Law event
Stop torture
June the 26th is declared as the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. In light of this, Odhikar, as part of its UN-OPCAT activities, took up a three-day programme from 25 to 27th June 2009. On the 25th and 26th June, memorandums were handed over to the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, rallies and meetings were organised at the district level in the Odhikar's programme areas of Satkhira, Jessore, Kushtia, Sirajganj, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Tangail, Munshiganj and Sylhet. On 27th June as the grand finale Odhikar organised an unprecedented event 'Tribunal against Torture' in order to increase public and media awareness about the rapidly degrading situation in Bangladesh with regard to torture. The tribunal was followed by a discussion meeting, attended by among others, current and former Members of Parliament, journalists, lawyers, academics, politicians from the governing party and the Opposition, etc.
The Tribunal against Torture was the first of its kind ever to be held in Bangladesh. Five courageous victims of torture and the wife of a deceased victim, made their statements to a packed auditorium of approximately 120 persons. Two 'experts', supported them on law points and discussed the various provisions of the law under which the victims could seek justice and the perpetrators be punished.
The Jury of the Tribunal against torture opined that any form of torture is a blatant violation of human rights as torture degrades human dignity in the end. Torture cannot be accepted in any civilised society. Torture also obviously violates the Constitution of Bangladesh -- the supreme law of the country and is contrary to the values behind our war of liberation. It is to be remembered that the establishment of human dignity was one of the goals of our war of liberation. This is why there should not be any scope for torture in the executive or judicial mechanism of Bangladesh. Some of the victims of torture have given the testimonies to torture on them before the tribunal. Those who were responsible for the incidents of torture must be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment. The sooner the State can try the perpetrators, the better.
The Tribunal was highly appreciated by all present, who were both shocked and moved by the testimonials. The victims thanked Odhikar for allowing them to unburden themselves and said they felt lighter by talking about their ordeal. The Tribunal helped in raising awareness that the Government must do something to criminalise torture and punish the perpetrators.
Compiled by Law Desk.
