60pc call for independent probe: Survey

FE Team | Published: December 04, 2024 00:46:51

Sixty per cent of those taking part in a survey have demanded investigations into allegations of human rights violations by the police through an independent organisation, reports UNB.
Many also supported forming a permanent investigative commission led by a retired justice of the High Court to probe such allegations against the police according to the survey on 'The Kind of Police We Want.' Currently, no independent body investigates such allegations.
The survey findings were revealed on Tuesday by the Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Section 18 of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009 bars the Commission from investigating allegations against the police or other law enforcement agencies.
Of the remaining respondents, another group advocates empowering the Human Rights Commission through legal amendments to investigate such allegations.
The survey also uncovered that 58.9 per cent of respondents support creating a regulatory agency or commission to ensure police accountability and shield them from undue influence.
Meanwhile, 41.1 per cent favour establishing an independent ombudsman for the police within a constitutional framework.
The Home Ministry conducted this survey with the participation of 24,442 people.
Among them, 86.6 per cent were aged between 18 and 44. However, nearly 95 per cent of the respondents were male.
Of the respondents, 36.4 per cent were employed, 27.2 per cent were students, 7.6 per cent were businessmen, and 7.1 per cent belonged to other significant categories. Most respondents were from Dhaka district, followed by Chattogram and Cumilla.