RAB may be abolished

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to prevent its misuse for political purposes and to ensure that security forces do not become instruments of repression under future governments.

The New York-based human rights organisation emphasised in its report that without urgent and systemic reforms, the progress achieved by Bangladesh’s interim government since last August could be at risk. Such reforms, HRW asserts, are essential to restoring democracy in Bangladesh.

The 50-page report, titled “After the Monsoon Revolution: A Roadmap to Lasting Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh,” is being published today. It highlights the need for structural reforms in the country’s governance and security sectors, recommending the abolition of laws and detention orders used to suppress dissent. The report also stresses the importance of separating powers and ensuring political neutrality in key institutions, including the public administration, police, military, and judiciary.

HRW suggests that the interim government should seek technical assistance, monitoring, and reporting support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN human rights experts to implement these reforms.

Dissolution of RAB

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), established in 2004 under the BNP-led government, has faced allegations of operating with impunity under successive administrations. HRW’s report highlights concerns about RAB’s involvement in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses.

A RAB official interviewed by HRW recounted his shock upon joining the force in 2016, stating that a trainer had openly claimed responsibility for 169 “crossfires.” HRW’s report notes that RAB operates a specialized team dedicated to disappearances, killings, and crossfires, which carries out most of these activities.

Although political leaders often advocate for dismantling RAB when they are out of power, successive governments have continued to support the force.

The US government imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its current and former officers on 10 December, 2021, citing alleged serious human rights violations.

Further pressure came from the Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances, which, in its 14 December report last year, recommended dismantling RAB.

RAB’s chief, AKM Shahidur Rahman, acknowledged the existence of the unit’s secret detention centers and stated that the unit would comply if the interim government decided to dismantle it.

In this context, HRW has recommended that the UN and donor governments condition the dismantling of RAB on human rights training for all officers associated with the unit to ensure they do not commit similar abuses in other assignments.

Speaking about broader reforms, HRW senior researcher Julia Bleckner stated in Dhaka that law enforcement agencies must operate independently and free from political interference. From promotions to appointments, they must be devoid of political influence, she emphasised.

Bleckner highlighted that successive governments have used RAB as a tool of torture, making reform impossible.

The July uprising was characterised by unprecedented levels of repression, reflecting a well-established pattern of excessive force by politically motivated security forces in Bangladesh, which have long operated with a culture of impunity.