Govt questioned over human rights abuses
The Bangladesh delegation attending a UN convention yesterday faced a volley of questions about human rights violations and repression against the country’s citizens.
The 28-member team, led by Law Minister Anisul Huq, had to deal with the queries as it submitted the country’s first periodic report at a session of the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) in Geneva.
This was the first time Bangladesh submitted a report to the CAT since the country’s accession to the UN body in 1998.
Most of the queries the team faced were regarding the role of law enforcement agencies and impunity given to them despite their alleged involvement in torture and custodial death.
In the seven-page report to the CAT, Anisul elaborated on different measures the government has taken since 2009 to “to create an appropriate environment for the full enjoyment of justice and rights by our people”.
“It must be understood that in the intervening period after the assassination of our father of the nation, we suffered from a culture of impunity that created a serious erosion of values in the society.
“All our efforts have been towards removing this evil from the society. And this takes times. Surely, there has been incremental progress which is there for all to see.
“But believe us, we will continue our journey to fulfil the dream of the father of the nation of ensuring rights of all our citizens,” the law minister noted.
CAT Vice-Chairperson Felice D Gaer welcomed the report, but said it was not focused solely on relevant issues.
“While the report, prepared by the government, claims to address implementation, it provides information solely about the country’s legal and policy architecture related to the prevention and punishment of torture.
She also criticised the delay.
“It is very regrettable that this first review is only taking place more than 20 years after the government’s accession to the convention against torture in 1998. It was due one year after accession.
“And the government’s failure to submit a report for an exceptionally long period of time compelled this committee to schedule a review of Bangladesh in the absence of a report.
“We regret that despite the fact that the committee gave the government a nine months’ notice of its intention to review the country’s compliance with the convention, it submitted a report to us only one week ago.
“Could you explain to us more clearly why there has been such a delay in submitting this first periodic report?” she questioned.
In the report, the law minister said it was prepared in consultation with all stakeholders, including different ministries, rights organisations and non-governmental organisations.
He also mentioned that some civil society members failed to attend the view-exchange meeting.
Drawing the delegation’s attention, Gaer sought to know the details of the invitees.
“Could you tell us and provide us with information who you consulted with, when and who was actually invited?” the CAT vice-chairperson asked.
Earlier, the session began with CAT Chairman Jens Modvig, also associate professor of Forensic Science of Copenhagen University, inviting the Bangladesh law minister to present his report.
Referring to the Torture and Custodial Act 2013, the law minister said in the report that the government enacted it to give effect to the convention and also as part of the government’s unequivocal commitment to the obligations of international human rights instruments.
The minister gave details of the government’s legal, administrative and judicial actions for implementing the convention. He also mentioned some judicial directives, especially from the Supreme Court in this regard.
Anisul further said the government has taken measures to provide all kinds of support to the women and children, who have fallen victim to violence.
He pointed out that committees on prevention of violence against women and children have been formed at district, upazila and union levels.
The minister also provided information on 94 complaints against Rapid Action Battalion.
Following investigations, 49 of those were found to be false and 44 were “confirmed”. And the court conducted further proceedings and handed down various types of punishment to 31 people.
Gaer wanted to know whether those 31 were punished in line with the Torture and Custodial Act 2013.
She also said that according to the Civil Society Joint Alternative Report submitted to the CAT, only 10 cases have been filed so far under the act, and none of those has been disposed of yet.
She also asked whether the government will reject the Rab, Special Branch and police’s demand for exemption from the act for the sake of obtaining confessions.
The Bangladesh delegation includes State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, officials from different ministries, and representatives from intelligence and law enforcing agencies. The session resumes today.
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