UNDP, Home Ministry discuss reforms, security, Rohingya issues.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) delegation led by Resident Representative Stefan Liller held a courtesy meeting with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his official residence located in the Bailey Road area today.
During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of issues, including law and order, security, police reform, the formation of an independent police commission, the National Human Rights Commission ordinance, the prevention and remedy of enforced disappearances, and the Rohingya situation.
At the outset, Salahuddin Ahmed welcomed the UNDP delegation, while Stefan Liller congratulated him on assuming his new responsibilities.
Speaking on police reform, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We are working on reforming the police. However, it cannot be done overnight; we believe in gradual and phased improvements.”
He added that UNDP could extend necessary support in restructuring the police and enhancing its capacity and efficiency.
The UNDP Resident Representative assured continued support in police reform efforts, noting that the organization has played a significant role in the establishment and development of the National Human Rights Commission.
He mentioned that UNDP has worked closely with the commission over the past 15–17 years and provided assistance in drafting the ordinance, incorporating international best practices.
Regarding the Human Rights Commission Ordinance, the Home Minister said it is closely linked to the formation of an independent police commission.
He added that after necessary reviews, the ordinance would be presented in Parliament as a bill.
Responding to a query on the ordinance related to the prevention and remedy of enforced disappearances, the Home Minister said it would also be placed before Parliament following further scrutiny.
He noted that certain definitions in the draft might make it difficult to identify the actual perpetrators behind enforced disappearances and shared his own experience during a period of disappearance.
On granting investigative powers to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in Rohingya camps, the Home Minister clarified that only designated investigating officers are authorized to conduct investigations and that APBn is not an investigative agency.
However, he assured that security measures in the Rohingya camps would be further strengthened.
Among others present at the meeting were Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs Rebeka Khan, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne, Assistant Resident Representative Anowarul Haq, and Rule of Law, Justice and Security Advisor Romana Schweiger.
