Govt retreats from reforms, weakens rights safeguards 

International rights body Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Bangladesh’s new government of weakening human rights safeguards and reneging on reform commitments through three laws recently passed by Parliament, warning that the changes could heighten the risk of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the international rights organisation maintained that the laws reverse key reforms introduced by the interim government and weaken mechanisms for holding security forces accountable.

HRW alleged that the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has replaced interim government ordinances that strengthened the National Human Rights Commission’s independence and investigative powers. The new National Human Rights Commission Act, it contended, prevents the NHRC from directly investigating alleged abuses by security forces and reduces its institutional independence.

Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Asia director, observed, “To prevent a return to the terrible abuses of the past, Bangladesh needs real security sector reform and an independent human rights body with the authority to investigate allegations of abuse.” She added, “The new government’s efforts to shield security forces from scrutiny and accountability offer no reason to trust that killings and disappearances will remain a thing of the past.”

HRW also criticised the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act, arguing that it weakens safeguards on command responsibility and creates potential loopholes for commanders to evade accountability. It further maintained that powers previously given to the NHRC to monitor, inspect and investigate detention facilities have been removed.

The organisation also raised concerns over the Special Response Battalion Act, under which the Rapid Action Battalion was renamed the Special Response Battalion. HRW contended that the change represents little substantive reform as the new force retains RAB’s personnel, powers, property and records.

HRW urged Bangladesh’s international partners, including the European Union and the United Kingdom, to press the government to strengthen human rights safeguards and accountability. It also called for rigorous human rights vetting and independent oversight in the yet to be drafted rules governing the SRB.

Pearson further remarked that Tarique Rahman came to office promising reform after protesters risked their lives to overthrow a government accused of widespread rights violations. She expressed concern over what HRW described as a rapid return to practices associated with the previous administration.