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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Crime & Justice

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From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) criticized the government's one-day deadline for public opinion on the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act.
  • TIB called the short consultation period a "mockery" and urged a two-week extension for meaningful participation.
  • While TIB welcomed provisions recognizing enforced disappearance as a distinct offense and holding officials accountable, it questioned the police's role in investigations and the potential for the law to be ineffective.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly criticized the government's decision to allow stakeholders only one day to submit opinions on the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act. TIB described the move as a "mockery" and urged authorities to extend the consultation period by at least two weeks to ensure meaningful participation.

The draft legislation was uploaded to the home ministry's website on July 27, with opinions requested by July 28. TIB expressed concern that recent instances of laws being rushed through parliament, such as the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026, might be repeated with this proposed law. The organization called for an inclusive revision of the draft based on recommendations from victims of enforced disappearance and other stakeholders.

There are specific allegations that members of the police and other law enforcement agencies were involved in many of the enforced disappearances that occurred in the past.

— Dr IftekharuzzamanTIB Executive Director, questioning the police's role in investigating enforced disappearances.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, acknowledged several positive provisions within the draft. These include recognizing enforced disappearance as a distinct criminal and continuing offense, holding senior officials accountable for issuing orders, and rejecting state security as a justification for the crime. However, TIB raised concerns about the provision assigning investigations into enforced disappearance cases to the police, citing allegations of police involvement in past disappearances.

TIB questioned why this authority was not given to the National Human Rights Commission, as it had been under an interim government ordinance. "Are we then to assume that the political and bureaucratic establishment currently in power has learned nothing from the authoritarian era?" Dr. Iftekharuzzaman asked. He further critiqued Section 15 of the draft, questioning the ability of a subordinate officer to realistically report against a superior, which could render the law ineffective and protect perpetrators.

Are we then to assume that the political and bureaucratic establishment currently in power has learned nothing from the authoritarian era?

— Dr IftekharuzzamanTIB Executive Director, expressing concern over the potential for authoritarian practices to persist.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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