Professionalism among law enforcers
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Gopal Sengupta
While talking about the human rights abuses in Bangladesh, it is important to mention the crimes perpetrated by the state in the name of national security. It is often seen, that in any war-like situation, human rights take the backseat. Law and order triumphs over everything else then. While some prisoners of conscience who get attention in the media, there are scores of others we never hear about. Many of the current policies and practices authorised by the present government require careful review from a human rights' perspective. In many parts of the country, economic issues were complicated by a rising tide of violence. While many of these conflicts seem, on the surface, to have ideological or religious dimensions, their underlying cause is more often social and economic. For example, the deprivation of basic rights for large sections of the population and the gross disparity between the rich and the poor over a prolonged period of time; lead to the disadvantaged becoming disillusioned with the democratic process. Nevertheless, such conflicts are often viewed as problems of law and order. Consequently, all dissent with the government, even that related to free speech, association and ideology, is viewed as sedition. Such a world-view automatically recommends incarceration as the solution to deal with such situations. The police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), who should enforce the letter and spirit of the law equally for all citizens, are more often seen as derelict in their duties, not upholding the law and directly violating human rights by discrimination, harassment or the use of excessive force. The lack of professionalism amongst members of its cadre and political control of the police force make them less than independent in protecting law-abiding citizens. Bangladesh's failure to ratify the U.N. Convention Against Torture even a decade after signing the treaty and to enact laws to prevent such forms of interrogation and treatment has worsened the situation. The absence of functional independence for the police and the elite forces, the external interference in police and RAB work, the absence of an independent appointment and monitoring committee and the lack of legislation regarding police reform add to these problems. The charge of sedition, when brought up by the government and the police acting in unison, often results in a paralysis within the already slow judicial system. E-mail: gopalsengupta@aol.com
While talking about the human rights abuses in Bangladesh, it is important to mention the crimes perpetrated by the state in the name of national security. It is often seen, that in any war-like situation, human rights take the backseat. Law and order triumphs over everything else then. While some prisoners of conscience who get attention in the media, there are scores of others we never hear about. Many of the current policies and practices authorised by the present government require careful review from a human rights' perspective. In many parts of the country, economic issues were complicated by a rising tide of violence. While many of these conflicts seem, on the surface, to have ideological or religious dimensions, their underlying cause is more often social and economic. For example, the deprivation of basic rights for large sections of the population and the gross disparity between the rich and the poor over a prolonged period of time; lead to the disadvantaged becoming disillusioned with the democratic process. Nevertheless, such conflicts are often viewed as problems of law and order. Consequently, all dissent with the government, even that related to free speech, association and ideology, is viewed as sedition. Such a world-view automatically recommends incarceration as the solution to deal with such situations. The police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), who should enforce the letter and spirit of the law equally for all citizens, are more often seen as derelict in their duties, not upholding the law and directly violating human rights by discrimination, harassment or the use of excessive force. The lack of professionalism amongst members of its cadre and political control of the police force make them less than independent in protecting law-abiding citizens. Bangladesh's failure to ratify the U.N. Convention Against Torture even a decade after signing the treaty and to enact laws to prevent such forms of interrogation and treatment has worsened the situation. The absence of functional independence for the police and the elite forces, the external interference in police and RAB work, the absence of an independent appointment and monitoring committee and the lack of legislation regarding police reform add to these problems. The charge of sedition, when brought up by the government and the police acting in unison, often results in a paralysis within the already slow judicial system. E-mail: gopalsengupta@aol.com