Law enforcement agencies cannot investigate their own rights abuses: Rights advocates
Speakers say the proposed laws could undermine accountability if law enforcement agencies are allowed to investigate allegations against themselves
Law enforcement agencies cannot investigate their own alleged human rights violations, rights activists, lawyers and politicians said today (19 August), warning that provisions in Bangladesh's draft human rights and enforced disappearance laws could undermine accountability.
The concern was raised at a roundtable titled "National Human Rights Commission Act and Enforced Disappearance Prevention Act 2026 (Draft): Promise vs Reality" at BDBL Bhaban in Dhaka, organised jointly by Voice for Reform and Nagarik Coalition.
Former member of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances Nabila Idris presented the keynote paper. She said the draft National Human Rights Commission Act 2026, Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Act 2026 and a proposed RAB law share a key flaw: allegations of rights violations by law enforcement agencies would be investigated by law enforcement agencies themselves.
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Former International Crimes Tribunal chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam asked, "If the offender is the investigator, how can there be justice?" He also warned that the threat of imprisonment for false complaints could discourage traumatised families of enforced disappearance victims from reporting cases.
Rights activist Nur Khan Liton criticised the proposed National Human Rights Commission selection process, saying eight of the nine members of its search committee were from the ruling party. He warned that the commission could become politically subservient.
NPA organiser Anik Roy called the draft laws a "betrayal" of the July uprising. Human rights activist and photographer Shahidul Alam said security forces, funded by taxpayers, should protect citizens rather than political interests.
MP Barrister Arman said the drafts showed the continued strength of the "deep state" and said his party would work with other opposition parties to oppose the controversial provisions in parliament.
Also present were Daily Waadaa Managing Editor Faisal Mahmud, AB Party President Mujibur Rahman Manju, Alternatives Organiser Tajnuba Jabeen, enforced disappearance victim Fahad Chowdhury Dipu, State Reform's Hasib Hossain and former Police Reform Commission member Zarif Rahman. The discussion was moderated by Voice for Reform Co-Ordinator Fahim Mashrur.
