Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday night alleged that the family members of those subjected to enforced disappearances are being denied justice due to the culture of impunity and lack of accountability of the administration in the country.

In a statement, she claimed that many important leaders of her party, including, ex-lawmakers, municipality mayors, students and youths, fell prey to enforced disappearance and adduction during the opposition’s movement for a free and fair election.

‘The country has now become a den of enforced disappearance and abduction.’

The statement was issued on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to be observed on Sunday.

Khaleda said the security of public life and property is now at stake in Bangladesh for the absence of democratic governing system here.  

‘The opposition leaders and activists are particularly being subjected to widespread enforced disappearance under the rule of current undemocratic and despotic regime.’

She alleged that the government has long been ignoring a demand of the civil society members for forming an independent inquiry commission to stop abduction and enforced disappearance and ensure public safety.

Khaleda urged the government not to follow the footsteps of autocratic regimes of the world and shun its practice of resorting to enforced disappearance and abduction.

She called upon the government to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance adopted by the UN to stop abduction and enforced disappearance.

Adopted on 20 December 2006 by the UN General Assembly, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was designed as a legally-binding instrument against the disappearance of persons.

According to Art 1. of the Convention no one shall be subjected to enforced disappearance.

The Convention has so far been signed by 93 states and ratified by 42 (as at 21 May 2014; current count).

Khaleda Zia alleged that the country has become a safe haven for enforced disappearance and abduction as the government did not sign the UN convention.