Deputy Speaker urges justice, rehabilitation for torture victims.
Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal today said the time has come to ensure justice for victims of enforced disappearance, killings and torture, calling on the state to accord them and their families due dignity through the formation of a parliamentary special taskforce.
While presiding over the "National Dialogue on the Right to Compensation and Rehabilitation," organised by Mayer Dak on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2026, Kayser Kamal said ensuring justice, compensation, rehabilitation and psychological support for victims is an important responsibility of the state.
He said the government, judiciary, law enforcement agencies and civil society must work in a coordinated manner to stand beside victims of torture in building a humane and justice-based society.
The Deputy Speaker said the fundamental objective of the Constitution and the rule of law is to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
He said ensuring punishment for perpetrators alone is not sufficient when a person becomes a victim of torture; it is equally important to ensure the victim's physical, psychological, social and economic rehabilitation.
An effective support system for victims must be established in a welfare-oriented state.
He further said many victims and their families suffer long-term psychological trauma, social deprivation and economic hardship due to torture.
Therefore, compensation and rehabilitation should be regarded not only as legal remedies but also as essential components of protecting human rights, he said.
He stressed the need to expand legal aid, counseling, medical services and employment opportunities for victims.
The Deputy Speaker also said greater social awareness must be created to prevent violence against women, child abuse, human trafficking, custodial torture and other human rights violations.
A torture-free society can be established by fostering humanitarian values, tolerance and respect for the rule of law, he added.
Kayser Kamal said Bangladesh has adopted various laws and policies in line with international human rights standards to prevent torture and protect the rights of victims.
Effective implementation of these laws must be ensured to facilitate victims' access to justice, while rehabilitation programmes at both the state and non-government levels should be further expanded, he added.
Addressing the function as the chief guest, BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said everyone involved in enforced disappearances and killings should face public trial.
He also said budgetary allocations would continue to ensure the continuation of investigations into enforced disappearances.
The present government stands with the victims in the fight for justice over enforced disappearances and will continue to do so, he added.
He assured that necessary support and facilities would be provided to the victims and their family members.
At the dialogue, MPs Anisur Rahman, Mir Ahmad Bin Kashem, Aminul Islam, Abdullah Al Amin, Tahsina Rushdir and Sanzida Islam Tuli, victims of enforced disappearance and their family members, and the president of Mayer Dak strongly demanded the formulation of an effective compensation framework for torture victims, the creation of a rehabilitation fund, expansion of legal aid and ensuring a victim-friendly justice process.
Representatives of UNDP, human rights activists, lawyers, judges, academics, development workers, officials of the Parliament Secretariat, media representatives and leaders of various social organisations also attended the programme.
