Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has said that ending enforced disappearances in Bangladesh requires not just legal changes, but deep institutional reform, calling the crime “worse than murder.”

He made the remarks while addressing a workshop on enforced disappearances held at Gulshan in Dhaka on Saturday.

Asif Nazrul said, “Legal reform alone is not enough. We must transform the institutions that allow such abuses to continue.”

Speaking at the event organised by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances with support from the UN Human Rights Office, he emphasized the judiciary’s pivotal role.

“Only bold and impartial judges can dismantle the culture of disappearance. Justice must be delivered fearlessly.”

The day-long workshop brought together 90 participants, including judges, judicial trainees, human rights experts, and government officials, to discuss accountability, prevention, and redress.

In his keynote speech, retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, Commission chairman, stressed collective action.

“Judiciary, law enforcement, and civil society must work together to end impunity and restore trust in state institutions.”

Among others, retired justice M Farid Ahmed Shibli, commission member, Liaquet Ali Molla, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, and Huma Khan, Senior Human Rights Adviser, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.

The session was moderated by Dr. Nabila Idris, Commission member and BRAC University professor.