Dhaka, April 28: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Edwards, has expressed concern over the lack of an ‘A-status’ national human rights commission and the absence of a national prevention mechanism to curb torture in custody in Bangladesh.
During an advisory meeting held at the Holiday Inn in Dhaka, she stated that violence in the country is deeply systemic and has been prevalent for a long time.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the framework for preventing torture and enhancing accountability in Bangladesh. It was organized collaboratively by the 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 tour in Bangladesh, noted that while the country has a strong legal framework, its supporting structures are inadequate. The Daily Star reported her comments, highlighting that the Bangladeshi Constitution prohibits torture, the country has ratified the Convention Against Torture, and a law criminalizing torture was enacted in 2013.
However, she emphasized that the most significant shortcoming is the absence of an ‘A-status’ national human rights commission, which should meet the standards set by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. Strong safeguards in police custody are essential to prevent torture.
She outlined that individuals in custody should be aware of their status, have the right to meet with a lawyer, undergo medical examinations, and have their interactions recorded through audio and video. Additionally, they should be presented in court promptly.
Edwards also stressed that judges must not overlook torture and should refrain from sending individuals to overcrowded and violent prisons. There is a need for independent bodies to investigate cases of torture in custody, ensuring that investigations are swift and impartial, free from any influence of the guilty parties.