On Friday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made a direct promise to the families of Bangladesh’s ‘disappeared’: his party will not abandon them. Holding nothing back, he branded enforced disappearance a crime against humanity and demanded the most severe punishment possible.
His powerful comments came as he opened a moving photo exhibition and human chain on Manik Mia Avenue. The event was put on by Mayer Daak, a support group for families whose loved ones have been missing—allegedly at the hands of state agencies—for over a decade.
Fakhrul said information on the missing and those responsible for their disappearances must be made public. “Children who lost their fathers, sisters who lost their brothers, and mothers who lost their sons deserve to know the truth,” he told the crowd.
Also Read: Ruhul Kabir Rizvi rejects proportional representation for Bangladesh elections
He directly blamed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of overseeing the disappearances and killings. “She must be tried in this country and face maximum punishment,” he said.
The BNP leader urged families not to give up hope. “People’s movements never fail,” he said. “The youth and children will see justice for what happened to their fathers and brothers.”
After years of warnings from environmental groups, Alam’s comments signal a new balancing act between conservation and tourism. The key question now is whether action will follow his words.
