Army not institutionally involved in enforced disappearances but was 'aware', says investigation commission

The Bangladesh Army was not institutionally involved in enforced disappearances, but it was aware of such incidents, according to the chief of the commission investigating the abductions.

Former justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, the chair of the commission, said the Army as an institution had no official role in the disappearances.

Citing former army chief Nur Khan Liton, a member of the commission and human rights activist, said that while the force may not have been officially involved, it was “aware” of what was happening.

The remarks came a day after a delegation from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), led by its vice-chair Grażyna Baranowska, met with Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-uz-Zaman in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Waker reportedly said personnel linked to such incidents had operated under the command of “relevant agencies” and that the Army remains committed to justice, human rights, and cooperation with national and international investigations.

Asked about Waker’s comments, Moyeenul said agencies such as the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) fall under the Ministry of Defence and report directly to the minister, a role typically held by the prime minister in Bangladesh.

“DGFI officers, as well as many from the National Security Intelligence (NSI), and key commanders in the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), including its additional director general (operations), were deputed from the armed forces -- Army, Navy or Air Force.

“These officers remained under separate commands, although they were part of the armed forces,” Moyeenul said.

He emphasised that the institutional Army was not responsible for the disappearances, but added: “That’s true as an institution, but the officers involved in DGFI, NSI, or RAB were from the military.”

Nur Khan added, “It cannot be said they didn’t know. A former army chief publicly said that two soldiers sought refuge with him because they did not want to be involved in such acts.

“After such a statement, it’s no longer credible to claim they were unaware. However, there was no official, institutional involvement.”