Law Minister claims extrajudicial killings have ceased as government prepares anti-disappearance legislation
Law Minister Asif Nazrul has asserted that extrajudicial killings have effectively ceased since the current interim administration assumed office. Addressing a consultation meeting on human rights and justice in Dhaka on Saturday, the minister stated that such incidents have dropped to near-zero levels in recent months, marking a significant shift in the country’s security landscape.
The event, organized by the human rights organization Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium, brought together legal experts, rights activists, and officials to discuss systemic reforms. During the proceedings, Nazrul announced that the government is in the final stages of drafting two crucial pieces of legislation: the National Human Rights Commission Act and a law dedicated to the prevention and remedy of enforced disappearances. Both bills have undergone three rounds of consultations and are currently being reviewed by a cabinet committee, with plans to present them for formal cabinet approval and subsequent parliamentary passage in the near future.
Addressing concerns regarding the judiciary, the Law Minister underscored the structural challenges facing the legal system. He noted that the ministry currently lacks the authority to transfer or discipline assistant judges directly, a power largely held by the Supreme Court. Nazrul expressed frustration over the resistance encountered when attempting to rectify questionable judicial appointments made during the previous administration, noting that 70 percent of proposed corrections were denied by the Supreme Court. He emphasized that the independence of the judiciary depends as much on the integrity of the judges as it does on institutional checks.
The consultation also featured perspectives from legal experts on historical injustices. Former Supreme Court Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury described enforced disappearance as a phenomenon more devastating than death, citing a systematic, three-tiered methodology employed by intelligence and law enforcement agencies over the past 15 years. He urged the government to establish an ombudsman as mandated by the constitution and emphasized that institutional reform is essential to prevent the recurrence of such abuses.
International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam provided an update on the progress of human rights cases, specifically regarding the 2013 crackdown at Shapla Chattar. Confirming that a formal investigation report has been submitted, he noted that the tribunal is prepared to move forward with the trial process beginning next week.
The event also served as a forum for broader political discourse. Editor of the daily Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, urged the government to remain vigilant against authoritarian tendencies, emphasizing the necessity of holding past offenders accountable and maintaining a commitment to democratic governance. He reminded the current administration that maintaining a clear focus on the grievances of the past 17 years is vital to ensuring that the country does not repeat the systemic failures of previous regimes.
