Dhaka: Alleging that all the incidents of enforced disappearance took place at the behest of the government, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday urged the United Nations to take an initiative for forming an international probe team to look into the incidents.

Consoling the victims of enforced disappearances at a programme at her Gulshan office, the BNP chief also said she also fears of being subjected to enforce disappearance and killing anytime under the current condition of the country.

‘The incidents of enforced disappearance, killing and terrorism took place with state patronage. I know Rab and police members cannot carry out such acts without the government order. Many victims’ family mummers on this day demanded the government bring back their near and dear ones through an investigation. But, this regime won’t conduct any probe and a fair investigation is not possible by it,’she said.

Khaleda further said, ‘So, we demand an international investigation into the incidents. We call for forming an international probe team with the UN’s initiative comprising neutral personas of Bangladesh to trace the victims and ensure punishment to those involved in the incidents.’

BNP arranged the programme to express its consolation to the family members of 26 victims of enforced disappearance (2009-2015) marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

At the beginning of the programme, a 13-minute documentary on the victims of forced disappearance was screened.

A heart rendering situation was created as the family members of the victims burst into tears seeing the documentary. Khaleda was also seen turned emotional with tears rolling down her checks.

The victims’ family members also spoke at the programme and urged the government to bring back their near and dear ones for Allah’s sake.

Later, addressing the programme, Khaleda said, ‘There’s no democracy in the country while people have no basic and human rights. No one has the right of expression and holding any programme. Those who’re in power have the only right to do anything and spread lies.’

Khaleda assured the victims’ family members that if her party comes to power it will carry out a fair investigation into all the incidents of enforced disappearance and ensure the punishment to those responsible for that.

‘We can console you and assure you of remaining with you always. But, we can do nothing else. Under the current situation of the country, there’s no guarantee that we won’t fall prey to enforced disappearance and killing. We’re now only counting on Allah (for survival).’

She warned that no one involved in killings and enforced disappearances will be spared. ‘The trial of the incidents must be held one day and the relatives will be able to know what happened to their sons, husbands and brothers, and how they were made disappeared.’

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was adopted on 20 December 2006 by the UN General Assembly.

According to Article 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).