Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government is considering renaming the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and that work is underway to frame a new law under which the force will operate.
The new law will ensure accountability and transparency, he added.
He made the remarks on Monday afternoon at RAB headquarters in Kurmitola, Dhaka, during the force’s 22nd founding anniversary celebrations.
The minister said, “We hope RAB will conduct all its activities fully upholding human rights in the future. We have taken the initiative to enact a new law under which an elite force will exist. Whether we rename RAB or raise another new elite force is still under consideration. The government is reviewing it. But accountability and transparency will be ensured in the case of the elite force.”
He added, “There will be authority, there will be responsibility. At the same time, transparency and accountability of the force will be ensured under the same law. In this way, we will establish the rule of law and public security according to people’s expectations.”
Salahuddin further said RAB as an institution had been harmed by the actions of some officers. “During fascist rule, no state institution was spared — police, army, RAB, BGB — all were harmed as institutions. But we must remember, the responsibility for the actions of a few officers cannot be borne by the entire institution.”
He added, “We have already instructed that officers be held accountable under their respective institutional laws. Institutions are not responsible; laws exist to govern how institutions operate and how officers act under those laws.”
He stressed that if some officers go astray, they are personally responsible, not the institution.
Referring to US sanctions, he said, “At the time America imposed sanctions on RAB, the force was involved in certain activities — it was used as a political tool. During the fascist rule, Sheikh Hasina used institutions to fulfill her desire for one‑party rule and one‑party statehood.”
In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on seven RAB officials over human rights violations.
Responding to a question, the minister said, “The sanctions imposed by America on RAB are still in place. But if we rename or raise a new elite force, perhaps they will reconsider. That is expected. Many things remain ahead.”
He added, “A committee has been formed to frame the law. I will personally look after it. It has not yet come before me; I have given some time. Experts are working on it.”
Noting that RAB currently operates under the Armed Police Battalion Act, he said, “It was not right for an institution to operate on an ad‑hoc basis. Now we will enact a law for a separate elite force. Authority will be given, responsibilities fixed, and accountability, transparency ensured. That is how the law will come. It is not yet time to give details.”
Asked whether RAB will remain or be dissolved, Salahuddin said, “People have new expectations. Public security must be ensured according to popular demand. For that, an elite force will certainly be needed. Their equipment, logistics, training, facilities, assets — everything will go there.”
