‘Intimidation, complexities in investigations obstruct justice’

The intimidation in running cases, complexities in investigations and pressure from influential circles have created obstacles to justice for the victims of enforced disappearances.

Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) in Bangladesh Huma Khan said this while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a four-day workshop titled “Ensuring Justice: The Role of the Judiciary in Addressing Enforced Disappearances” held at a Dhaka hotel on Saturday.

“Most of the victims’ family members I had talked to are suffering from social and mental pressure. Intimidation in running the cases, complexities in investigations, and pressure from influential quarters have made big obstacles in the way of justice,” she said. “The impartiality, professionalism and dutifulness of judges are very vital for ensuring justice,” she said.

“The society is very deeply worried over the pathetic state of the victims of enforced disappearances and their families’ long uncertainty,” said the Office.

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances arranged the workshop with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Dhaka.

Presiding over by the workshop inauguration, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury said that each judge must deal with every case with equal zeal, rigour and devotion.

“Every morning when a judge puts on their robe, he or she must remember the words of the Constitution. The republic will be a democracy where all the fundamental human rights and freedoms are ensured,” he said.

To the judges, the chairman said, “Let’s build a justice system where even a hawker, garment worker, and rickshaw puller can say that they have faith in the judicial system.”

Member of the commission Justice Md Farid Ahmed Shibli said that an institutional reform is the need of the hour to ensure effective investigation and trial of the cases related to enforced disappearances.

He said the commission is reviewing the existing legal framework and preparing proposals for the necessary amendments to the laws to ensure speedy disposal of such cases, witness protection and legal assistance to the victims’ families.