On June 26th, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed globally to honor survivors and recommit to combating torture. This significant day commemorates the signing of the UN Charter in 1945 and the enactment of the Convention against Torture in 1987. For Bangladesh, this occasion coincides with preparations for marking two years since the July unrest.
A report by the OHCHR investigating the events of July-August 2024 in Bangladesh revealed instances of torture and degrading treatment during security responses, shedding light on lingering grievances. Victims are still awaiting accountability for these violations and the factors that triggered the unrest. Despite constitutional assurances against torture, the repercussions of past abuses persist. However, Bangladesh has initiated preventive measures to avert similar incidents.
In 2025, Bangladesh officially endorsed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), aligning with 96 other nations dedicated to the fundamental notion that torture can be prevented by allowing independent oversight of detention facilities. While ratification marked a milestone, it serves as a reminder on June 26 that commitments need to be translated into tangible actions. The country also initiated long-awaited reforms for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2025, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through consultations involving over 600 survivors, advocates, and stakeholders, citizen expectations of institutions were made clear: upholding dignity, ensuring protection, and decisively breaking away from past transgressions.
The proposed legislation positions the NHRC as Bangladesh’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), granting it authority to inspect detention centers, engage with authorities, and propose enhancements—a crucial step in transforming pledges into safeguards. Under OPCAT guidelines, Bangladesh must establish its NPM within a year of accession, with the deadline fast approaching. Fulfilling this obligation necessitates revising legal frameworks, executing plans effectively, and empowering the mechanism in practice. Credibility of institutions hinges on true independence, adequate resources, and adherence to the Paris Principles. Transparent appointments, merit-based leadership, adequate funding, and robust investigative capabilities are not mere technicalities but critical foundations that determine an institution’s efficacy.
Global experiences with NPMs demonstrate that preventive monitoring fosters a culture of safety without conflict. It fortifies protections against abuse, enhances professionalism, improves conditions for both personnel and detainees, and fosters public trust in institutions entrusted with safeguarding individuals. These functions align with the aspirations expressed by young Bangladeshis during recent discussions on torture prevention tools organized by UNDP and the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT).
Bangladesh stands poised with the necessary groundwork, momentum, and opportunity. Establishing an autonomous, well-equipped National Preventive Mechanism this year would pay homage to the victims remembered on this day and exemplify genuine prevention efforts to the region. On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Bangladesh has the opportunity to lead not only in rhetoric but in practical initiatives.