AIP Wire Report, New York
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Bangladesh’s authorities to investigate what it describes as the country’s first reported case of an enforced disappearance. Since the July 2024 uprising, warning that the incident could raise fresh concerns over accountability and human rights protections.
According to HRW, 30-year-old fisherman Miraj Sheikh was last seen after reportedly being taken into custody by members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in April. The rights organization urged the government to comply with a court order directing authorities to investigate the case and determine his whereabouts.
Enforced disappearances became one of the most widely criticized human rights issues during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Domestic and international rights groups documented numerous allegations over the years, leading the post-uprising interim government to introduce legal reforms intended to strengthen oversight and accountability.
HRW argues that some of those reforms have since lapsed under the current government, raising concerns that existing safeguards could be weakened. The organization has urged authorities to preserve independent investigations into alleged disappearances and ensure accountability for security agencies where appropriate.
The Bangladeshi government has repeatedly stated its commitment to the rule of law and judicial reform. The latest case is likely to draw renewed attention from both domestic observers and international human rights organizations as investigations continue. At this stage, the allegations remain under legal review, and the outcome of the investigation has yet to be determined.
