Govt upheld human rights and rule of law over past six months: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government has successfully upheld human rights and strengthened the rule of law during its first six months in office, urging continued cooperation to maintain the standards throughout the remainder of its tenure.

“Six months have passed since we assumed responsibility for running the government. Has anyone been subjected to enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killing or political persecution? No, they have not,” he said.

The Home Minister made the remarks this evening at a panel discussion titled “A Panel Discussion to Make the Disappeared Appear: Law, Justice, Accountability and Human Rights,” organised by Maayer Daak at the Bangladesh National Museum.

Highlighting government efforts to address past abuses, Salahuddin Ahmed spoke about a newly introduced bill placed before Parliament aimed at ensuring justice and remedies for victims of enforced disappearance.

“We want to enact a law so that every victim can receive a remedy, approach the court directly and obtain justice, while perpetrators are held accountable,” he said.

He explained that systematic and widespread enforced disappearances would remain prosecutable under the International Crimes Tribunal Act. The proposed legislation also incorporates standard definitions, offences, procedures under the Code of Criminal Procedure and specific punishments, including life imprisonment or the death penalty in cases where a body is recovered.

The Minister said the bill would also allow the legal heirs of disappeared persons to manage their assets after five years with court approval. It further provides for state-backed compensation where perpetrators fail to pay compensation ordered by the court.

“I am the Home Minister, and I myself am a victim of enforced disappearance. Why would I not want a strong anti-disappearance law in Bangladesh? Governments may change, but this law will remain,” he said.

On institutional reforms, Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has drafted an updated National Human Rights Commission Act in line with international standards while taking Bangladesh’s national context into account.

He added that law enforcement agencies, which the government inherited in a fragile condition, are being continuously motivated and strengthened through moral and institutional reforms, as well as a structured system of rewards and disciplinary measures.

Regarding recent allegations surrounding an incident involving Miraj Sheikh in Mongla, Bagerhat, the Home Minister rejected claims of political involvement or a state-sponsored disappearance.

He said an independent investigation involving multiple forces had already been conducted and assured that the government remained transparent and open to any further independent inquiry if necessary.

“We have demonstrated our sincerity over these six months. I seek everyone’s cooperation so that we can maintain the rule of law and uphold human rights throughout the rest of our tenure,” he added.