Bangladesh okays death penalty for perpetrators of enforced disappearances

08-Nov-2025

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Bangladesh’s interim government on November 6 approved a draft ordinance prescribing the death penalty for perpetrators of “enforced disappearance”, amid the ongoing trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 15 serving military officers over crimes against humanity.

"This is a landmark law. It will ensure that enforced disappearances never occur again in the country,” press secretary of Chief Adviser Yunus, Shafiqul Alam, said at a press conference after the advisory council, effectively the cabinet, approved the draft.

He said the law criminalises the establishment of secret detention centres such as “so-called Aynaghar” and obligates courts to conduct trials under the proposed law within 120 days of the filing of charges.