Dhaka:JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed strong condemnation over the reported remarks made by Bangladesh's Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir, suggesting that 'crossfire' could be used with government approval.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the IGP reportedly made these comments on October 26 during the launch of the 'Community Islamic' banking service of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC in Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka.
JMBF, an independent human rights organization registered in France, has called for the IGP to clarify his statement, retract any support for extrajudicial actions, and publicly commit to constitutional adherence. Advocate Shahanur Islam, founder president of JMBF, emphasized that such remarks heighten concerns among families with members in police custody and insisted that police officers must not act outside the legal framework.
The organization has demanded an independent investigation into the IGP's remarks and accountability for any unlawful killings ordered or carried out, regardless of the individuals' rank or political connections. JMBF highlighted the constitutional protections under Articles 31 and 32 of Bangladesh's Constitution and stressed that executive orders cannot override these rights.
JMBF further urged the authorities to maintain the integrity of any recordings of the IGP's remarks, to scrutinize the full context, and to investigate any subsequent actions or instructions. The organization reinforced the need for lawful investigations and judicial proceedings for criminal allegations, referencing international human rights standards outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Lastly, JMBF called on the Bangladesh government to reject extrajudicial killings, ensure a transparent investigation, and uphold the nation's human rights commitments, asserting that public trust relies on the lawful exercise of police power.