Dhaka, Jan 28 (V7N) — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Bangladesh's interim government to cease arbitrary arrests and acts of reprisal violence, warning that continued violations could jeopardize the government's key reform initiatives.

In a detailed 50-page report addressing the human rights situation in Bangladesh following the July uprising, HRW criticised the resurgence of oppressive tactics by law enforcement agencies, which the organisation said could lead to a significant crisis for the country.

HRW highlighted the police's ongoing practice of filing criminal cases against unnamed individuals without adequate investigation, granting law enforcement unchecked authority to target and harass citizens arbitrarily.

The report also reiterated HRW's long-standing demand for the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), citing findings by the Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances. The organisation described the RAB as a key instrument of state oppression and urged its disbandment.

Additionally, HRW expressed concerns over the new ordinance introduced by the interim government to replace the controversial Cyber Security Act. The organisation stated that the updated law still contains several problematic provisions reminiscent of its predecessor, undermining freedom of expression and digital rights.

HRW emphasised that genuine reforms and the protection of human rights are essential for restoring trust and stability in Bangladesh. Failure to address these issues, the report warned, could have long-term consequences for the nation's governance and international standing.

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