Govt, opposition must unite to ensure justice for AL-era enforced disappearances, killings: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called on the government and opposition parties to remain united to ensure justice for enforced disappearances, killings and torture allegedly committed during the Awami League regime.

“The government is working to bring fugitive accused and criminals of the Awami League into the ambit of justice,” the home minister made the remarks yesterday (8 September) while participating in a parliamentary discussion on a general motion seeking the repatriation of former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem moved the motion under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed chaired the session.

Addressing opposition lawmakers, Salahuddin said, “Our continuous efforts to bring back the collaborators of fascism and ensure their trial will continue. If you [opposition] cooperate with us in this process instead of blaming us, we will be happy.”

“We, the government and opposition parties, must have one commitment. We will debate, argue, disagree and have the majority here. But wherever the question of the fascist Awami League arises, we will remain united to resist it,” the minister added.

Salahuddin further said the unity forged during the July Uprising in favour of democracy and against what he described as fascism should be turned into strength to uphold democracy.

Describing the alleged repression during the Awami League’s rule, the home minister said, “From 2009 to 2023, we went through horrific repression. For 17 years, this nation went through attacks, cases, enforced disappearances and killings.”

He identified former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as the ‘main figure’ behind what he described as the repression and named Benazir Ahmed and former army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan as key instruments of it.

“We were able to bring Ziaul Ahsan before the ICT, but Benazir fled earlier, sensing the situation,” he said.