RAB era ends, SRB begins

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has formally ceased to exist under its old name, with the newly formed Special Response Battalion (SRB) beginning operations under the police on Wednesday, marking a major restructuring of the specialised law-enforcement unit long criticised over alleged human rights violations.

Force chief Ahsan Habib Palash confirmed the development, saying a gazette notification had been issued establishing the Special Response Battalion (SRB). He said RAB’s name had been changed and all activities had started under the new name from Wednesday.

The transition was also reflected in the force’s communications. An invitation card for the new unit’s press conference carried the logo “SRB Bangladesh” instead of RAB, although the design of the logo itself remained unchanged. The new name is also being used in press releases issued by the unit’s various branches.

The change follows a legislative decision to dissolve RAB and establish a new specialised unit under the police. On 10 September, Parliament passed a bill to dissolve RAB and form the Special Response Battalion.

The new structure received legal effect on Tuesday, 15 September, through the issuance of a related notification, and the unit began functioning under its new name the following day.

The restructuring comes amid longstanding calls for the dissolution or overhaul of RAB following the July mass uprising. A police administration reform committee formed by the BNP government had earlier recommended the dissolution of RAB on 10 December 2024.

In accordance with the latest decision, the government has reorganised the force’s structure and scope of operations under a new identity. The previous structure operating as RAB has therefore been brought to an end, while the SRB will operate as a specialised police unit.

RAB was established on 26 March 2004 under the then BNP-Jamaat alliance government. The force subsequently played a prominent role in operations aimed at maintaining law and order and combating serious crime.

However, RAB later faced widespread criticism and allegations of serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other violations.

The allegations became a major issue in national and international discussions over accountability and law-enforcement practices.

Citing allegations of serious human rights violations, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its current and former officials on 10 December 2021.

The transition from RAB to SRB thus represents not only a change of name but also a formal restructuring of a specialised force whose previous record had been the subject of sustained human rights concerns.