‘Tell me, where is my father?’

Family members of victims of enforced disappearances gathered yesterday in front of the High Court's Mazar Gate, demanding answers from the new administration about why those responsible for the abductions have not yet been identified or brought to justice.

The protest was organised by Mayer Dak, a platform representing families of the disappeared.

Maria, daughter of Jubo Dal activist Masum Hossain, who disappeared in 2011, stood holding a placard that read, "Who destroyed the evidence of Aynaghar?"

"Fifteen years have passed since my father's disappearance. Almost ten months have passed since Hasina fled. Yet I still don't know what happened to my father," she said.

"Even after August 5, perpetrators destroyed evidence. No one responsible has been arrested. My brother and I grew up without a father. Those who caused us all this suffering must face trial," she added.

Adiba Islam Hridi was two and a half years old when her father, Parvez Hossain, a Chhatra Dal leader, was picked up by Rab from Shahbagh on December 2, 2013. For the past nine years, Hridi has been protesting in the streets, holding a photo of her missing father.

Now a teenager and eighth-grade student, Hridi said through tears, "I can't bear being without my father anymore. After August 5, we weren't supposed to be standing like this. If there's no one left in Aynaghar, then where are our fathers and uncles?"

Imon -- son of Omar Faruk, who disappeared from Chattogram's Patenga in 2014 -- said Rab picked up his father on February 4 that year, and he has been missing ever since.

"Even after eight months in power, the interim government has failed to trace our loved ones," he said.

Imon demanded the immediate removal and trial of officials accused of involvement in disappearances and killings. "As long as they remain in service, neither we nor our families are safe," he said.

Afroza Islam Ankhi -- sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who was picked up in December 2013 -- said, "We've been protesting on the streets for 13 years. It's shocking and shameful that even today, we have to stand here to demand justice."

Following the protest, Mayer Dak coordinator Sanjida Islam Tulee submitted a six-point memorandum to Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal.

She warned that failure to act would result in wider protests.

Their demands include public disclosure of the names of officials involved; the removal and prosecution of perpetrators; preservation of evidence from Aynaghar; legal action against those who destroyed it; constitutional reforms to prevent further abuse; and formal recognition of the victims' suffering.

Leaders from several opposition and rights-based organisations, including Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, joined in solidarity.

Lt Col (Retd) Hasinur Rahman, who was twice detained in Aynaghar, also spoke at the event.