ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE

‘Loophole in draft law could enable secret detention’

Warn UN experts

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

A coalition of United Nations human rights mandates has raised alarm over Bangladesh’s draft law on the criminalisation of enforced disappearances, saying it does not go far enough to prevent and prosecute the violation.

In a formal joint communication to the government dated June 17, 2026, the UN experts warned that the draft “Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026” contains a loophole that could enable enforced disappearances.

The concern centres on a provision stating that an arrest would not be considered an enforced disappearance if the individual is produced before a court within 24 hours, even if authorities keep the arrest completely secret until the person’s production before the court.

“This creates a significant carve-out that can be exploited to shield secret detention from criminal responsibility,” the letter said.

It noted that the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances,

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