Staff Correspondent

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the interim government is determined to end the culture of abuse.

"Indeed, the three elements of the interim government's mandate - trying the abusers under the previous regime, reforms, and elections - all aim to transform Bangladesh into a country in which all its citizens can live in security and dignity," he said.

The chief adviser made the remarks in a message marking the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which will be observed on Thursday.

"Today, we stand in solidarity with all victims of torture, past and present. We recognise their suffering, we commit to justice, and we vow: never again," Prof Yunus said.

"Let this day mark a turning point—for Bangladesh, and for all nations striving to reclaim the moral centre of governance," he added.

On this solemn occasion, the government of Bangladesh joins the international community in observing the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

"Torture is a grave violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of a human being. It has no place in a just society, and it must never be tolerated under any circumstances," Prof Yunus said.

Today, he said, they honour the courage and resilience of the thousands of survivors in Bangladesh who bear the scars of grievous torture and dehumanising cruelty, and the many other survivors around the world.

"Torture and ill-treatment were used as tools of repression, often targeting political opponents, dissenting voices, and the vulnerable during the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2024," Prof Yunus said.

The misuse of legal instruments to harass, detain, and break individuals during this dark period corroded the rule of law and distorted our politics and poisoned parts of our society, he said.

"Since taking office, we have taken concrete steps to confront this legacy and build a rights-respecting state grounded in accountability and justice," Prof Yunus said.

One of the first international treaties the interim government signed was the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPED), signifying the commitment to preventing and addressing enforced disappearances, which involve the abduction or detention of individuals by state agents or affiliated groups without acknowledgement.

"The signing marks a crucial first step toward enacting domestic legislation—a process already underway—and ensuring justice. It reinforces our legal commitment to eradicate torture in all its forms," Prof Yunus said.

The interim government has also established the Commission of Inquiry of Enforced Disappearances to investigate credible allegations of torture, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary detention, particularly during past periods of political unrest.

This independent body is mandated to ensure full transparency, identify responsible individuals, and recommend avenues for redress, Prof Yunus said.

"Deep reforms in the police and judicial administrations have been underway, and training programmes for law enforcement, prison authorities, and judicial officials have begun, focused on human rights standards, ethical conduct, and non-coercive investigative practices," he said.

Judicial oversight of detention procedures has been strengthened, with mandatory reporting and documentation of all custodial interrogations and detentions, Prof Yunus said.

"These are only initial steps, but they mark a decisive break from the past. Our aim is not only to prevent future violations but to restore public trust in the institutions," said the Chief Adviser in his message.