Ending torture requires societal, institutional change beyond laws: Law minister
Custodial torture has also been drastically reduced since the post-August transition, he said.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today (25 April) said that eliminating the culture of torture in the country cannot be achieved through legislation alone, stressing the need for broader social and institutional transformation.
"We must move away from this social and psychological disease. Only then can our good laws and institutions function properly. Mere enactment of laws is not enough to eliminate the culture of torture. We must ensure implementation and, equally important, create social awareness so that people understand torture is inhuman, unjust, and unacceptable," the minister said while addressing the National Consultation on the Prevention of Torture and the Implementation of UNCAT and OPCAT as chief guest held at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital.
"Our Constitution itself provides strong protections. Article 35(5) clearly states that no person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment or treatment. This constitutional provision reflects the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international anti-torture conventions. It is a direct prohibition and places obligations upon the state and all law enforcement agencies," he added.
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Acknowledging that change will not happen overnight, the law minister said that in the last two months, and particularly over the last twenty months under the interim government, no reports of enforced disappearances were received.
"Custodial torture has also been drastically reduced since the post-August transition. These are significant developments in our legal culture, our jurisprudence and our national conscience," he said.
The minister strongly emphasized ensuring that protective laws are not misused.
"Let me state clearly: we do not want a culture of impunity. We do not want human rights violations in any form. We do not want custodial deaths. We do not want enforced disappearances. We do not want extrajudicial killings. We know the pain such violations cause," he stated.
The event was organized by rights body Odhikar and OMCT, a global coalition of non-governmental organizations working against torture, forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
It was also addressed by Michael Miller, Head of Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh; daily Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman; and former Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Justice Moyeenul Islam as special guests.
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Dr. Alice Jill Edwards presented the keynote paper at the event.
