Bangadesh's interim government has vowed to investigate the cases of hundreds of dissidents abducted by security forces under the regime of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. FRANCE 24's special correspondents in Bangladesh Navodita Kumari, Léa Delfolie, and Khansa Juned met with one former detainee as well as with activists and families still hoping to be reunited with their loved ones.
Families of missing dissidents in Bangladesh are harbouring fresh hope that their loved ones will resurface following the ouster of of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month.
Rights groups say that more than 600 people, including political opponents, lawyers, and journalists, have been victims of “enforced disappearances” during Hasina’s 15-year autocratic rule.
Indigenous rights activist Michael Chakma says he saw no daylight during the five years he was held in Dhaka by Bangladesh’s special police unit. He was released two days after ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student protests. “I was so scared for my life,” he says.
The interim government has pledged to fully investigate these forced disappearances. Three people have already been freed so far.
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