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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Conflict & Security

Bangladesh vows professional, neutral armed forces based on merit

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Bangladesh's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam stated the armed forces will be developed into a professional, politically neutral force based on merit.
  • The government is committed to justice and institutional reform, ensuring accountability for enforced disappearances and killings, and restoring the dignity of persecuted officers.
  • The government pledged support for July Uprising fighters and their families, with a foundation reporting 15,903 injured and distributing funds, while also addressing the killing of retired army major Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan.

Bangladesh's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam declared the nation's armed forces will be transformed into a professional, politically neutral, and people-oriented force, emphasizing merit and competence as the sole criteria for promotions and responsibilities. "The armed forces belong neither to an individual nor to a political party. They are the people's institution and the guardian of the country's sovereignty," Islam stated at a program organized by the Retired Armed Forces Officers' Welfare Association (RAOWA).

The government, he assured, will not shield individuals involved in enforced disappearances or killings, holding everyone accountable for their actions. Islam also highlighted efforts to restore the "due dignity" of armed forces officers who faced persecution during a "fascist period," noting that a board has completed its review of cases from the previous government's tenure.

The armed forces belong neither to an individual nor to a political party. They are the people's institution and the guardian of the country's sovereignty.

— Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul IslamAddressing a program organized by the Retired Armed Forces Officers' Welfare Association (RAOWA) on the July Uprising.

Further, the government is focused on modernizing the armed forces and bolstering national defense capabilities. The spirit of the July Uprising will be upheld through institutional reform, justice, and national unity, rather than for political or personal gain. Support will continue for the welfare of injured fighters and the families of those killed, with allowances and advanced medical treatment provided.

A presentation by the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation revealed that 15,903 people were injured during the uprising, with significant visual impairment and loss of work ability among them. The foundation has distributed Tk 117 crore to martyrs' families and injured individuals, though an additional Tk 263 crore is still needed. The Defence Adviser also affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring justice in the killing of retired army major Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan.

The government remains committed to restoring the due dignity of our colleagues who were persecuted during the fascist period.

— Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul IslamSpeaking about efforts to address the grievances of armed forces officers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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