Extra-judicial Killings: Strip Rab, cops of impunity
UNDP-sponsored study finds 50pc respondents unaware of human rights
Terming the level of extrajudicial killings by law enforcement
agencies unacceptable, a UNDP sponsored study has recommended putting
an end to the impunity police and Rapid Action Battalion enjoy in the
country.
"Major problem is the impunity that the perpetrators enjoy," said Greg
Moran, who presented a study titled "Perceptions, Attitudes and
Understanding on Human Rights in Bangladesh" at Hotel Lake Shore in
the capital yesterday.
The study was conducted under Bangladesh National Human Rights
Commission Capacity Building Project on the basis of a survey on 3,632
households, 23 key informant interviews, and 24 focus group
discussions in 38 districts.
The study found that 50 percent of the respondents were not aware of
the phrase "human rights". A large number of those who heard the
phrase were not able to describe what it means, said Greg Moran.
A large number of respondents also did not know that human rights are
legally protected, he added.
The study covered general understanding of human rights, civil and
political rights, socio-economic rights, child and labour rights,
indigenous peoples' rights, and climate and environment.
It did not find sharp increase in extrajudicial killings by law
enforcers in recent times, but noted that there is no recorded case of
police or Rab officials ever having been prosecuted for their
excesses.
It recommended focusing on increased understanding of when police or
Rab may or may not use lethal force.
In contrast to the view of some commentators that there appears to be
some public acceptance or support for Rab excesses, most respondents
in the survey said use of lethal arms by law enforcers is never
acceptable.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed however claimed that the number of
extrajudicial killings by law enforcers has come down significantly,
and the government never supports such killings. "We believe in rule
of law. None is above law," he said.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman said
he found tolerance in the activities of Rab in recent times.
"They do not do anything suddenly now. They now think before doing
anything. However, there is no scope for complacency," he said at the
presentation.
Amnesty International in its annual report in May this year put the
number of suspected extrajudicial executions, especially by Rab, at
more than 60 in the first 10 months of last year.
While Bangladesh made great strides in improving the status of women
in areas such as education, employment and legal reforms, still
domestic violence, poverty, and access to socio-economic rights and
services remain major issues of concern, the UNDP study said.
Expressing concern over barriers to public access to justice it said
the barriers persist in the justice system mainly as a result of
corruption, harassment by lawyers, complicated process, and an
intimidating system.
Low conviction rate in the criminal justice system also leads to
denial of justice for many victims of crime, it added.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said many prisoners remain in jails
because of a backlog of cases. He assured that laws will be amended to
speed up legal proceedings. UNDP Country Director Stefan Priesner also
spoke at the event.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=208935
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