of the BNP, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has stated that incidents of enforced disappearance, murder, and extrajudicial killings have increased at an alarming rate under this government's rule. He made these allegations at a press conference held at the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, this morning (April 17). 

Rizvi claimed that under the government's directives, the BNP's organizational secretary Ilias Ali was abducted. His family is still waiting anxiously for his return after twelve years since his disappearance. 

He further stated that although the government attributes these crimes to opposition activists, the nature of enforced disappearances is changing under the current administration. Even if someone returns after a few days, they often return as corpses. According to him, this indicates the government's intention to instill fear. He asserted that the government's main objective is to annihilate the opposition party and they will have to face trial one day for this. 

Recently, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the secretary-general of the BNP, claimed that the government has filed cases against 6 million leaders and workers of the BNP. This was challenged by Awami League's general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday (April 15). 

In this regard, Rizvi questioned, "What list does Obaidul Quader want? The list has been provided before. And the list is still with you. The judiciary, the police, everything is under your control."