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The government took limited measures to investigate and prosecute cases of abuse and killing by security forces, said the United States in its annual report on global human rights.
The ‘Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017’ was released on Friday by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour of the US government.
“Following alleged disappearances, security forces released some individuals without charge, arrested some, some were found dead, and others were never found,” says the report.
“In April, Swedish Radio reported a secretly recorded interview with a senior RAB officer admitting that his unit routinely picked up individuals, killed them, and disposed of the bodies.”
‘The constitution provides for the rights to life and personal liberty. There were numerous reports, however, that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings,’ the report said.
Public distrust of police and security services deterred many from approaching government forces for assistance or to report criminal incidents.
The report also highlighted extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary or unlawful detentions, restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of speech, press ; a lack of freedom to participate in the political process; and corruption.
About ‘Prison and Detention Centre Conditions’ the report said prison conditions remained harsh and at times life threatening due to overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and a lack of proper sanitation.
Discussing the state of freedom of expression and press in the country, the report said that though the constitution provides for freedom of speech, including for the press, the government sometimes failed to respect this right.
There were significant limitations on freedom of speech.
Some journalists self-censored their criticisms of the government due to harassment and fear of reprisal.
“The government maintained editorial control over the Bangladesh public television station (BTV) and mandated that private channels broadcast government content at no charge,” said the report.
About the ICT act, the report said Section 57 of the ICTA criminalises the posting online of inflammatory or derogatory information against the state or individuals.
The government allegedly used the ACC as a “political tool”, including having the ACC initiate or threaten inquiries into some businesspeople, newspaper owners, and civil society members for criticising the government, according to the US report.
On August 17, the Supreme Court rebuked the ACC for maintaining a “pick and choose” policy with regard to pursuing corruption allegations against politically connected individuals” said the report.