- विज्ञापन -
Dhaka: A recent report by Human Rights Watch emphasizes the critical need for systemic reforms in Bangladesh following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime amid mass protests in August 2024. The 50-page report, titled “After the Monsoon Revolution: A Roadmap to Lasting Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh,” outlines necessary reforms aimed at addressing longstanding political repression in the country. It advocates for the separation of powers and political neutrality within key institutions, including the judiciary, civil service, police, and military.
While the interim government has made notable progress toward institutional accountability, Human Rights Watch warns that this progress is at risk without immediate and significant reforms to ensure enduring democratic governance. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated, “Nearly 1,000 Bangladeshis lost their lives fighting for democracy, creating a crucial opportunity to establish a rights-respecting future in Bangladesh.” She cautioned that this hard-fought progress could be lost if the interim government fails to implement necessary reforms that can resist future governmental repression.
Since taking office, interim leader Muhammad Yunus, appointed by student activists after Hasina’s exit, has committed to key reforms, including ending extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Six commissions have been set up to focus on reforms in vital areas like the electoral system, justice, public administration, police, anti-corruption measures, and constitutional changes. Yunus is expected to start implementing these recommendations in February.
The interim government is also urged to propose a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s session in March to ensure ongoing monitoring of human rights conditions in Bangladesh. Human Rights Watch has called on donor nations to support security sector reforms but warns against doing so without substantial structural changes.
However, the path to democratic governance has faced challenges. Human Rights Watch has reported a resurgence of abuses by security forces, particularly targeting former Awami League supporters. Arbitrary detentions and intimidation are widespread, with over 1,000 police cases filed against tens of thousands of individuals, mostly Awami League members, in just two months. More than 400 former ministers and party leaders are under investigation.
Family members of victims from the Monsoon Revolution have reported pressure from political leaders to sign police reports in exchange for acknowledgment of their relatives’ deaths. Pearson warned that failing to combat radicalization and anti-Semitism could lead to dire consequences, stating, “If we don’t combat radicalization and anti-Semitism, the Holocaust won’t remain a past event we remember and learn from, but a reality we will have to face. Never again is now.”
The interim government has agreed to the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearances and is encouraged to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It is also urged to invite the UN subcommittee on Prevention to provide recommendations on addressing inhumane practices.
Concerns have also been raised about the treatment of journalists under the interim government. By November, authorities had filed murder charges against at least 140 journalists related to their coverage of the Monsoon Revolution, revoked over 150 press accreditations, and brought sedition charges against 19 individuals accused of desecrating the national flag.
Violent attacks against minority communities, particularly Hindus, have reportedly gone unchecked, raising questions about police accountability. While Yunus has pledged to uphold free speech, recent government actions contradict this promise.
Pearson emphasized the need for the interim government to seek UN support to ensure structural reforms, preventing past abuses from shaping Bangladesh’s future. Human Rights Watch highlighted the importance of independent civilian oversight of law enforcement, adherence to international standards on the use of force, and accountability for violations. Member countries are urged to collaborate with the interim government to establish regular UN monitoring and ensure that reforms are not reversed after the current administration’s tenure.
As Bangladesh navigates this delicate transition, the interim government’s capacity to implement lasting reforms will be crucial in determining whether the nation can achieve a sustainable democratic future or remain burdened by its autocratic past.
