Calls for compensation and the investigation and punishment of any wrongdoing by public officials have rightly been made, following the final dropping of charges against Limon Hossain.
The 19-year-old had been wrongfully charged with various offences by authorities after mistakenly being shot by law enforcers three years ago, in an incident which caused him to lose a leg.
It is right that inquiries be made into the apparent coverup and persecution which took place against this individual.
The broader question to ask is whether the current legal mechanisms available to the public are sufficient to protect citizens’ rights. The courts provide extensive external mechanisms which can be used to ensure police accountability. Criminal prosecutions can be launched in lower courts against abuse of power and brutality by police, and the higher judiciary has authority to rule on writ petitions and public interest litigations.
However, the public still needs more effective advocacy and representation available to ensure that all cases of wrongdoing are properly heard and brought before the courts.
While the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh, established under the law in 2009 as a national advocacy institution for human rights promotion and protection, has significant powers, its size and funding limit its effectiveness.
The constitution provides for an effective ombudsman to represent the public. With so many ongoing instances of alleged brutality and wrongful killing by law enforcers, the public still needs a more powerful, independent commission to investigate complaints against law enforcers and to provide legal support to individuals bringing cases.
