Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the government has taken steps to formulate a new law for the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), asserting that the force would operate in the future in line with human rights principles and accountability standards.
He made the remarks at an exchange-of-views meeting held at the RAB headquarters in the capital, marking the force's 22nd founding anniversary.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and RAB Director General Ahsan Habib Palash were also present.
The Home Minister said the elite force would continue under the proposed legal framework, although discussions were still ongoing over whether RAB would retain its current name or be restructured into a new force altogether.
"The government is considering whether RAB's name will be changed or whether a completely new elite force will be formed," he said.
Replying to a question on the US sanctions imposed on RAB, Salahuddin Ahmed said the institution had suffered because of the actions of a number of officials during the previous government.
"During the fascist regime, hardly any state institution remained unaffected. Police, army, RAB and BGB - all were impacted. But an entire institution cannot bear responsibility for the actions of a few individuals," he said.
He said the government had already directed the relevant authorities to bring those responsible under accountability through existing legal mechanisms.
"If a small number of officials go astray, they are personally responsible. The institution itself is not responsible," he added.
Referring to the sanctions, the minister said RAB became embroiled in controversy during the rule of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and was allegedly used as a political tool by the previous administration.
"Many institutions were used to establish a one-party system. That is why sanctions were imposed on RAB, and those sanctions still remain," he said.
The minister expressed hope that the United States might reconsider the sanctions if the government restructures or reforms the elite force.
"Many issues are still under discussion. Let us see what happens," he said.
According to him, the proposed law will clearly define RAB's authority, responsibilities, accountability and transparency mechanisms.
Asked how the government could ensure that RAB would not again be used politically, Salahuddin Ahmed said the conduct of the current administration already reflected its approach.
"Morning shows the day. The current government has completed three months in office. Has RAB, police or any other force been used politically during this time?" he said.
Replying to another question regarding the trial over the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali, the Home Minister said both Ilias Ali's wife and he himself had filed cases with the ICT tribunal.
"The ICT framework contains the strongest judicial mechanism. The Commission on Enforced Disappearances had some limitations because it lacked punitive provisions," he said.
He added that if necessary amendments are made to the ICT law, all enforced disappearance cases could potentially be tried under that framework.
The minister also said the government was working to address existing legal limitations related to such cases.
