HRW has highlighted the importance of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to seek international assistance for investigating cases of enforced disappearances.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the European Union (EU) to leverage its economic and political influence to advance human rights reforms in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for sanctions and trade pressure to combat impunity and secure necessary reforms.

In a statement, Claudio Francavilla, HRW’s associate director, outlined a multi-faceted strategy for the EU to support Bangladesh’s human rights transition. Francavilla urged the EU to take immediate action at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, advocating for an investigation into recent abuses and ensuring robust UN monitoring and reporting on the situation.

“The EU’s approach should be reformed to actively support Bangladesh’s progress,” Francavilla said. “The focus should be on ending impunity and demanding accountability through targeted measures.”

One of the key demands is for the EU to call for the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a notorious Bangladeshi security force implicated in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. The RAB was notably involved in the recent violent crackdown on protests. The EU is also urged to implement targeted sanctions against the RAB, which has been under US sanctions since 2021.

Additionally, HRW recommends that the EU condition its trade agreements with Bangladesh, particularly under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, on concrete human rights benchmarks. This includes the release of unjustly detained individuals, reform of the security sector, and broader institutional changes to enhance human rights protections.

Bangladesh is a major beneficiary of the EU’s EBA scheme, which provides tariff-free access to EU markets under the condition of adherence to human rights and good governance standards. However, recent developments have raised concerns about the Bangladeshi government’s commitment to these standards, particularly in light of the violent repression seen ahead of the controversial January elections and ongoing human rights abuses.

Enforced disappearances

Simultaneously, HRW has highlighted the importance of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to seek international assistance for investigating cases of enforced disappearances. The interim administration has established a five-member commission of inquiry, headed by a retired judge and including human rights experts, to address disappearances that occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule.

The interim government has also committed to signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, a significant policy shift from the previous administration’s stance. The commission is tasked with investigating these abuses and is expected to submit its report within 45 days.

Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at HRW, stressed the need for a thorough and internationally supported investigation. “This commission has a crucial opportunity to pursue justice for the victims of enforced disappearances and their families,” Ganguly said. “The government must ensure this process is transparent, robust, and inclusive.”

HRW emphasizes that the commission’s mandate should include the investigation of all cases, regardless of the outcome for the individuals involved. It should also identify clandestine detention centers and recommend necessary reforms. To ensure the investigation’s effectiveness, the commission must be adequately resourced and empowered to compel the attendance of state officials and law enforcement.

Furthermore, HRW recommends that the interim government collaborate closely with UN human rights experts and organizations representing victims, such as Maayer Daak (“Mothers’ Call”). The commission should explore all forms of reparations for victims, including restitution and compensation, and work towards institutional reforms to prevent future violations.

Disband RAB

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has also called for a comprehensive investigation into all human rights violations in Bangladesh and the release of all individuals subjected to enforced disappearances. Türk’s appeal underscores the need for an independent and transparent investigation, reflecting the broader international concern over Bangladesh’s human rights record.

Under Sheikh Hasina’s government, security forces consistently denied allegations of enforced disappearances, claiming that missing individuals had gone into hiding voluntarily. Families of victims faced harassment and threats, with some coerced into signing false statements. The absence of a witness protection law exacerbates the risks faced by those involved in investigations.

HRW advocates for the interim government to push forward with proposed witness protection legislation and seek financial support from donor governments to implement such measures. The commission should prioritize the safety of witnesses and take necessary precautions against intimidation and retaliation.

The interim administration is also urged to reform security sector oversight and disband the RAB, aligning with recommendations from HRW and international human rights bodies. This move is critical to dismantling entrenched patterns of abuse and fostering a rights-respecting future for Bangladesh.

Ganguly highlighted the significance of these steps in building a foundation for long-term human rights progress. “Pursuing accountability and providing answers to the victims and their families is an essential first step towards a future where human rights are genuinely respected,” she said.

As Bangladesh navigates this critical period of transition, the EU’s role in supporting human rights reforms through sanctions, trade conditions, and diplomatic pressure will be crucial in shaping the country’s path forward, HRW says.