HRFB also urges open rejection of police proposal for change

Expressing concern over police's recent proposal to amend the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013, a network of 19 rights bodies yesterday demanded that the government openly announce the scrapping of the recommendations, which it said ran counter to the constitution and would exempt law enforcers from accountability.

Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB), in a press release, said the government should make it clear that impartial and credible investigations would be conducted into the allegations of torture against anyone. No-one will be let off the hook if they are found guilty, it read.

Torture and death in custody is a sheer violation of human rights, and it is worrisome when the law enforcers facing such allegations make the recommendations of changes, the release added. In the act passed in 2013, the parliament outlawed torture at the hands of law enforcers or government officials.

Recently, the police headquarters sent a letter to the home ministry, proposing to scrap the act's Section 12 that says no excuses like war situation, threat of war, political instability, state of emergency, or orders of senior official or the government authorities will be acceptable for any crime under this law.

They also sought amendment to Section 14 and dropping of several sections.

The act was passed in the line with the UN convention adopted on December 10, 1984 against torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.

Bangladesh signed the convention on October 5, 1998 during the past Awami League-led government's tenure, promising effective legislation and administrative and judicial measures to prevent such torture.

The forum also said Article 35 (5) of Bangladesh's constitution stated, "No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment or treatment."