Government enacts 100-plus laws, including enforced disappearance act.
The government has passed more than 100 laws across its first three parliamentary sessions following its victory in the 13th national parliamentary election, laying key legislative foundations for justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
Key enactments include the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026, and the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Act.
Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act, 2026:
This act defines enforced disappearance as a distinct, cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable criminal offence committed by state officials or entities acting with state consent or approval.
The law prescribes a minimum of three years up to life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to Taka 50 lakh, for enforced disappearance.
If the crime results in death, recovery of a corpse, or if the victim remains unrecovered after five years, penalties escalate to death, life imprisonment, or a minimum of five years' imprisonment, plus a fine of up to Taka one crore.
Fines imposed by competent Sessions Courts will be treated as compensation awarded to victims or their families, recovered from the convict’s property or guaranteed by the State if unrecoverable.
Under Section 29, courts may issue Disappearance Certificates permitting spouses or dependents to manage or transfer property for debt clearance and family maintenance, while property may be declared distributable among legal heirs if the victim remains missing for five years.
Systematic and widespread disappearances will fall under the jurisdiction of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), whereas ordinary detentions exceeding 24 hours will be tried in competent courts.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman told BSS that the government has addressed some fundamental issues in the enforced disappearance prevention and redress law.
“One such provision ensures that families of victims of enforced disappearance can receive their share of the victim’s property. By filing an application before the competent court, they will be able to obtain the appropriate remedy, as applicable,” he said.
