New platform 'Rodh' holds 1st event on disappearance at DU

"Rodh", an anti-fascist performative collective, hosted a special programme on "Enforced Disappearances: Separation and Dissection" at 5pm on Thursday (29 August) at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University.

This gathering sought to critically examine and deconstruct the prevailing narratives surrounding enforced disappearances from diverse perspectives, reads a press release.

The event echoed a powerful demand: the return of all missing persons to their families, justice for those responsible for these disappearances, and a dismantling of the fascist structures that enable such atrocities.

Approximately 200 individuals from various professions and ideologies participated in the event. It commenced with an evocative audio-visual collage on enforced disappearances, setting a poignant tone for the discussions that followed.

Additionally, the artwork of artist Razib Datta, artist and writer Debashish Chakrabarty, and artistic researcher Faysal Zaman was prominently displayed, adding a visual depth to the discourse.

Photo: Courtesy

The event featured insightful speeches by notable figures including Sanjida Islam Tulee, the coordinator of Mayer Daak, researcher and writer Sohul Ahmed, AFP journalist Mohammad Ali Majed, researcher, writer, and human rights activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin, and anthropologist and documentary photographer Moshfiqur Rahman Johan.

Their contributions enriched the dialogue, making the event a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability. 

Sanjida Islam Tulee, coordinator of Mayer Dak, poignantly underscored the fragile existence of families torn apart by enforced disappearances and the struggles they endure. Reflecting on the early days of their movement, she remarked, "When we first began to speak out, we had no solid ground to stand on. Those of us who seek to uncover the whereabouts of our missing loved ones, who work alongside other grieving families, constantly face obstacles at every turn."

She further expressed, "While we hold onto hope with the signing of the convention, a haunting question remains: what will become of those of us who have spent years not knowing where our family members are?" 

Writer and human rights activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin spoke on the role and challenges faced by human rights defenders under past dictatorial regimes.

He pointed out the limitations of recently signed conventions and newly enacted laws, stating, "These measures, while important, cannot truly deliver justice to those who have been missing for so long. Once a new law is enacted, legal proceedings can be initiated under its provisions. However, under the current legal framework, it is impossible to prosecute crimes committed during the previous regime."

He further emphasised the need to dismantle forces like DGFI or RAB, which have been implicated in enforced disappearances. "These entities must be disbanded," he asserted. "If not, even the 57 business enterprises owned by the military will eventually face repercussions. No matter how they try to shield themselves, they will be forced to let go. The question is not if, but when." 

Writer and researcher Sohul Ahmed addressed the use of laws like the DSA and the practice of extrajudicial killings as instruments of suppressing dissent.

He observed, "Disappearances have not been confined to the Awami League era; they have occurred under every regime. However, in this period, we have witnessed an alarming intensification of these disappearances."

Ahmed delved into the structural flaws within the state that enable such incidents, stating, "From the press notes on Siraj Shikdar to those on every victim of extrajudicial killings, the language remains eerily consistent. This reflects the state's ongoing efforts to frame events using similar rhetoric and exploiting legislative loopholes. In cases of enforced disappearances, we see the same pattern. Often, legal cases are only filed after these disappearances have taken place, reflecting a systemic approach to such crimes." 

Anthropologist and documentary photographer Moshfiqur Rahman Johan presented his research-based photographic work on the enforced disappearances. Reflecting on his experiences, he said, "For the past three years, I was often gripped by fear while going about my work. It took time to overcome that fear."

He further elaborated on the plight of the victims' families, noting, "There's a misconception that these families are financially stable. In truth, most have lost their sole breadwinner, plunging them into hardship."

Johan also highlighted the resilience of these families, stating, "All 17 families I worked with have continued to meticulously maintain their archives, documenting the long and painful journey they have endured." 

AFP journalist Mohammad Ali Majed eloquently illuminated the plight of journalists under the shadow of a past authoritarian regime.

He articulated his deep understanding, shaped by years of work on enforced disappearances, asserting, "The phenomenon of enforced disappearances has been employed to instill terror and maintain a climate of fear within society. This deliberate cultivation of fear ensures that the actions of the regime remain unchallenged, even when the legitimacy of elections is in doubt. People are rendered too frightened to voice dissent." 

The discussion culminates in an engaging question-and-answer session between the audience and the speakers. 

The members of Rodh include Zareen Tasnim Saika, visual artist; Debashish Chakrabarty, artist & writer; Mondrila Modhurima, visual artist; Shaharik Istiq Raz, musician & cinematographer; Shrobona Shafiq Dipti, urban anthropologist & academic; Tamim Srote, filmmaker; Moinul Islam Shuddho, photographer; Sumi Anjuman, visual artist; and Faysal Zaman, artistic researcher.