The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for the disbandment of the Bangladesh police's elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a report, the first time the UN has called for the disbandment of any force in Bangladesh.
The UN has said that the force is involved in 'serious human rights' violations. Although the US has imposed sanctions on RAB for human rights violations, it has not said that the force should be disbanded. But this is the first time that the UN has called for the disbandment of RAB. It has said that personnel who are not involved in serious violations should be sent back to their respective units. They are ready to continue providing technical and technological assistance to Bangladesh to implement the recommendations made in the report in various areas.
However, former law enforcement officials say that the recommendations made by the United Nations for transparency in the state security forces should be accepted. Besides, even if the RAB is not abolished, a comprehensive reform within this force is necessary. Otherwise, the image of various units of the law enforcement forces, including the Bangladesh police, will be greatly damaged at home and abroad.
However, RAB has repeatedly stated that all former RAB officers responsible for human rights violations have been brought to justice.
When asked about the matter, former IGP Nurul Huda told the media that if the UN gives proper evidence to disband RAB, then it should be taken into consideration. We need to see what evidence has been brought in the UN's allegations. If the government again thinks that all the allegations are not true, then reform of the force is necessary.
Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that a decision will be taken after sitting with all concerned regarding the recommendations made by the United Nations regarding the abolition of RAB.
When several senior officials, including RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, were called to inquire about this issue, they refused to talk about it.
A member of the Disappearances Commission, who did not wish to be named, said, "We have advised the RAB to be abolished from the beginning."
Since its establishment, RAB has faced serious allegations against the force. Several incidents have sparked nationwide outrage.
Three-time elected councilor Ekramul was killed in an alleged crossfire by RAB in Noakhalipara on Teknaf Marine Drive Road in Cox's Bazar on the night of May 26, 2018. An audio clip of the moment of the killing went viral across the country.
In December 2013, BNP leader Sumon of Tejgaon police station was taken away in a RAB vehicle and wearing a RAB jacket. He has not been found till now. It is learnt that the victim's family has the CCTV footage of the incident of his abduction.
On April 27, 2014, seven people, including Narayanganj City Corporation's then councilor and panel mayor Nazrul Islam and lawyer Chandan Sarkar, were abducted from the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road. Their bodies were later found in the river. Three members of RAB-11 were directly and indirectly involved in the incident.
In light of all these incidents, on December 10, 2021, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on RAB and six officers of the force for their alleged involvement in serious human rights violations. None of them will be allowed to enter the United States. They will also not be allowed to send or bring any money into the United States.
After the student uprising on August 5, RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman held his first press conference on December 12. He said that there are some allegations against RAB, including disappearances and murders. I apologize to those who have been tortured and harmed by RAB. All of them will be brought to justice through a fair investigation. In the future, this force will not be involved in any such activities under anyone's orders.
