Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances drop dramatically after US sanctions against RAB: HRW | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
May 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances drop dramatically after US sanctions against RAB: HRW

Bangladesh

TBS Report
12 January, 2023, 12:10 pm
Last modified: 12 January, 2023, 10:37 pm

Related News

  • World Bank signals $500m budget support for Bangladesh amid IMF uncertainty
  • Eastern Bank to issue Tk800cr bond
  • Stocks see slight uptick after CA’s meeting 
  • Limited resources must be utilised thru proper planning: Planning adviser
  • 2 injured as Arakan Army reportedly opens fire, kidnaps 3 Bangladeshis from Naf River

Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances drop dramatically after US sanctions against RAB: HRW

TBS Report
12 January, 2023, 12:10 pm
Last modified: 12 January, 2023, 10:37 pm
Logo of Human Rights Watch. Photo: Collected
Logo of Human Rights Watch. Photo: Collected

Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Bangladesh dropped dramatically following the US sanctions against Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and some of its top commanders back in December 2021, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in its annual report. 

It said the downward trend indicates that authorities have the ability to bring security force abuses under control.

The rights group, in the annual report reviewing human rights standards in nearly 100 countries, claimed that instead of taking steps toward reform, authorities in Bangladesh launched a campaign of threats and intimidation against human rights defenders and families of victims of enforced disappearances. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

On a critical note, the HRW alleged that, "Despite a temporary drop in abuses following the announcement of US sanctions, security forces showed signs of returning to old practices, targeting the ruling Awami League's political opponents and critics." 

It claimed that the government dismissed the allegations that led to sanctions, saying they were "false and fabricated" and in January authorities awarded two sanctioned RAB officials prestigious police medals for their "bravery and service" to the country.

"On 14 August, Netra News – which is blocked in Bangladesh – published a whistleblower report revealing that Bangladesh officials were allegedly holding and torturing victims of enforced disappearance at a secret detention site.

"The torture and death in custody of Indigenous activist Nabayan Chakma Milon shed light on security force abuses in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and land-grabbing, with little redress," the HRW further highlighted.

In addition, the HRW noted that authorities have intensified restrictions on the livelihoods, movement, and education of the Rohingya refugees currently residing in Bangladesh, adding that the international attention to this humanitarian crisis has waned and efforts to help them remain severely underfunded.

The HRW also stated that the attacks against members of the political opposition in Bangladesh are rising and expressed concerns about violence and repression ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. 

The rights watchdog made separate segments on Bangladesh as an overview of the events that took place last year to shed light on a number of categories – Attacks on Human Rights Defenders, Freedom of Expression, Covid-19, Women and Girls' Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Disability Rights, Rohingya Refugees, Climate Change Policies and Actions and Key International Actors.

It wrote that the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly prepared a list of dissidents abroad who are committing "anti-state" activities, and authorities are increasingly targeting relatives of expat dissidents, adding that the government also increasingly targeted human rights organisations. 

Bangladesh authorities continued to arrest its critics under the draconian Digital Security Act (DSA) and the government has ignored pleas from the UN and international partners to suspend and reform the abusive law, the annual report added.

The rights body, citing children's rights advocates, also raised concerns that thousands of students in Bangladesh, after almost 18 months of Covid-19-related school closure (one of the longest in the world) were not returning to school and instead that many of these children were pushed into child labour amid the economic fallout during the pandemic.

Women in Bangladesh continue to have little recourse to seek protection, services, or access justice in case of domestic violence. Bangladesh continues to have one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, HRW claimed.

It also wrote that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and advocates in Bangladesh faced violence and threats without adequate protection from the police as same-sex here is criminalized with penalties from 10 years to life in prison. 

HRW also recognised Bangladesh as one the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, despite having contributed little to the greenhouse gas emissions causing rising temperatures.

Top News

HRW / RAB / Bangladesh / US sanctions

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    World Bank signals $500m budget support for Bangladesh amid IMF uncertainty
  • EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed holds a press briefing at the EC office in Agargaon, Dhaka on 12 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    EC suspends banned AL's registration, disqualifies for JS elections
  • Office of Dhaka Stock Exchange. File Photo: TBS
    Stocks see slight uptick after CA’s meeting 

MOST VIEWED

  • Food, fertilisers, raw materials: NBR plans advance tax on 200 duty-free imports
    Food, fertilisers, raw materials: NBR plans advance tax on 200 duty-free imports
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Cyclone ‘Shakti’ likely to form in Bay of Bengal between 23–28 May, warns meteorologist
  • A view of the state-owned Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka, illuminated in the evening. The photo was taken on Sunday. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    InterContinental seeks Tk900cr govt-backed loan to recover from losses
  • Illustration: TBS
    Awami League, all its affiliates now officially banned
  • Regulator rejects govt bid to take over Tk1,500cre investor funds
    Regulator rejects govt bid to take over Tk1,500cre investor funds
  • Minimum Tk10,000 can be invested in 6th govt Sukuk
    Minimum Tk10,000 can be invested in 6th govt Sukuk

Related News

  • World Bank signals $500m budget support for Bangladesh amid IMF uncertainty
  • Eastern Bank to issue Tk800cr bond
  • Stocks see slight uptick after CA’s meeting 
  • Limited resources must be utilised thru proper planning: Planning adviser
  • 2 injured as Arakan Army reportedly opens fire, kidnaps 3 Bangladeshis from Naf River

Features

Stryker was released three months ago, with an exclusive deal with Foodpanda. Photo: Courtesy

Steve Long’s journey from German YouTuber to Bangladeshi entrepreneur

6h | Panorama
Photo: Courtesy

No drill, no fuss: Srijani’s Smart Fit Lampshades for any space

1d | Brands
Photo: Collected

Bathroom glow-up: 5 easy ways to upgrade your washroom aesthetic

1d | Brands
The design language of the fourth generation Velfire is more mature than the rather angular, maximalist approach of the last generation. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

2025 Toyota Vellfire: The Japanese land yacht

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Crisis in the Construction of Icebreaker Ships: Extreme Weakness of the United States in the Maritime Industry

Crisis in the Construction of Icebreaker Ships: Extreme Weakness of the United States in the Maritime Industry

3h | Others
Students sing the national anthem in unison in front of the Raju sculpture

Students sing the national anthem in unison in front of the Raju sculpture

3h | TBS Today
Vikram Mishri faces fire after declaring ceasefire

Vikram Mishri faces fire after declaring ceasefire

4h | TBS World
US-China 90-day deal changes stock markets

US-China 90-day deal changes stock markets

5h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net