THE second interim report of the commission of inquiry on enforced disappearances, partially made public on June 23, suggests that the culture of impunity has still alarmingly been at play even in the political changeover that happened on August 5, 2024 with the fall of the Awami League government, which had governed the country for about a decade and a half, and the deposal of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a mass uprising. The report says that members of the security forces responsible for enforced disappearances are not helping the commission that the government set up on August 27, 2024 to find out the people involuntarily disappeared at the hands of intelligence and law enforcement agencies between January 6, 2009 and August 5, 2024 aimed at ensuring accountability. The commission says that it has so far received 1,850 allegations and found proof of and documents on 253 events of enforced disappearances. Whilst most personnel of the security forces involved in enforced disappearances, as the commission finds, are working in their position, some have been rewarded and promoted, suggesting the continuation of the culture of impunity.
The report speaks of a perception that the security forces are in opposition as institutions to the accountability efforts although many personnel of the forces look forward to a resolution to the trauma that had continued for a decade. The report, at the same time, says the perception may not be entirely accurate as many forces, including the Rapid Action Battalion, have helped the commission. The report says that the security officials in private conversations were candid in saying that their fears result not from the commission or any process for accountability but from their own institutions. While some spoke to the commission only after repeated assurances that they would not face any trouble, at least one afraid of letting his voice be heard agreed to speak through an intermediary. The report says that efforts are on within the agencies to resist cooperation with the commission. Security personnel are instructed to remain silent before the commission and one or two have been asked not to name the superiors involved even if they admit to their own action. Some have expressed, as the report says, fear of retaliation, which is reflective of the fears that have permeated the rank and file in the security agencies.
Such a proposition would hardly help the commission of enquiry to gather proof that could be used to ensure accountability for the crimes of involuntary disappearances that took place during the Awami League regime. The government should, therefore, break the climate of impunity that holds back deposition in the commission.