In a significant development, Michael Chakma, leader of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), has filed a complaint of enforced disappearance against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and unidentified individuals at the International Crimes Tribunal. The complaint, lodged on Wednesday at the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, seeks justice for a long-standing case of abduction and unlawful detention.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam confirmed receipt of the complaint, stating, “We have taken note of Michael Chakma’s allegations and will begin an investigation promptly.”
When Chakma arrived at the tribunal to file the complaint, he was accompanied by noted photographer Shahidul Alam and his wife, Professor Rehnuma Ahmed.
The incident dates back to April 9, 2019, when Chakma disappeared from the Kanchpur area of Narayanganj while returning to Dhaka after completing organizational work. Following his disappearance, UPDF, progressive organizations, human rights groups, and civil society members organized protests demanding his recovery. International bodies, including Amnesty International, also called on the government to locate him.
Despite a police complaint filed in Narayanganj and a subsequent writ petition in the High Court by Chakma’s family, the former government reportedly took no action to address the case.
Chakma was eventually released on August 7, 2024, five years and three months after his disappearance, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. He was found blindfolded in a remote area of Chittagong in the early hours of that day.
The filing of this complaint marks a new chapter in the fight for accountability regarding enforced disappearances in Bangladesh, with observers closely watching how the tribunal handles the case.
