Following recent political shifts in the country, public demands for an impartial investigation into enforced disappearances, locating missing individuals, and holding responsible parties accountable have gained renewed momentum. Terrifying accounts are emerging from allegations submitted to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
Against this backdrop, the harrowing experiences of those who survived enforced disappearances are coming to light. Among them is M. A. Matin, a joint convener of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Badda Thana unit.
On October 20, 2015, plainclothes operatives picked up Matin from outside his home. For the next 25 days, his family had no trace of him. It was a time of absolute terror and uncertainty, leaving his loved ones with no answers regarding his whereabouts, condition, or whether he was even alive.
While he resurfaced after 25 days, his ordeal was far from over.
Framed in the Cesare Tavella Murder Case
Matin was subsequently named as an accused in the high-profile murder case of Italian national Cesare Tavella. His brother, M. A. Qaiyum founding president of Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP and BNP’s microcredit secretary along with several other party leaders, were also implicated.
Family members and political colleagues alleged that Matin was held in a secret location and subjected to intense torture. They claimed authorities attempted to coerce a confession from him implicating BNP's current Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, and M. A. Qaiyum.
However, colleagues emphasize that due to his unshakeable loyalty to his party and leadership, Matin refused to yield. Despite extreme pressure and torture, he declined to give a coerced or fabricated statement.
From Disappearance to Prison
After 25 days in secret detention, Matin faced a new struggle: years of imprisonment and legal battles. For his family, this meant prolonged mental distress and uncertainty.
Following an extended legal process, the court finally acquitted M. A. Matin on July 3, 2025. While the verdict marked a victory, the decade of lost time and the trauma of those 25 days remain a harrowing memory.
Upon his release, Matin rejoined political activities, actively participating in anti-autocracy demonstrations and campaigns for democracy and voting rights.
A Call for Accountability
While prominent figures like former BNP leader M. Ilias Ali missing since April 17, 2012 remain unaccounted for, survivors like Matin serve as vital witnesses to these events.
Today, the demand for a fair investigation into who orchestrated these secret detentions and falsely implicated individuals in criminal cases is growing stronger. The key question remains: will the full truth finally come to light, and will victims receive the justice they deserve?
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