Experts urge govt to execute anti-torture commitments

Human rights experts, government officials, and international partners have called for swift and substantive implementation of Bangladesh's new obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), opining that its ratification must now be translated into real accountability and protection for detainees.
They said these at a seminar held at BRAC University (BRACU) in Dhaka on Tuesday - jointly organised by the Embassy of Switzerland, the UN Human Rights Office in Bangladesh (OHCHR) and the BRACU School of Law.
The speakers also discussed how Bangladesh should operationalise the protocol, ratified earlier this year, and establish an effective national preventive mechanism (NPM) to monitor detention facilities and prevent torture.
Professor K Shamsuddin Mahmood, Dean of BRACU School of Law, opened the event, urging stronger safeguards, saying that the moment was an opportunity to reinforce human rights protection and accountability mechanisms.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, in his speech as the chief guest, noted that the ratification was not the end, but the beginning of justice.
The National Human Rights Commission Ordinance has been gazetted, clearing the way for the establishment of a formal torture-prevention body, he added.
Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli welcomed Dhaka's accession to OPCAT, describing it as a shared responsibility at a time when Switzerland joins the UN Human Rights Council while Bangladesh concludes its term.
The speakers repeatedly stressed that political will, independence and accountability would determine whether the new mechanism would succeed or not.
BRACU Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury said the dignity of individuals must be protected in practice, not only in principle.
In a keynote address, Ben Buckland of Association for the Prevention of Torture outlined regional examples where strong preventive mechanisms have reduced abuse, offering lessons for Bangladesh.
Dr Saira Rahman Khan, Professor at BRACU and Secretary of rights group Odhikar, opined that the national bodies concerned are "useless" unless they could act without fear of reprisal.
"Without political will, no mechanisms will work," she added.
During a panel discussion, Huma Khan, OHCHR Head of Mission (a.i.), warned that without an independent, effective and accountable NPM, torture prevention would remain symbolic.
The discussion was moderated by Md Mostafa Hosain. Alberto Giovanetti of the Swiss Embassy served as master of ceremonies. The event also featured a video address from Victor Zaharia of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture.
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