Former member of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances Nabila Idris criticized a cabinet-approved draft law Tuesday, warning that several provisions could obstruct justice and expose affected families to legal harassment and punishment.
Idris raised the objections in a post on her Facebook account, focusing on Sections 14 and 21 and what she described as their potential adverse effects.
Under Section 14 of the draft, when a family accuses a security force of an enforced disappearance, that force would investigate the allegation itself. Idris argued that this could allow police or another law enforcement body to investigate accusations against itself and absolve its own members, undermining impartiality.
Section 21 proposes up to five years of rigorous imprisonment for a complainant or affected family if a court finds an enforced-disappearance allegation false after an investigation. Idris said the threat of punishment could make families too afraid to speak.
The cabinet approved the draft law Monday. Families and rights advocates have long called for an independent structure to investigate enforced-disappearance allegations against state or law enforcement agencies.
Human rights advocates and others involved in the issue said allowing an accused force to investigate itself would make justice difficult to obtain. They also warned that a five-year sentence for a false complaint could create severe psychological pressure and a legal threat for families.
Idris’ comments added to calls from critics for the draft to be revised before enactment.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report