BNP recommends dissolution of RAB

The BNP has recommended the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which has been accused of numerous human rights violations, including enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings of hundreds of people.

The US, on 10 December 2021, imposed sanctions on RAB and seven current and former top officials of the elite force, including former inspectors general of police Benazir Ahmed and ‎Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, in connection with serious rights abuses.

Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office in Dhaka today, the party's Standing Committee member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said they have already made the recommendation to the police reform committee formed by the interim government.

RAB was formed in 2004 during the BNP-led four-party alliance rule.

When asked why the party now thinks the elite force should be disbanded instead of reformed, Hafiz said, "RAB has been condemned internationally to such an extent – and within the country, it has become a monstrous entity. Most of the killings, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings have been carried out through this force. For this reason, we have recommended its dissolution."

It is not desirable to imagine any state or society without the police, Hafiz added. "Therefore, despite having almost turned into a public enemy, there is no option but to discard this force. It must be reformed and re-established."

The BNP has also recommended the formation of a police commission to keep the force in check by providing proper guidance, advice and support.

During the Awami League's 15-year rule, Bangladesh turned into a police state, said the BNP leader. 

"In order for the police force to become more sensitive to the people, we have made various recommendations to instil in their minds the notion that the people are the owners of the country…they are not the masters of the people, but their servants. We have suggested ways to embed this idea in their minds."

BNP's recommendations

The BNP in its recommendations, states, "The Rapid Action Battalion, which is part of the police's organisational structure, has been widely condemned and criticised domestically and internationally.

"Various local and international human rights organisations, the United Nations, most political parties, and intellectuals have blamed RAB for most of the enforced disappearances, murders, tortures, and oppressions that had occurred in the country."

The BNP also said measures need to be taken to ensure that the Armed Police Battalion and the local police stations can manage RAB's responsibilities.

"Although the reform committee did not request recommendations from the BNP, we have submitted our proposal anyway," Hafiz said, adding that reform of such an essential state service is now a timely demand.

"We have spoken with retired police officers, journalists, and many others [before making the recommendations]. We have recommended reducing the gap between the police and the public," Hafiz added.

The BNP's recommendations on police reform include ensuring the police's work is people-friendly and acceptable, taking steps to ensure the welfare and development of the force, formulating necessary laws and regulations for managing the force, and expanding the force and acquiring necessary equipment.

It also includes providing the force with modern training following international standards to enhance its members' skills, taking necessary action by the highest departmental command in cases of deviations from established laws and regulations, and providing necessary guidance to the police on issues of national importance.

The BNP recommended making the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on home ministry the chairman of the police commission.

It suggested including eight more people in the commission: two members of parliament from the ruling party, one MP from the opposition party, one university professor, one High Court lawyer, two distinguished citizens from society, and one additional secretary nominated by the home secretary.