Commission recommends giving authority to NHRC to investigate allegations against law enforcers

The Police Reform Commission has recommended granting the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) direct authority to investigate allegations of human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. 

According to the Commission's recommendations, if an allegation of human rights violations arises from any law enforcement agency or through their actions or provocation, the head of the respective agency should be empowered to initiate an investigation.

To facilitate this, the recommendation suggests establishment of a dedicated Human Rights Cell within the head offices of law enforcement agencies.

The commission, led by former Home Secretary Safar Raj, submitted the 355-page report to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Advisor's office. The report was also published on the Commission's website.

The Commission's report highlights that an efficient, public-friendly, and modern police force is a vital component of any society. 

The report said, "Following the tragic events during the July-August mass uprising in 2024, which resulted in numerous casualties among students, the public, and police officers, public trust in the police force has been shaken. This situation is of great concern."

In response, the Police Reform Commission has submitted its report aimed at making the police force more modern, efficient, and people-centric, it added. 

Among the key recommendations made by the Commission are measures to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court's directives on arrests, searches, and interrogations.

Additionally, it calls for an end to the practice of filing cases against unidentified suspects and for the media to refrain from labeling individuals as criminals until they are proven guilty through the legal process.

The report also suggests a review of the past activities of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its human rights violations, proposing a re-evaluation of the unit's necessity within the police structure to ensure greater accountability and a more citizen-friendly police service.

Finally, the Commission recommends that police officers responsible for the deaths and injuries of students and the public during the 2024 uprising be identified and held accountable through the appropriate legal processes.