In its editorial on 14 December, The Daily Star calls for the notorious Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to become a “pro-people force” by carrying out reforms to its legal and operational framework. In sharp contrast, Human Rights Watch has called for RAB to be disbanded. Human rights activists have long considered RAB to be incapable of reforming itself. RAB has been condemned as a death squad. Bangladeshi courts have also confirmed the human rights abuses of RAB, which further strengthened calls for disbanding RAB. The force is responsible for over 1,200 extrajudicial killings since 2004, as well as custodial torture and enforced disappearances. RAB was one of the key forces involved in killing Bangladeshis during the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also reiterated its position to disband RAB. Ironically, RAB was set up by the BNP in 2004. But the BNP appears to have realized that RAB was a Frankenstein created by the Khaleda Zia government in 2004. Khaleda Zia herself now wants RAB disbanded. RAB has now admitted to operating secret prisons and torture cells. This is a widely known fact. Sherlock Holmes has heard testimony from senior politicians who were asked to visit RAB-1 headquarters. They were kept in a room where the sound of people being tortured was heard. Sherlock Holmes himself has visited the office of the RAB Director-General.
RAB is a disgrace. Bangladeshi political parties, while in opposition, often demand the disbanding of RAB. Is the BNP genuinely committed to disbanding RAB? The Awami League also called for RAB to be disbanded while being in opposition, but reneged on its promise during its government between 2009 and 2024. Is the BNP serious about its pledge given that it was the BNP which created RAB?
Moreover, why is Bangladesh’s largest English newspaper failing to call for disbanding RAB? Does The Daily Star believe RAB is somehow an indispensable force? The only parallel to RAB can be the notorious Rakkhi Bahini which operated in the early 1970s. Between 1975 and 2004, there was no specialized paramilitary force like RAB. Contrary to The Daily Star editorial, RAB is not a police force. It is a paramilitary organization with officers deputed from the military to perform functions under the home ministry. In 2022, a young lawyer called for disbanding RAB after US sanctions were imposed on Bangladesh for the first time in the country’s history. The next day, The Daily Star insinuated against the suggestion by publishing a piece on corporal punishment. Is it morally permissible for The Daily Star to insinuate against RAB’s opponents? It turns out that the young lawyer was right after all. Disbanding RAB is a call echoed by all those who believe in justice, human dignity and morality.
When Bangladeshi politicians want RAB disbanded, why are sections of media and civil society coming to RAB’s defense? When Human Rights Watch has called for RAB to be disbanded, why is The Daily Star merely calling for reform? Is it not seeing the repercussions of systemic torture now being revealed in post-Assad Syria? RAB can potentially be referred to the International Criminal Court.
RAB’s torture cells should be turned into museums. RAB belongs in the dustbin of history. Sooner or later, Bangladesh will have to consider disbanding RAB.