By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh – The latest report by the Human Rights Watch called on the Bangladesh government to take urgent action “to end impunity for human rights abuses and to establish rule of law.”  According to the report, although extrajudicial killings have decreased since a new government took power in January 2009, Bangladesh security forces routinely engage in unlawful killings.

Detainees are subjected to severe beatings, sexual violence and electrical shocks, but Bangladesh’s Constitution allows the parliament to pass laws that shield law enforcement officers and members of armed forces from prosecution.  Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said Bangladesh’s Constitution is in violation of international legal standards.  He also added that as a party to UN human rights conventions, Bangladesh’s “existing culture of impunity has to be torn down.”

Over the past five years, Bangladesh’s elite crime fighting force known as the Rapid Action Battalion, along with the police, are reported to be responsible for over 1,000 deaths, and have become a symbol of abuse and impunity.  “If you are a soldier, a member of the Rapid Action Battalion or the intelligence services, or a police officer, you can get away with murder in Bangladesh,” said Adams, “But those who kill or torture should be behind bars with other violent criminals.”

Faruk Khan, a senior member of the Cabinet, said that the Bangladesh government does not support extrajudicial killings and that proper action will be taken against those found guilty.

Odhikar, a Bangladeshi rights group, said 14 people have been killed so far in 2009.  Human Rights Watch is pushing for the Bangladesh government to set up witness protection programs and prosecute or take action against those who try to hinder prosecution.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Rights group slams Bangladesh state ‘murders’ – 19 May 2009

Associated Press – Watchdog: End Bangladesh’s extra-judicial killings – 18 May 2009

Human Rights Watch – Bangladesh: Executions, Torture by Security Forces Go Unpunished – 18 May 2009

Reuters – Rights group urges Bangladesh to end unlawful killings – 18 May 2009