National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman yesterday warned RAB against violation of human rights, and asked the elite force to be cautious and respectful to the country’s laws.
“Be careful, RAB. You have to obey the law. Everybody must obey and respect laws,” the NHRC boss said at a discussion titled “Strengthening Police Accountability in Bangladesh: Challenge and Strategies” at the Cirdap auditorium in the capital.
Saying that the goodwill of Rapid Action Battalion had already been destroyed entirely, he suggested its reforms. The force also should work with the NHRC and pay heed to its recommendations to save face.
“But if they avoid the social criticism, rather than bringing positive change within the force, the crisis will be intensified,” he warned.
However, Mizanur admitted that the NHRC did not hold enough power to bring dramatic changes. “We are not paper tiger either.”
He claimed that had the RAB listened to the recommendations given by the NHRC in the past, the elite force would not have to face such image crisis.
“The law enforcement agencies often say they just follow the high-up’s orders. But if following the orders means saving the killers, showing negligence in bringing the culprits to book or just allowing the culprits to flee the country, that will be of great concerns,” he said.
The law professor also said: “If the NHRC is given the authority for further investigation [into incidents] upon High Court order someday, it will not spare the offenders, not even the high-ups who give the orders.”
The day-long programme was arranged by the NHRC and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives of India.
Mizanur expressed discontent since there had been no RAB official at the event. However, police high officials attended the programme.
Talking on the abduction and killing of nine persons including Narayanganj city panel mayor Nazrul Islam, the NHRC chief questioned how the killers had managed to flee the country if they were under the surveillance by the government.
Director of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives Maja Daruwala said accountability of a law enforcement agency did not mean that the agency to be made accused. Accountably rather enhances power of the force.
She said: “It’s not fair that everyone in power will use the law enforcers or the cops will do whatever the government wishes. Rule of law should be maintained first.”
Sara Hossain, honorary director of Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust, criticised the culture of impunity saying that it had been practiced since the independence. “Even the first elected government of the country practiced this.”
She claimed that the Supreme Court was also facing trouble to work independently. “We saw many honourable citizens have to appear before the court as they spoke the truth. There are many such examples I cannot talk about [now].”
Because of lengthy procedure, she said: “Sometimes people do not get help from the court in the incidents of abduction, torture or other crimes committed by the law enforcers.”
