A 'chain of corruption' has replaced the 'chain of command' in Bangladesh's law-enforcement system, strangling the nation, an Asia-based human rights body said in a statement Monday.
Mentioning the recent sensational seven murders after they were allegedly abducted by some RAB members in exchange for Tk 60 million bribe, the rights body said, "The politics of blood and wealth reigns supreme in Bangladesh; there is no space for the rule of law."
"The people (in Bangladesh) are forced to pay more to the law enforcers than they do to their government," the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors HR in Asia, said in the statement titled "Bangladesh: Chains of Corruption Strangle Nation."
"Presently, law-enforcement agencies do not comply with the system of rule of law. It is the chain of corruption that is being complied with. And, it is this chain of corruption that is strangling the nation and mangling the fate of rule of law, against the people's aspirations," the AHRC said.
Everyday citizens are abducted by plain-clothed men claiming to be the officers of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Detective Branch (DB) of Police, the statement said, adding that no such incident has been met with a credible investigation. Citizens' questions about the abductions, which are followed by either disappearance or the recovery of dead bodies, have not been answered.
In a few incidents, the abductees have been found alive, following temporary disappearance. These victims and their families are usually more scared than ever.
"Nobody dares to share the true stories of their abduction, either publicly or privately, for fear of extrajudicial execution, and with an understanding that an official complaint will come to nothing. On the other hand, law-enforcement agencies continue to blame 'criminals' for such abductions and disappearances."
The discourse regarding abduction, disappearance, and extrajudicial executions should not focus on only the seven victims of Narayanganj, i.e. on event reporting.
There are so many names like Mohammad Salim Mian, Imam Hossain Badal, Chowdhury Alam, M. Ilias Ali, who were victims to enforced disappearance.
In the last eight years, the AHRC said, hundreds of people have disappeared; the discourse must include all these victims. None of their families has received any answer from the government or justice through the judiciary.
The people have to find a way to bring the rule of law to Bangladesh, the statement added.
