- HRW submits a report to Chief Adviser Yunus on Bangladesh’s human rights abuses.
- The report alleges Sheikh Hasina ordered enforced disappearances and killings.
- HRW urges the disbanding of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
- Chief Adviser Yunus commits to transparency and accountability in reforms.
- HRW calls for a secure zone for displaced Rohingyas in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has handed a report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, claiming that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directly ordered enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The report accuses Hasina’s government of widespread human rights violations during her tenure from 2009 to 2024.
Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Asia Director, led the delegation that met with Yunus. She commended the interim government for its reform efforts and the progress made in restoring human rights. “We commend the progress you have made so far,” she said.
HRW Calls for Action Against RAB
The HRW report clearly recommends disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). It points out that this elite force committed many enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and unlawful detentions. “There needs to be some accountability,” Pearson stressed, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
Chief Adviser Yunus recognized HRW’s efforts in exposing human rights violations under Hasina’s rule. He confirmed that although the RAB had publicly apologized, authorities must prosecute the officers responsible for extrajudicial killings. “They should face trials and be punished,” he firmly stated, emphasizing the need for justice.
Security Forces Accused of Political Bias
Pearson claimed that Bangladesh’s security forces were “politicized” during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, operating as ruling party enforcers. “It needs systematic reforms,” she added.
Yunus agreed, stressing that the interim government is committed to openness and transparency. “We are publishing all reform recommendations and allowing people to decide on the changes they want,” he said. “Undoing 15 years of oppression and crimes will be a challenging endeavor.”
According to the HRW report, several security officers confirmed that senior officials in Hasina’s government knew about illegal detentions. Some claimed that Hasina personally ordered certain enforced disappearances and killings.
HRW Calls for Stronger Oversight of Security Forces
During her visit, Pearson met with the heads of reform commissions and the Chief Adviser’s High Representative on Rohingya issues. HRW urged the government to strengthen human rights reforms and strictly oversee security forces.
The organization also raised concerns over the treatment of Rohingya refugees. It urged Bangladesh to engage in diplomatic efforts to create a safe zone for displaced Rohingyas in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Yunus confirmed that Bangladesh is working with international bodies, including the United Nations, to establish a secure area for the refugees. He hopes the UN and the Arakan Army, Myanmar’s main rebel group, will guarantee security in the region.
The Path to Reform
The HRW report highlights the urgent need for accountability in Bangladesh’s security forces. It underscores the role of Sheikh Hasina’s government in past human rights abuses. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has committed to transparency and justice.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Bangladesh can achieve genuine reforms. The international community will closely watch how the government handles past abuses and implements new policies to protect human rights.