LATEST
Bangladesh defeated Pakistan 21 years ago, played in final, can they repeat it? Rice, vegetables prices up, consumers in limbo Speaker proposes direct polls for women in 100 JS seats We need a Humayun in the age of internet Rahul accuses Modi of ‘tapping his phone’ I’m getting death threats: Mitu Govt offers food relief to RMG workers Wage Board delay risks RMG stability Millions remain undiagnosed No return, only extradition
Skip to content

Sunday | November 15, 2026 | Dhaka

ASK calls for anti-torture law

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:05 AM, 15 November 2026  Updated: 11:58 PM, 14 November 2026

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has called for effective enforcement of the Torture and Death in Custody (Prevention) Act, 2013, urging impartial investigations, witness protection and faster trials to ensure justice for victims.

The call came at a roundtable discussion on Public Interest Litigation (PIL) organised by ASK at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka on November 13, according to a press statement.

Speaking as chief guest, ASK Chairperson and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Z I Khan Panna said enacting a law was not enough without its effective implementation.

Survivors of torture and their families often face insecurity, difficulties in collecting evidence, obstacles in obtaining forensic reports and delays in investigations, he said.

He called for credible investigations into human rights violations, protection for survivors, their families and witnesses, and proper collection and preservation of scientific evidence.

He also stressed the need to reduce delays in judicial proceedings and ensure proper monitoring of court directives and compensation.

Moderating the discussion, ASK Executive Director Tahmina Rahman said that although the Constitution and existing laws guarantee fundamental rights, fear, financial constraints, social status and pressure from influential quarters often prevent victims, particularly marginalised people, from seeking justice.

Public interest litigation provides a platform to bring the concerns of marginalised communities before the state and ensure judicial accountability of state institutions, she added.

ASK Secretary General Barrister Nazia Kabir, who attended as a special guest, said protecting human rights was a collective responsibility. She urged lawyers, rights defenders, academics, media professionals and young people to play an active role in upholding them.

Nur Khan Liton called for an explicit provision in the law prohibiting torture in custody. He also pointed to delays in post-mortems, destruction of evidence and inaccuracies in inquest reports.

Zahid Iqbal criticised the Torture and Death in Custody Act, saying it was poorly drafted, contained several loopholes and fell short of international standards.

Rafiq Ahmed of ALRD, Nighat Seema of BNWLA and senior Supreme Court advocates also shared their views at the discussion.