This Stream exclusive brings you all the details of the proposed independent police commission, what it will do, how it will function and more
The National Consensus Commission has proposed forming a nine-member independent police commission to ensure the accountability and professionalism of law enforcers. Citizens will be able to file complaints against the police with this commission, according to the proposal document obtained by Stream.
It will then decide what actions to take based on investigation.
Zoom out: Since the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her AL regime, calls had come in to reform the police. The force was used by the AL government to crackdown on protesters.
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The United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in February found that as many as 1,400 people may have been killed between 1 July and 15 August, most of whom were shot by police and security forces.
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The OHCHR also reported that more than 11,700 people were arrested or detained during the revolution period (1 July–15 August).
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By September last year, a total of 94 police officers were named as defendants in 302 cases filed between August 13 and August 28 following allegations of police brutality and misconduct.
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Cries for justice over the excessive police brutality have grown louder over time.
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In Bangladesh, allegations against the police are typically investigated through internal disciplinary mechanisms, but the system is widely criticized for lack of transparency, accountability, and independence.
The 3 core objectives of the commission are:
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Ensuring that the police are able to perform their duties legally
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Resolving complaints raised by any member of the police
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Resolving complaints raised by citizens against any member of the police
Who will be in the commission:
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The chairman of the police commission will be a retired judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
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The member secretary will be a retired police officer, whose rank is not below the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police.
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The other members will be leader of Parliament, opposition leader, and deputy representatives nominated by the speaker and deputy speaker.
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Additionally, there will be a retired government official not below the rank of secretary, a retired judicial officer not below the rank of district judge, and a human rights activist.
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At least two of the nine members will be women.
How will commission members be selected?
A selection committee, consisting of the home minister, the chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and a judge from the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, will decide who the members of the independent commission will be.
Role of commission: The proposal outlines the responsibilities and scope of the police commission.
These include:
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Determining the level of punishment based on the seriousness of a police officer's offence
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Directing the relevant authorities to implement punishment
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Protecting the police from illegal influence or interference
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Taking action based on investigations of complaints filed by citizens against police officers
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If any police officer is forced to perform an illegal or unlawful act, the commission will investigate the complaint and make a decision
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They will also work to update laws and regulations related to the police system
How commission will conduct investigations
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For investigating complaints, the commission can conduct judicial inquiries with the help of government agencies like the CID or PBI
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Relevant authorities will be required to follow the commission's instructions and decisions
Meanwhile, according to the proposal, the government will establish the police commission through legislation in the National Parliament.
The commission will operate based on the law, which will clearly define its scope of work.
All political parties have agreed to the formation of the independent commission.
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