State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh has requested consular access to three individuals detained in India in connection with the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, but the request is still awaiting approval from the Indian government.
She made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday evening.
“We are communicating with India. The government is making every effort to obtain consular access to those who have been detained and to bring them back. Our Home Ministry is also working on the issue,” she said.
Shama Obaed Islam added that Bangladesh had initially sought consular access for two of the detainees and later extended the request to include a third individual who was arrested subsequently.
“After we receive consular access, we will be able to investigate and provide further details. The process is still ongoing, and we hope India will fully cooperate,” she said.
Nine human rights organizations, including the US-based Human Rights Watch, have called on Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to dissolve the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), citing concerns over alleged human rights violations. The appeal was made in a joint letter highlighting accusations of abuses linked to the elite law enforcement unit.
Responding to the issue, the state minister said she had not yet reviewed the report.
“Over the past 17 years, we have witnessed human rights violations in many areas. Human rights have been repeatedly violated,” the minister said.
She added that the Rapid Action Battalion, which was established to ensure public safety and maintain law and order, had been used by the previous government led by the Awami League against the people.
The minister further stated that the government formed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a “humane government” and is committed to strengthening the protection of human rights in Bangladesh.
