The Commission of Enquiry on Enforced Disappearances has submitted its second interim report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The commission led by its Chairperson Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury submitted the report to the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital around 11am on Wednesday, said a press release of the Chief Adviser's press wing.
Among the commission members, human rights activists Nur Khan Liton and Sazzad Hossain and BRAC University teacher Nabila Idris, were present.
Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah were also present at the time.
After receiving the report, the Chief Adviser has asked the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to publish the report.
"Arrangements should be made to publish the report in the form of a website and book. There is interest around it not only in Bangladesh but also globally," he said.
He continued, "What a terrible incident! The "gentlemen" of our society, our own relatives and friends, have committed these incidents. There should be a horror museum based on what you have found. It is a horrifying incident."
"The image of what such a prison is like, the cruelty of being locked up in a three-foot by three-foot detention centre for days after days, for months after months, should be presented to the people," said the Chief Adviser.
At this time, Professor Yunus instructed the commission to outline immediate action points from the report, categorizing them by the responsible ministries to expedite government response.
A commission member informed the Chief Adviser that the incidents were so horrific, even many of the officers and others involved expressed deep regret.
"They contacted us as an attempt to purify themselves. Two officers even wrote letters seeking relief from this. The letters were found in the Ganabhaban. The then army chief also publicly acknowledged this letters," the member said.
The commission members said that they have received 1,850 complaints so far, with 1,350 of them verified.
They anticipate the total number of complaints may exceed 3,500. Over 300 victims of enforced disappearances are still missing.
The commission chief Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury requested the Chief Adviser to initiate measures that would allow families of the missing to make bank (through accounts of their missing relatives).
Chowdhury also recommended amending the existing legal provision that declares a missing person deceased after seven years, proposing the time frame be reduced to five years.
The Chief Adviser advised the commission to inform about what to do, so that steps can be taken as soon as possible in this regard.
Thanking the commission members, Professor Yunus said, "You are working despite fear and various threats. You will be an inspiration to the people of this country. You are an inspiration to those who will work for human rights in the future."
The five-member commission earlier on December 14 submitted its maiden report titled 'Unfolding the truth' to the Chief Adviser at the state guest house Jamuna.
