March from Banglamotor toward parliament, Jamaat alliance leaders join

Protest march toward Bangladesh Parliament demands action on enforced disappearances

Dhaka – A coalition led by the National Committee on Resistance Against Enforced Disappearances organized a protest march on Sunday from Banglamotor toward the National Parliament, calling for legislation to prevent forced disappearances. Top leaders of the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami, joined the demonstration timed to coincide with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

The march began at Banglamotor intersection at 3:40 p.m. and reached Manik Mia Avenue in front of Parliament around 4:30 p.m. After a rally, organizers planned to submit a memorandum to the Speaker of Parliament.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, former BNP leader Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, and JAGPA Vice President Rashed Pradhan joined the procession. Several individuals who survived enforced disappearance during the Awami League government’s tenure also participated.

Prior to the march, the National Committee on Resistance Against Enforced Disappearances held a brief rally at 3:00 p.m. in front of the Rupayan Trade Centre in Banglamotor. Hasinur Rahman, a former army officer who was forcibly disappeared during the Awami League regime, presided over the gathering. He criticized Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and urged enactment of the Enforced Disappearance Prevention Ordinance, drafted under a past interim government.

At the pre-march rally, speeches were delivered by Akhtaruzzaman and others. In closing remarks, Jamaat leader and 11-party alliance coordinator AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad pledged solidarity with the protest and said a delegation would enter Parliament to submit the memorandum after the march concluded.

As the procession advanced, participants chanted slogans including “Aynaghor secret detention cells will exist no more,” “My brother is in his grave, why is the killer in India?”, “Besiege the Parliament,” and “Takbeer, Allahu Akbar.”

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