Govt approves ordinance with death penalty for enforced disappearance

The government has given final approval to the draft of the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance, 2025, introducing the death penalty as the maximum punishment for committing enforced disappearance.

The approval came at an Advisory Council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, said CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He said, “There has been extensive debate over the law to prevent and remedy enforced disappearance. Today, it has been finally approved. The ordinance defines enforced disappearance and treats it as a continuing offence, prescribing severe punishment, including the death penalty.”

The press secretary further said that establishing and operating secret detention centres, commonly known as Aynaghar, will be declared a punishable offence under the new law.

The National Human Rights Commission and an independent Investigation Commission will be empowered to receive and investigate complaints related to enforced disappearance, he added.

The ordinance also requires completion of trial within 120 days after framing charges in the tribunal, ensures protection of victims and witnesses, and guarantees compensation as well as legal assistance for the victims.