Sunday, 23 February, 2025
A report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has found that Bangladesh’s prolonged single-party rule systematically politicized state institutions, particularly the security sector. The report highlights that recruitment and promotions within law enforcement and intelligence agencies were often based on political loyalty rather than professionalism.
"Fifteen years of rule by a single political party coincided with a steadily increasing politicization of state institutions that has permeated the entire security sector," the OHCHR fact-finding report stated. It alleged that many police officers were recruited and promoted based on their perceived allegiance to the Awami League rather than merit, integrity, or professional competence.
The report, released last week from Geneva, focuses on human rights violations during the July-August 2024 uprising in Bangladesh. A dedicated chapter, titled “Politicization of the Security Sector,” outlines how senior officials confirmed that agencies such as the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), and the police’s Special Branch vetted candidates for mid-level and higher positions based on their political affiliations and family backgrounds.
According to the OHCHR, appointments to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General or higher required direct approval from the then-prime minister, who reportedly placed Awami League loyalists in key positions, including the Detective Branch of metropolitan police forces.
While political influence over law enforcement has long been an issue, the report notes that the absence of an independent body to oversee police appointments and promotions exacerbated the problem. Despite the Bangladesh Army's history of political involvement through past coups, it is “widely regarded as less politicized” than other security forces. However, insiders told OHCHR that party politics had increasingly permeated the military, particularly at senior levels. Officers perceived as politically aligned were promoted to key positions in Dhaka and Army Headquarters, while those considered disloyal faced career stagnation, remote postings, or pressure to resign.
The report further alleges that the politicization of security agencies enabled their misuse by the ruling party. “In exchange for suppressing opposition and ignoring crimes committed by ruling party members, security personnel operated with near-total impunity for their own misconduct, including serious human rights violations,” it stated.
Between 2009 and 2024, civil society groups documented 2,597 alleged extrajudicial killings and 708 enforced disappearances. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) alone was reportedly implicated in over 800 extrajudicial killings and 220 enforced disappearances, yet convictions remain rare. The OHCHR noted that RAB officers were convicted in only one case—where the victim was an influential Awami League official.
The report also claims that DGFI officials were allegedly involved in over 170 enforced disappearances, with none facing prosecution. Additionally, the UN Committee Against Torture has expressed concern over “widespread and routine torture” by law enforcement officials to extract confessions or bribes.
Despite Bangladesh passing the Torture and Custodial Death (Prohibition) Act in 2013, at least 103 detainees have reportedly died from torture in custody. The government has recorded only 24 cases filed under the Act, and convictions have been secured in just one instance, where police officers were found guilty of torture leading to death. “These patterns of impunity have become institutionalized and anchored in law,” the OHCHR concluded.
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A report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has found that Bangladesh’s prolonged single-party rule systematically politicized state institutions, particularly the security sector. The report highlights that recruitment and promotions within law enforcement and intelligence agencies were often based on political loyalty rather than professionalism.
"Fifteen years of rule by a single political party coincided with a steadily increasing politicization of state institutions that has permeated the entire security sector," the OHCHR fact-finding report stated. It alleged that many police officers were recruited and promoted based on their perceived allegiance to the Awami League rather than merit, integrity, or professional competence.
The report, released last week from Geneva, focuses on human rights violations during the July-August 2024 uprising in Bangladesh. A dedicated chapter, titled “Politicization of the Security Sector,” outlines how senior officials confirmed that agencies such as the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), and the police’s Special Branch vetted candidates for mid-level and higher positions based on their political affiliations and family backgrounds.
According to the OHCHR, appointments to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General or higher required direct approval from the then-prime minister, who reportedly placed Awami League loyalists in key positions, including the Detective Branch of metropolitan police forces.
While political influence over law enforcement has long been an issue, the report notes that the absence of an independent body to oversee police appointments and promotions exacerbated the problem. Despite the Bangladesh Army's history of political involvement through past coups, it is “widely regarded as less politicized” than other security forces. However, insiders told OHCHR that party politics had increasingly permeated the military, particularly at senior levels. Officers perceived as politically aligned were promoted to key positions in Dhaka and Army Headquarters, while those considered disloyal faced career stagnation, remote postings, or pressure to resign.
The report further alleges that the politicization of security agencies enabled their misuse by the ruling party. “In exchange for suppressing opposition and ignoring crimes committed by ruling party members, security personnel operated with near-total impunity for their own misconduct, including serious human rights violations,” it stated.
Between 2009 and 2024, civil society groups documented 2,597 alleged extrajudicial killings and 708 enforced disappearances. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) alone was reportedly implicated in over 800 extrajudicial killings and 220 enforced disappearances, yet convictions remain rare. The OHCHR noted that RAB officers were convicted in only one case—where the victim was an influential Awami League official.
The report also claims that DGFI officials were allegedly involved in over 170 enforced disappearances, with none facing prosecution. Additionally, the UN Committee Against Torture has expressed concern over “widespread and routine torture” by law enforcement officials to extract confessions or bribes.
Despite Bangladesh passing the Torture and Custodial Death (Prohibition) Act in 2013, at least 103 detainees have reportedly died from torture in custody. The government has recorded only 24 cases filed under the Act, and convictions have been secured in just one instance, where police officers were found guilty of torture leading to death. “These patterns of impunity have become institutionalized and anchored in law,” the OHCHR concluded.
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