From RAB to SRB: TIB warns of more powerful, unaccountable force under new guise

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over the proposed Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill, 2026, saying it could create a more powerful and effectively unaccountable force instead of fundamentally reforming the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

In a statement today (6 September), TIB said the bill grants the proposed SRB broad and ambiguous powers and raises concerns over inadequate legal safeguards governing weapons and use of force, warrantless searches and arrests based on suspicion, conflicts of interest in handling internal complaints, and the transfer of RAB personnel to the new force without proper vetting.

The organisation also objected to provisions allowing members of the armed forces to join the SRB on deputation.

Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said abolishing RAB was a long-awaited policy decision, but merely changing its name would not constitute institutional reform.

"Serious allegations and evidence of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture against RAB require fundamental changes to the new force's structure, personnel, powers, use-of-force provisions and accountability mechanisms to prevent their recurrence," he said.

"Otherwise, creating a force with the same powers and culture under the name SRB would simply amount to changing the shell of the old institution," he said. "Citizens or the international community cannot be misled through merely a cosmetic makeover."

Calling for amendments to several provisions, Iftekharuzzaman said the bill must permanently bar armed or defence forces personnel from joining the SRB on deputation.

"Such a provision would perpetuate the risk of using military combat tactics in internal policing, which in effect trains personnel to eliminate opponents, including through killing," he added.

TIB said the government has an important opportunity to establish a genuinely reformed force after RAB's abolition. It said the purpose of abolishing RAB would be defeated unless the new force has clearly defined powers, independent and impartial oversight, transparent personnel vetting, judicial safeguards and effective remedies.

The home minister introduced the SRB Bill in parliament on 3 September to abolish RAB and establish the specialised police unit under the police. The bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the home ministry for scrutiny and a report within four working days.