Distinguished guests, On behalf of the survivors and families of victims of enforced disappearances, I extend our deepest respect and heartfelt tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Monsoon Revolution of July, culminating on the 05 August 2024.

We remember with profound gratitude the students, young people, workers, journalists, medical volunteers, and ordinary citizens who stood together in pursuit of democracy, justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. Their courage transformed a movement that began with demands for reform of the public service quota system into a nationwide call for democratic governance, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights.

We also pay tribute to the thousands who survived but continue to bear the physical and psychological scars of those tragic events. According to publicly available reports, more than 1,000 people lost their lives and over 30,000 were injured during the protests. Behind every statistic is a human story—a family forever changed, a dream interrupted, and a future altered by violence.
The events of July and August 2024 represented one of the most consequential chapters in Bangladesh’s contemporary history. Reports by national and international human rights organizations documented allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, internet shutdowns, and restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. These allegations demand independent, impartial, and transparent investigations in accordance with Bangladesh’s Constitution and its obligations under international human rights law.

The sacrifices made during the Monsoon Revolution must never be forgotten. Those who lost their lives did not merely participate in protests; they became symbols of resilience and hope. Their courage inspired an entire nation and demonstrated that the pursuit of justice and freedom cannot be extinguished through fear or repression.

The murals, poems, songs, and messages painted on the streets and walls across Bangladesh continue to reflect the aspirations of a new generation. They speak of equality before the law, accountable government, independent institutions, and a nation where every citizen can enjoy fundamental rights without fear. These aspirations should guide future constitutional, legal, and institutional reforms.

As representatives of victims of enforced disappearances, we also express our sincere appreciation to the many national, regional, and international human rights organizations that stood beside victims during some of Bangladesh’s darkest years. We particularly acknowledge Odhikar, and many other organizations whose courage in documenting abuses helped preserve the truth when many sought to silence it.
The responsibility before us now is clear. Remembering the past is not enough. We must ensure truth, justice, and accountability, reparations for victims, institutional reform, and guarantees of non-recurrence. Only by confronting past violations honestly and strengthening democratic institutions can Bangladesh build a future founded upon respect for human rights and the rule of law.

National Human Rights Commission and Enforced Disappearance Laws – Key Concerns

The Cabinet’s approval of the draft National Human Rights Commission Act and Enforced Disappearance Law raises serious concerns about the independence and effectiveness of investigations into human rights violations.

Under the proposed NHRC Act, the Commission would generally have authority to investigate complaints through its own officers and investigation teams (Sections 13, 15 and 32). However, where allegations are made against a law-enforcement or security agency, Section 19(1) requires the NHRC to first obtain a report from the very agency accused of the violation, rather than conducting an independent investigation.

The draft sets no deadline for the accused agency to submit this report (Section 19(2)). If the NHRC is dissatisfied with the response, it may issue only non-binding recommendations to the same agency (Section 19(3)(b)). Further action is possible only if the agency fails to respond within 45 days or if its measures are deemed unsatisfactory (Section 19(4)). By then, crucial evidence may have been lost, altered, or destroyed.
This mechanism fundamentally weakens the NHRC’s ability to independently establish facts and assess the credibility of an accused agency’s account. It also appears inconsistent with the Paris Principles, which require national human rights institutions to have as broad a mandate as possible, including effective powers to investigate human rights violations independently.

The proposed appointment mechanism also raises concerns. Under Section 7, the nine-member Selection Committee includes several senior government and ruling-party representatives, while other members are nominated by the President and the University Grants Commission. Such a structure risks undermining the independence and pluralistic character required of a national human rights institution.
The proposed Enforced Disappearance Law presents an even more serious conflict of interest. Under Section 14, where an alleged disappearance involves a security or law-enforcement agency, the accused agency may itself conduct the investigation. Allowing an institution accused of enforced disappearance to investigate the allegation against itself is fundamentally inconsistent with the principles of independence, impartiality and accountability.

Furthermore, Section 21 reportedly provides for up to five years’ rigorous imprisonment where a complaint is subsequently determined by a court to be false. Such a provision could intimidate victims and families from reporting enforced disappearances, particularly where evidence is difficult to obtain because the alleged perpetrators control the relevant institutions and records.

Taken together, these provisions risk creating a system in which state agencies accused of serious human rights violations can effectively investigate themselves, while victims and their families face potential criminal consequences for allegations that cannot ultimately be proven.

The draft laws should therefore be reconsidered to guarantee independent investigations, binding accountability mechanisms, clear investigative deadlines, preservation of evidence, protection of complainants and witnesses, and effective remedies for victims and their families. Only such safeguards can ensure that the NHRC functions as a genuinely independent institution consistent with the Paris Principles and prevents the return of a culture of impunity.

Let us honor the memory of those who gave their lives not only through remembrance but through action. Let us work together to build a Bangladesh where enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, and political violence become part of history rather than recurring realities.

The Monsoon Revolution was not simply a political event. It was a defining moment in the continuing struggle for justice, democracy, and human dignity. The sacrifices of those who stood for these ideals should continue to inspire our nation and future generations.
May we remain worthy of their courage, faithful to their aspirations, and united in our commitment to a democratic, peaceful, and rights-respecting Bangladesh.

Writer: Former ambassador, human rights activist

SOURCE:  UVED AND WSN24