TORTURE: ASIAN AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES | OCTOBER 2013
SC: Continued engagement to ensure that the rule of law rules, in all areas, and without exception, and this new law aimed at curbing custodial torture and death provides a unique opportunity and entry point to do so. We cannot afford to miss out. Much thought and consideration went into the drafting of this law and it can be truly regarded as being ground breaking in context of Bangladesh. Those, including the AHRC, who supported this now need to continue their engagement and extend it to the next level and make sure that this law brings about a qualitative change in the Bangladesh landscape and yields protection to its citizens.
VOLUME 02 NUMBER 04
Local HR outfits know firsthand the ground realities and international ones have the insights and knowledge on challenges of implementing such a law in other countries. Both working as one team with a shared, common objective and a road map detailing what has to be done and how we will go about doing it is a good start up point. If we can establish accountability in an environment of custody, where the citizen is completely helpless and at his most vulnerable and control of law enforcement over him and his freedom is absolute, I think we will have passed an important litmus test as a nation. Only then can we say rule of law really rules and we are indeed effectively guarding the guards. This is thus what is at stake - a mighty challenge as well as a defining opportunity that has the potential to transform Bangladesh.
19