Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Plans New Directorate to Support Victims of Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances
Photo Collected
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has initiated a proposal to establish a dedicated department tasked with providing welfare, legal protection, and rehabilitation for victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and state-sponsored torture. The proposed entity aims to secure the rights of individuals and families impacted by systemic human rights abuses, ensuring they receive necessary medical care and legal recourse.
The initiative was discussed during an inter-ministerial meeting held on Sunday at the ministry’s conference room, presided over by Minister of Liberation War Affairs Ahmed Azam Khan. State Minister Ishrak Hossain and Ministry Secretary Md. Ashraful Islam were in attendance alongside high-ranking representatives from various government departments, including the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance.
Minister Ahmed Azam Khan stated that the government intends to formally recognize those who sacrificed their lives or suffered physical and economic ruin during the struggle to restore democracy. He emphasized that the state is committed to honoring those who were victims of enforced disappearances, those who suffered permanent disabilities, and those who faced prolonged imprisonment due to politically motivated cases. According to the minister, this institutional framework is intended to prevent future fascist regimes from infringing upon democratic rights or subjecting citizens to state-sponsored brutality.
State Minister Ishrak Hossain highlighted that the fundamental spirit of the 1971 Liberation War was to establish a democratic state where human rights are protected and citizens live free from the fear of state coercion. He alleged that since 2009, these core values were systematically undermined through the suppression of voting rights and state-sanctioned violence. He added that the new initiative is a direct response to the state’s moral obligation to support the individuals and families devastated by these policies.
The inter-ministerial meeting focused on three primary objectives: the formal establishment of the new directorate under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the enactment of legislation to guarantee compensation and full rights for victims, and the amendment of the 1996 Rules of Business to formally integrate these responsibilities into the ministry’s mandate.
Discussions were guided by the United Nations’ Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law, as well as the constitutional obligations of the state. Representatives from other relevant bodies, including the ministries of Law, Health, Social Welfare, and Youth and Sports, provided input on the procedural requirements for the proposed structural expansion.
0%
0%
0%
0%
