The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has taken an initiative to establish a new directorate for the welfare of the families of victims of enforced disappearances, murders, and extrajudicial killings over the last 17 years.

The proposed government entity will also arrange welfare support, medical treatment, legal protection, and rehabilitation for victims of torture.

The matter was reviewed in detail at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the ministry's conference room today with Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan in the chair, according to a ministry press release.

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Photo: Collected

Speaking on forming the new entity modelled on the "July Mass Uprising Directorate", Ahmed Azam Khan said, "The state also wants to officially recognise those who made immense sacrifices through prolonged movements and struggles to restore democracy."

“Steps have been taken to recognise the sacrifices of those who were forcibly disappeared, brutally killed or subjected to extrajudicial killings, as well as those who lost their eyesight, suffered physical disabilities, were left destitute by hundreds of false cases, or endured years of imprisonment,” the minister added.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, Secretary Ashraful Islam, and representatives from at least 17 ministries and divisions attended the meeting.