Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Monday that the government will restructure the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to become a people-friendly and responsible force. He made the announcement while addressing a programme at the RAB headquarters in Uttara, celebrating the force’s 22nd founding anniversary.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the government has undertaken reform initiatives to transform RAB into a professional, modern, responsible, and people-oriented institution. These reforms include enhancing the operational capability and professional skills of RAB members, providing specialised training on the minimum use of force aligned with international standards, human rights compliance, and utilizing artificial intelligence in crime prevention.
Salahuddin revealed that a specialized training center for RAB will be established at Jungle Salimpur in Chattogram to strengthen the force’s operational capacity. The government is adopting strategies to address evolving crime patterns, strengthen public engagement, and uphold human rights, the rule of law, and professional ethics to build a safe and stable society.
The Home Minister stated that to ensure transparency and accountability, a specific and comprehensive law for RAB will be formulated. He emphasized that institutions should not be blamed for the unlawful activities of a few officials and highlighted the government’s commitment to non-interference in RAB’s operations. Salahuddin aims to demonstrate global accountability and commitment to the rule of law within all institutions.
He mentioned the possibility of changing RAB’s current name and clarified that RAB is a combined elite force comprising members from Bangladesh Police, the Armed Forces Division, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and civil staff. Addressing the US sanctions on the force, he attributed the harm to RAB’s image to unlawful activities by a few officers during the previous regime and expressed hope for reconsideration of sanctions post-reform.
Salahuddin outlined the rationale for legal reforms, stating that RAB had operated under an ad hoc provision for 20 years. The Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a law formulation committee to create a new law defining RAB’s authority and responsibility while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Regarding investigations and trials over enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity during the previous government, Salahuddin said the government is working to amend the International Crimes Tribunal law. The reforms aim to ensure justice for victims and families through a specific legal process under the special tribunal.