Lawmakers and rights activists on Saturday urged the government to take immediate steps for the passage of the private member’s bill seeking enactment of a law against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
At a view-exchange meeting organised by rights organisation Odhikar, they also urged the government to give effect to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (United Nations Convention against Torture).
Lawmakers, both from the government and the opposition camps, who attended the meeting, made the urge unanimously.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal executive president Moinuddin Khan Badal presided over the programme and said the ‘young parliament members’ caucus against human rights violation’ should be activated.
‘If that caucus works actively, the situation will change,’ he said, adding that practice of democratic culture could improve people’s rights situation.
Odhikar president CR Abrar said the government should enact the law and give effect to the convention as it had promised at the United Nations Human Rights Commission to ensure zero tolerance to torture.
Awami League lawmaker Tanveer Shakil Joy said enactment of the law would help stop torture.
Enforcement of the law and implementation of the convention are equally important to stop torture and inhuman treatment, he said.
BNP lawmaker Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annee said politicians should stop personal attack on each other, as no law could ensure human rights if such practice persisted.
Awami League lawmaker Sanzida Khanam said torture and inhuman treatment by law enforcers was against the democratic spirit.
Ruling party lawmaker Fazilatunnesa Indira Bappy said mere enactment of law was not enough to stop torture and enforcement of law must be ensured.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawmaker Shammi Akhter shared her experience of how she had been tortured by police during a general strike.
Awami League lawmaker Talukdar Mohammad Yunus, Odhikar secretary Adilur Rahman Khan, director ASM Nasir Uddin Elan, programme coordinator Sazzad Hossain and programme officer Ahbadul Yousuf Khan also spoke at the programme.