No time to read Just listen to the news!
TL;DR
- The NHRC of Bangladesh has demanded full disclosure about secret detention centers known as “Aynaghar.”
- These facilities are linked to enforced disappearances during Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year regime.
- The NHRC seeks details on the current status, administrators, and legal grounds for detentions in Aynaghar.
- Legal limitations prevent the NHRC from conducting its own investigations, highlighting the need for legislative reform.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Bangladesh has issued a demand for full transparency regarding the existence and operations of secret detention facilities known as “Aynaghar,” or “house of mirrors.” This demand follows a report published by The Daily Star on August 21, 2024, titled “Inside the Aynaghar,” which highlighted the inhumane conditions within these facilities. The NHRC has expressed grave concerns over the reported use of these secret cells for enforced disappearances during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year regime.
In a press release, the NHRC emphasized the need for comprehensive information about the Aynaghar facilities, including their current status, the identities of the individuals who manage them, and those responsible for their establishment. The NHRC has requested that the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs provide detailed information on the number and identities of detainees, the legal grounds for their detention, and the identities of those who authorized the creation of these cells. The deadline for submitting this report has been set for September 25, 2024.
The NHRC’s statement underscores the severe violation of constitutional and human rights norms due to the physical and mental torture inflicted on detainees held in these secret cells. The Commission asserts that the damage caused to these individuals is irreparable and that they are entitled to compensation. The NHRC further highlighted the necessity of investigating the locations of the Aynaghar facilities, identifying those who managed them, and understanding the legal basis for detaining individuals there.
The Commission’s ability to investigate these allegations is constrained by Section 18 of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009, which limits its investigative powers. The NHRC can only request reports from the government concerning allegations of disappearances or abductions by law enforcement agencies, either suo motu or based on complaints. This legal limitation, according to the NHRC, leaves the Commission in a helpless position and underscores the urgent need for legislative reform to enhance its investigative capabilities.
The NHRC’s call for transparency and accountability reflects a broader concern for human rights in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles and legal norms. The Commission’s actions are a crucial step towards addressing the alleged human rights abuses associated with the Aynaghar facilities and ensuring justice for the victims.
