HRW urges Bangladesh to investigate first alleged enforced disappearance since July coup
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on Bangladeshi authorities to immediately investigate the alleged disappearance of Miraj Sheikh, 30, from an area near the Sundarbans. HRW states that Sheikh was last seen in the custody of the Coast Guard, suggesting this may be the first enforced disappearance in Bangladesh in two years. The international human rights organization published a report on its website Sunday night, urging the government to reconsider its decision to scrap proposed reforms aimed at preventing disappearances and ensure accountability for law enforcement agencies.
During the previous government's tenure, which ended with the 2024 mass uprising, enforced disappearances were widespread. The interim government, which ruled from August 2024 to February 2026, issued the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance in November 2025, granting independent investigation powers for disappearances and the ability to inspect detention facilities without court orders. However, the newly elected BNP government allowed this ordinance to expire. Instead, they have proposed new legislation that would not grant the Human Rights Commission the authority to investigate human rights violation allegations against law enforcement agencies.
Meenakshi Ganguly, HRW's deputy Asia director, noted that thousands were victims of enforced disappearances during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, and this latest incident indicates such events could recur without proper reforms. She emphasized that the new government must ensure citizen protection, institutional reform, and accountability. Witnesses reported seeing Coast Guard members apprehending Miraj Sheikh on the night of April 10, 2026, near the Sundarbans. Despite initial claims by the Coast Guard that he was on an 'operation' and later denial of his presence, Sheikh's motorcycle was taken and returned by individuals identifying as Coast Guard members. His family has filed complaints and sought government intervention without success. Following a plea from his father, the High Court ordered law enforcement agencies on July 12 to locate and produce Sheikh in court within 15 days. The Coast Guard has repeatedly denied arresting Sheikh or having any information about him.
The reported alleged enforced disappearance of Miraj Sheikh and HRW's subsequent call for investigation highlight persistent concerns regarding accountability for law enforcement in Bangladesh. The proposed legislative changes, which appear to dilute the investigative powers of the Human Rights Commission concerning abuses by security forces, could undermine efforts to prevent future disappearances. This situation presents a critical juncture for the new government, balancing the need for security with the imperative of upholding fundamental human rights and due process. The efficacy of proposed reforms will be a key indicator of the state's commitment to transparency and the rule of law in the coming years, particularly in the context of evolving governance models and technological surveillance capabilities.
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