In what appears to be a significant case for Bangladesh’s legal landscape, the nation’s High Court has made a pivotal decision by ordering law enforcement agencies to track down a fisherman who was last observed in the custody of the Coast Guard. This incident emerges as the first known enforced disappearance since the political upheaval in 2024, which resulted in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for compliance with the court’s directive issued on July 12 and criticized the recent rollback of reforms designed to prevent such injustices.
The fisherman, Miraj Sheikh, age 30, was reportedly detained by Coast Guard officers on April 10 in Joymonir Ghol, near the Sundarbans. Eyewitness accounts describe his removal by speedboat, a narrative that contradicts official statements from the Coast Guard. When his family sought clarification the following day, they were initially told he was involved in an operation. However, later inquiries were met with denial of his detention, HRW reports, illustrating the complexity and opacity often surrounding these disappearances.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Miraj’s father filed a habeas corpus petition, challenging the legality of his son’s confinement. On July 12, the High Court demanded action from law enforcement to present Miraj before the court within 15 days. Despite this, Coast Guard representatives, like Lieutenant Commander Mahbub Hossain, have denied any involvement, maintaining that they possess no information regarding Miraj’s whereabouts (JURIST).
Concerns have been exacerbated by a political context that has seen the dismantling of prior governance structures. Following the BNP’s rise to power post-2024, legislation intended to prevent enforced disappearances was allowed to lapse. Notably, the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance provided mechanisms for independent investigations and recourse. Critics argue that newly proposed laws severely limit the Human Rights Commission’s oversight, specifically restricting probes into security forces’ actions.
Bangladesh’s accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2024 further complicates its current stance. This international treaty obliges member states to enact laws criminalizing such disappearances and to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice. HRW’s Deputy Asia Director, Meenakshi Ganguly, has advocated for the government to restore the powers of the Human Rights Commission, ensuring its independence from executive influence.
The international community maintains a vigilant eye on Bangladesh. Since the upheaval led to Sheikh Hasina’s departure to India, the scope of human rights, as evidenced by this case and subsequent detentions for government criticism, presents ongoing challenges. Despite calls for reforms, the new government’s actions continue to draw scrutiny from global human rights organizations and legal experts.