Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Saturday said the government is working to build a country free from enforced disappearances, killings, tyranny and torture.

“There will be no place for enforced disappearances, oppression and torture in society . . . We want to build the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” he told the journalists after visiting the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, to be observed tomorrow.

The minister said the BNP had played a leading role in movements against enforced disappearances, killings and torture over the past 18 years, while the incumbent government is committed to building a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.

Recalling the sufferings of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had also joined movements against enforced disappearances and killings from abroad, despite having himself faced torture.

Speaking on the occasion, state minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain said, “The government wants to send a clear message that the days of enforced disappearances are over . . . We want to establish a country based on justice after leaving behind that terrible dark chapter.”

He said such crimes against humanity would never be allowed to occur in the country again and that the elected government is accountable to the people.

The present government is working to ensure justice for past incidents, he added.

Replying to a query, the state minister said it was natural for those accused of killing around 2,000 innocent students and members of the public during the bloody mass uprising in 2024 to remain in jail.

“Cases have been filed against them and investigations are underway,” he said, adding that they would face trial before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in accordance with international standards.

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances will be observed across the country tomorrow. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will organize a rally at BCFCC at 10am.