Bangladesh Says at Least 287 Killed During Hasina-Era Abductions

Dhaka — A government-appointed commission in Bangladesh has reported that at least 287 people were killed during a wave of abductions carried out under the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with many of the victims linked to opposition political parties.

The findings were contained in an interim report released on Monday, detailing investigations into enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions allegedly carried out by security agencies during the Hasina era. According to the commission, many of those abducted were later found dead, while others remain missing.

The report stated that victims were often members or supporters of opposition groups, political activists or critics of the government, raising serious concerns about the use of state power to silence dissent during the period under review.

Commission officials said testimonies from families, witnesses and former detainees revealed a pattern of unlawful arrests, secret detentions and abuses, with some victims allegedly held in undisclosed facilities before being killed.

“The scale and consistency of the cases point to systemic violations of human rights,” the commission noted, adding that the actual death toll could be higher as investigations are ongoing and several cases remain unresolved.

Human rights groups have long accused the Hasina administration of tolerating or enabling enforced disappearances, allegations the former government repeatedly denied while in office.

The commission has recommended further investigations, accountability for those responsible and comprehensive reforms of the country’s security institutions to prevent a recurrence.

The Bangladeshi government said it remains committed to uncovering the truth, delivering justice to victims’ families and strengthening protections for political freedoms and human rights.