No more 'Aynaghar' in the country: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has announced that there will no longer be any "Aynaghar" (secret detention centers) in Bangladesh.

The President made this announcement today, Sunday, at a state event on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

President Mirza Fakhrul said, "Standing before you today as the President of Bangladesh, I want to say in very clear terms that there will be no more Aynaghar in this independent Bangladesh. No more mothers will have to shed tears for their children, and no more wives for their husbands."

"Every perpetrator involved in enforced disappearances—no matter how powerful they are—will be brought to justice in this country. They must receive the maximum punishment under the law. We will permanently close that dark chapter of fascism in this country," the President added.

The President stated, "Another sacred responsibility of the state is to stand sincerely beside the families of these victims of disappearance. I believe the government has already taken steps and will do more."

"Let us collectively build a Bangladesh where democracy, human rights, equality, and dignity will be the foundation of the state. Good governance will be the core policy of state administration. Accountability and freedom of speech will be the strength of democracy, and justice will be the right of every citizen. Overcoming the darkness of disappearances and impunity, let Bangladesh move forward with truth, justice, human rights, and humanity. May God grant us all the grace to walk on the path of truth and justice."

The event was organized by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. At the event, family members of the disappeared shared their painful ordeals and demanded justice for those involved in the disappearances.

"Respect for the Families of Enforced Disappearance Victims"

The President said, "With deep pain and profound respect, I remember all the victims of forced disappearances in Bangladesh and around the world. I remember those mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters who have been waiting day after day, year after year, thinking their loved ones might just return."

"I remember the wife who, having lost her beloved husband, is fighting the harsh realities of life alone. I remember the child who has passed childhood waiting for their father to return, but the father never came back to hold them. I express my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to all the victims of the cruel act of disappearance, their families, relatives, and well-wishers. I pay deep respect to the sacred memory of all victims of disappearances and killings. I pray for the eternal peace and salvation of their departed souls."

President Mirza Fakhrul added, "Enforced disappearance is no ordinary crime; it is a crime against humanity. Disappearance does not just take away a person; it snatches away the smiles, peace, dreams, and economic-social stability of their loved ones. It is a heinous violation of human rights. Our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life, personal liberty, protection of the law, and human dignity. Through disappearances and killings, all of those rights are virtually trampled upon at once."
Here is the English translation of the text:

The Painful Clutch of Enforced Disappearances

The President said that during the decade-and-a-half under the fascist government, the painful clutch of enforced disappearances and the secret detention center "Aynaghar" pressed heavily upon Bangladesh. Whoever protested against injustice, expressed dissenting views, or joined movements to claim their democratic rights was picked up, forcibly disappeared, or secretly murdered.

"Yet, the fascist-controlled state institutions consistently denied these serious crimes. We have not forgotten key BNP leader Ilias Ali, Ward Commissioner Chowdhury Alam, Ward General Secretary Sajedul Islam, and countless others whose families spend every night filled with chest-heavy pain, uncertainty, and endless waiting. Dissenting officials including retired Lt. General Azmi, writers, journalists, social activists, and even housewives and ordinary citizens were held for years in dark, damp, airless Aynaghar cells, where every moment was worse than death itself."

He added, "Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad, seated here on stage, was forcibly disappeared and dumped in a foreign country. Among them, a lucky few have returned to us. But even today, there are many people in this country who have never come back."

"I must mention that a young woman courageously and fearlessly stepped forward at that time alongside these affected families. She is now our Member of Parliament, Sanjida Islam Tuli. She fought single-handedly and even took the cause to the International Human Rights Commission. For that, I extend my thanks and commendations to her."

"A Reign of Terror Was Established Through Disappearances and Killings"

The President said, "Our brave freedom fighters sacrificed their lives in 1971 to build a nation rooted in democracy, equality, freedom, and humanitarian justice. Yet, in that very independent country, a reign of terror was established through the culture of disappearances and extrajudicial killings. This created a terrifying environment that stands as a deeply painful and humiliating chapter in our national history."

"I remember former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia with profound respect, who was consistently vocal against the fascist government's disappearances and murders. She firmly believed that one day, justice for these disappearances, killings, and atrocities would indeed take place on the soil of Bangladesh. I also respectfully honor all anti-fascist political parties—including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami—along with social forces, the media, civil society, and citizens from all walks of life, many of whom became victims of disappearances and killings. Faced with a mass uprising of unarmed students and citizens, that fascist regime was forced to flee the country."

The State Must Take Responsibility for Victims' Families

The President concluded, "Now is not the time for revenge, but for remedy. Perpetrators must be brought under genuine legal punishment."

"I believe the state's duty does not end merely with punishing the criminals. The state itself must take full responsibility for the dignity, social security, medical care, education, livelihood, and rehabilitation of those families who have endured endless uncertainty, financial hardship, and mental agony year after year waiting for their loved ones."