Alice Edwards, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, emphasized the absence of an “A-status” National Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh and a national preventive mechanism against custodial torture. She described the violence in the country as deeply ingrained, systemic, and long-lasting. Edwards made these comments during a consultation meeting on enhancing prevention and accountability frameworks for torture in Bangladesh, which took place at the Hotel Holiday Inn in Dhaka.
The event was hosted by Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust, the Association for the Prevention of Torture, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, and Redress. Edwards, who is currently on a week-long study visit to Bangladesh, acknowledged the country’s robust legal framework but noted significant gaps in its implementation. She highlighted the importance of having a strong National Human Rights Commission under the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
Referring to the legal provisions in Bangladesh that ban torture and criminalize it, Edwards stressed the need for effective safeguards in police custody. She emphasized the importance of detainees having access to legal representation, medical examinations, and judicial oversight. Edwards also underscored the role of independent bodies in investigating cases of custodial torture, emphasizing the need for prompt and impartial inquiries conducted at an arm’s length from the perpetrators.
The UN expert pointed out the link between corruption, abuse of power, and torture, describing torture as an extreme form of such abuse. She characterized the current situation in Bangladesh as a pivotal moment for democratic renewal and institutional reform, calling for the establishment of a human rights culture across all sectors. Edwards noted that there are high expectations from civil society and survivors for positive change, urging the government and other stakeholders to seize this opportunity and sustain progress.
