The Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances (CIED) estimates 4,000–6,000 victims of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh between 2009 and 2024.
The commission reviewed 1,913 complaints; 1,569 cases were identified as “probable enforced disappearances”, believed to represent only one-quarter to one-third of the actual total.
-Of the verified 1,569 cases:
•1,282 persons reappeared after unlawful detention.
•287 deaths were confirmed.
•251 remain permanently missing.
•36 bodies were recovered, many showing bullet wounds or found after alleged “crossfire” incidents.
•One in six victims remains missing.
Gender profile:
•98.5% of victims are men.
•Disappearances of women are significantly underreported due to social fear and stigma.
•Political affiliation analysis (out of 948 confirmed cases):
•96.7% were linked to opposition parties and affiliates.
•Only one victim was associated with the then-ruling party.
Among those who later returned alive:
•75% were Jamaat–Shibir leaders/activists.
•22% were BNP and affiliated members.
Among those still missing:
•68% are BNP and affiliated leaders/activists.
•22% are Jamaat–Shibir leaders/activists.
The report links disappearances closely to political pressure and electoral cycles:
•Cases rose from 10 in 2009 to a peak of 215 in 2016.
•Significant spikes occurred during the 2013 BNP–Awami League clashes and ahead of the 2018 national elections.
•After the 2016 Holey Artisan attack, disappearances were reportedly used under the guise of counter-terrorism operations.
•Since 2017, trends show more cases of detention followed by return, rather than permanent disappearance.
Alleged responsible agencies (based on complaints):
•Rapid Action Battalion (RAB): 25%
Police: 23%
•Detective Branch (DB): 14.5%
•DGFI and NSI mentioned less frequently, partly due to victims’ inability to identify agencies.
•7.6% cited abductions by unidentified individuals described as “administration people”.
The report notes joint operations involving RAB, DB, and police, suggesting systemic coordination rather than isolated incidents.
Full report : Amar Desh (CIED Final Report coverage).
