Reformessential of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013 : Speakers Discussat

Press Release

ReformEssential of the “Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013”: Speakers Discussat a Sharing Meeting Organized by BLAST.

Reform of the ‘Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013’to make it comprehensive and ensuring its proper implementation is essential, said Justice Awlad Ali, BLAST Vice-chairperson and Member,Permanent Court of Arbitration. Justice Awlad Ali stated this while chairing a national-level sharing meeting organized by BLAST. He also emphasized that the dignity of every human being in custody must be upheld in all circumstances. The national level sharing meeting was held at BIAM foundation on 1 November 2015..

Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze,Member,Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission, Md.Mostafizur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Member, Board of Trustees, BLASTand Chairman, Legal Aid Committee, Bangladesh Bar Council, ,Nur Khan Liton, Director, Investigation and Documentation Unit, Ain O ShalishKendro, S M Rezaul Karim, Legal Advisor and Director, BLAST, representatives from the Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, police officers, journalists and representatives of human rights organizations were present at the meeting.

Speakers at the sharing meeting said that the ‘Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013’ is a timely and necessary initiativehowever; there are some practical limitations in the implementation of the Act.Law reform should focus on inclusion of a mandatory judicial inquiry committee for investigation of offences under the Act, provision for compensation to victims according to international standards and provision for ensuring safetyof victims and witness.

Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze, Member, Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission said that this law will serve as an accountability measure that will ensure that they carry out their duties according to law.

Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs said that the Rules to ensure implementation of the law should be put in place as soon as possible.

Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Member, Board of Trustees, BLASTand Chairman, Legal Aid Committee, Bangladesh Bar Council said custodial deaths are unacceptable.Further, offenders should be punished as per the law following proper judicial process.

Nur Khan Liton, Director, Investigation and Documentation Unit, Ain O ShalishKendrosaid it is time that order is brought to issues where disorder persists. It is essential to seek remedy under this law in cases of torture in police custody.

Advocate Tajul Islam made a presentation on the key features and limitations of the law. He also made recommendation for law reform to ensure its proper implementation.

The sharing meeting was moderated by Advocate Z I Khan Panna.

The meeting began by holding ‘one minute silence’ to condole the recent deaths of publisher FoisolArefinDipon, and police officials Md. Ibrahim and Mukul Hosen.

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Mahbuba Akhter

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