Workshop on 'Draft Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Rules' held

Speakers adressing in the workshop

Police have to take responsibility of committing suicide in custody by any accused'- stated Salma Ali, Executive Director of BNWLA while addressing in a workshop on ''Draft Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Rules''. It is also essential to ensure budgetary allocation and witness protection for effectiveness of the law, she added.  

The workshop was organised by Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA) in association with Save the Children and European Union on December 28, 2014 at BIAM Foundation, Dhaka. Advocate Salma Ali presided over the workshop. Md. Ekramul Kabir, Manager-Child Protection, Save the Children was attended as an Honorable Guest. Advocate Towhida Khondker, Director of BNWLA facilitated the group work and Fahmida Akhter Shirin, Lawyer, BNWLA shared experience of two cases filed by BNWLA under Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013.

Bangladesh has ratified `The UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), 1984'. Bangladesh has an obligation to take all appropriate measures to protect persons in detention from torture or custodial death. Moreover, in accordance with Article 35(5) of the constitution of Bangladesh, `No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment or treatment.'

Advocate Towhida Khondker, in her statement mentioned that a preliminary draft regarding Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Rules has already been made by BNWLA incorporating recommendations of experts and relevant stakeholders through different discussion meetings and consultation workshops held in divisional level. She also mentioned that first ever case under Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013 also filed by BNWLA.

Yasmeen Ghafoor, Additional DIG, Special Branch (SB) stated that it should be considered that whether the provision of mental torture during interrogation would be included or not in the Rules. She remarked that Police have limitations in performing their duties. She further stated that Police would be ineffective if their power is reduced. Md. Shah Alam, Additional DIG, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police stated that Police take departmental action against any of its officials if it is proved that he/she is guilty. Bangladesh Police doesn't tolerate any crime done by any of its officials, he added. He further stated that police who is involved in criminal offence got punishment on the basis of charge sheet submitted by other police officials. Md. Ekramul Kabir, Manager-Child Protection, Save the Children expected that an effective draft Rules would be made with coordinated efforts of the participants.

In the workshop, lawyers and media personalities emphasised on to ensure transparency and accountability of Police. Moreover, they unanimously agreed to ensure safety of the persons detained in custody from all kinds of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.