Concern at torture in custody, death in crossfire

They said only reform in judicial system could play the pivotal role in checking these events.

The seminar on 'Criminal responsibility for torture : South Asian perspective ' was organised by Odhikar, a human rights organisation, in the city.

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While speaking at the inaugural session, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed and former Awami League law minister Abdul Matin Khasru were engaged in a debate on the death of arrested persons at Rab (Rapid Action Battalion) custody and torture of detainees at police custody.

Khasru said police are being used by the party in power to reap political benefits.

"Our police force is so corrupt that it has minimum respect for human rights," he said, adding that the outdated method of investigation is also responsible for torture in police custody.

In reply, Moudud said police have been given too much power in the investigation process which sometimes breeds corruption.

"There is nobody to scrutinise the investigation conducted by the police and most incompetent police officer is appointed as court officer," the law minister said, adding that there is no coordination between public prosecutors and investigators.

Citing the examples of Ahsanullah Master killing and some bomb blast incidents, Khasru said the government issued press note even before the FIR (First Information Report) was lodged.

Such kind of practice by the government leads the investigation to a wrong direction, he added.

Criticising the death of arrestees in crossfire, Khasru said, "I congratulate the Rab, Chita and Cobra for nabbing the criminals but my request would be, please do not kill them before holding trial."

The law minister said those, who died in crossfire, were listed criminals.

There are lawyers who defend them to get bail from the court, he added.

Moudud said the death or torture in police custody has to be stopped.

" We are going to modernise our jail code to reduce violation of human rights inside the prison," he added.

Regarding sections 54 and 167, he said, "We cannot just take away the section 54 from the police and repeal the section 167."

The law minister said there should be separate body of police to investigate the cases.

Former chief justice Justice K M Hasan said it would be pathetic if law-enforcing agencies engage themselves in torture in the name of justice.

"People belonging to marginalised groups are often subjected to torture and harassment," he added.

Presided over by Odhikar President Tasneem Siddique, the inaugural session was also addressed by Dr Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University.