An interim report has been submitted by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (CoIED), revealing significant findings regarding enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. On Saturday, December 14, at 5 PM, members of the commission, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, delivered the report at a formal meeting held at the state guest house Jamuna.

The report, titled "Unfolding the Truth," indicates that the commission has reviewed and scrutinized 758 of the 1,676 complaints it has received so far. Among the findings, the commission has cited evidence implicating former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in giving orders related to enforced disappearances. Other high-ranking officials from her administration have also been named, including Major General (retired) Tariq Ahmed Siddique, who served as her Defense Adviser, former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and senior police officers Mohammad Monirul Islam and Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid.

The commission’s chair, Moinul Islam Chowdhury, emphasized the complexity of these cases, stating that the officials involved acted in a manner that made it difficult to trace the disappearances. According to Chowdhury, different forces were involved in exchanging victims among themselves and implementing the plans through varied strategies. He also highlighted the lingering trauma suffered by many victims who were subjected to severe torture during their disappearances. Some of the victims remain unable to fully recover, still haunted by the events.

Chowdhury further stated that the commission will submit another interim report in March, with plans to finalize the investigation over the next year. The extensive nature of the inquiry, combined with the need for careful verification of evidence, has required more time to complete the investigation.

The meeting was attended by several key figures, including retired Justice of the High Court Division, Md. Farid Ahmed Shibli, human rights activists Nur Khan and Sajjad Hossain, and Nabila Idris, a professor at BRAC University. Additionally, the gathering included Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Ministry of Industries, and Sharmin S. Murshid, adviser for the Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

The report presents a concerning picture of high-level government involvement in the disappearances, with calls for further investigation and accountability. Despite the sensitive nature of the findings, the commission remains committed to uncovering the full truth, stating that much work remains to be done before a final report can be presented.