Dhaka: The Police Reform Commission (PRC) has recommended the enactment of a law to protect victims and witnesses, asserting that such legislation would empower the police to safeguard these individuals from criminals within a legal framework. “Enacting a law for victim and witness protection would be an important step in ensuring public-friendly policing. The police would be able to play an active role in protecting victims and witnesses and gain the trust of the public,” stated the PRC in its recently released final report.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commission emphasized that this law would clarify and enhance the responsibilities of the police force, fostering a positive relationship between the public and law enforcement. The report highlighted the current absence of an effective legal framework to shield victims and witnesses from criminal intimidation or influence.
The proposed law aims to provide legal protection and privacy rights to victims and witnesses, facilitating the prosecution of criminals and playing an effective role in crime reduction. The PRC underscored that establishing such a law would contribute to a model of public-friendly policing and a just society.
Additionally, the commission has called for a re-evaluation of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in the context of developing a people-friendly policing system. Over the past 15 years, a significant number of human rights violation allegations against law enforcement agencies have involved RAB. The battalion has faced severe criticism from domestic human rights organizations for accusations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, torture, and illegal arrests.
The PRC noted that RAB’s activities have been the subject of international debate and, in some instances, bans. “In this context, it is very important to re-evaluate the need for RAB in 2025,” the report stated. The commission stressed the importance of assessing RAB’s necessity by reviewing its past activities and human rights allegations to ensure police accountability and foster a people-friendly police system.