Human Rights Watch Recommends Comprehensive Reforms in Bangladesh’s Police, RAB and Security Institutions

The UK-based human rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has released a detailed report calling for sweeping reforms in Bangladesh’s security institutions, including the police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The organization has alleged that these institutions were heavily politicized during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leading to widespread human rights abuses. HRW also highlighted the need for judicial reforms and urged the interim government to take decisive action to ensure long-term accountability and justice.

HRW’s Report and Key Recommendations

On January 27, 2025, HRW published a 50-page report titled “After the Monsoon Revolution: A Roadmap to Lasting Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh.” This report serves as a blueprint for systematic changes necessary to prevent future abuses and ensure democratic integrity. Among its central recommendations, HRW stressed the need to:

1. Depoliticize State Institutions: HRW called for the removal of political influence over civil services, law enforcement agencies, military, and judiciary. It emphasized that these institutions must operate independently to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles.
2. Repeal Repressive Laws: The organization urged the interim government to abolish legal frameworks that were historically used to silence dissent and criminalize freedom of expression.
3. Engage International Support: HRW recommended that the interim government collaborate with the United Nations and global human rights organizations to implement sustainable reforms. Training and international oversight were highlighted as key elements to ensure effective reform.
4. Extend Reforms Beyond the Interim Period: The report proposed that the reforms initiated by the interim government should be institutionalized through the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in March 2025. This would provide a platform to secure international commitments and resources for long-term transformation.

Human Rights Abuses Under Sheikh Hasina’s Rule

HRW’s report paints a grim picture of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule, alleging that her government used state security forces for widespread repression. The following key points were outlined:

• Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings: Over 3,500 cases of enforced disappearances were documented during Hasina’s tenure. Many victims were political opponents, journalists, and activists. HRW accused senior officials, including close relatives of Hasina, of overseeing these operations.
• Surveillance and Arbitrary Detention: Security forces were reportedly used to monitor and intimidate critics. Arbitrary arrests and fabricated charges were common practices, often targeting opposition figures and dissenting voices.
• Judiciary Under Political Influence: HRW noted that the judiciary was systematically weakened under Hasina’s rule, with loyalty to the ruling party prioritized over merit in judicial appointments. This led to biased judgments that undermined public trust in the legal system.

Evidence-Based Findings

The HRW report is based on over two decades of research in Bangladesh. It includes interviews with human rights activists, members of the interim government, and former officials from law enforcement and military sectors. Survivors of abuse also provided testimonies that shed light on the systemic nature of repression.

One prominent example is the “secret prisons” operated during Hasina’s rule. Survivors described these facilities as sites of extreme torture. Lawyer Mir Ahmed Bin Kasem, a former detainee, recounted the horrifying conditions he endured, likening them to a fate worse than death.

Challenges Facing the Interim Government

In response to growing demands for change, the interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has committed to implementing reforms before holding free and fair elections. Dr. Yunus has formed several commissions to oversee these changes. However, challenges remain:

• Institutional Resistance: Many senior officials in law enforcement and the judiciary are deeply entrenched in the systems of patronage established during Hasina’s rule. Overcoming this resistance will require significant political will.
• Persistent Abuses: Despite Hasina’s removal, reports of arbitrary detentions and targeting of journalists persist. HRW warns that without swift action, these practices could undermine public confidence in the interim government.

Recommendations for Sustainable Reform

HRW has outlined a multi-faceted approach to ensure long-term success:

1. Strengthen Oversight Mechanisms: The Ministry of Home Affairs should establish independent bodies to oversee law enforcement agencies and hold them accountable for misconduct.
2. Ensure Judicial Independence: The judiciary and prosecution services must be insulated from political interference. HRW suggested reforms to judicial appointment processes to prioritize merit and integrity.
3. Implement Training Programs: International training programs for police and military personnel should focus on human rights, crowd control, and the use of non-lethal methods.
4. Address Past Abuses: A truth and reconciliation commission could investigate past human rights violations and provide justice for victims. This would also serve to rebuild public trust.

The Way Forward

HRW’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson emphasized that Bangladesh is at a pivotal moment. She praised the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy, noting that nearly 1,000 lives were lost in this struggle. However, she warned that failure to implement comprehensive reforms could lead to a resurgence of authoritarian practices.

The interim government has a unique opportunity to rebuild democratic institutions and lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society. By working with international partners and prioritizing accountability, Bangladesh can emerge from this period of transition stronger and more resilient. The upcoming UNHRC session in March 2025 will be a critical test of the government’s commitment to reform.

In conclusion, HRW’s report underscores the urgency of addressing the systemic flaws that have plagued Bangladesh’s governance for decades. It offers a roadmap for transformation that, if implemented, could safeguard the country’s democratic future and restore its global standing as a nation committed to human rights and justice.