Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)

How Bangladesh has been building a digital police state

The country now possesses the infrastructural capacity to watch more people, more closely, and for more arbitrary reasons.

Law being drafted to ensure Rab accountability

A draft of the Rab Law-2024 is being prepared to ensure accountability within the force, AKM Shahidur Rahman, director general of the Rapid Action Battalion told a meeting yesterday.

New uniform won’t fix a broken force

New uniform won’t fix a broken force

A welcome admission from Rab DG

The Rab chief's apology for crimes committed must be followed by meaningful reforms.

Rab must be rebuilt from the ground up

But without political reforms, any change risks being superficial

Rab wants to shed its dark past

Since its formation nearly two decades ago to curb organised crime and terrorism, the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has been dogged by serious allegations of human rights violations. Rights activists and critics accused it of morphing into a “government death squad” that operated with impunity.

Ensure accountability of errant Rab officers

False case victims and evidence manipulation underscore the need for accountability within our law enforcement agencies.

Jailing rights defenders sends the wrong message

Instead, investigate and stop human rights violators

Was the US visa policy against undemocratic actors necessary?

The message between the lines is that the US is keeping a very close eye on Bangladesh at the moment.

November 8, 2024
November 8, 2024

Ensure accountability of errant Rab officers

False case victims and evidence manipulation underscore the need for accountability within our law enforcement agencies.

September 16, 2023
September 16, 2023

Jailing rights defenders sends the wrong message

Instead, investigate and stop human rights violators

May 30, 2023
May 30, 2023

Was the US visa policy against undemocratic actors necessary?

The message between the lines is that the US is keeping a very close eye on Bangladesh at the moment.

April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023

147 illegal handsets worth Tk 15 lakh seized

BTRC, RAB conducted a drive at Siddhirganj’s Kassaf Shopping Centre

April 4, 2023
April 4, 2023

An attempt to impede free journalism

Even if the state has an objection against a citizen’s activity, can they legally pick up that person?

March 28, 2023
March 28, 2023

What really happened to Sultana in Rab custody?

Rab’s modus operandi again comes into question as calls for independent investigation grow

March 20, 2023
March 20, 2023

Rab must answer for latest killing

The way it conducted its operation in a Narayanganj village is concerning

February 2, 2023
February 2, 2023

Video released by Rab: Families trace missing ones

Abu Jafar’s family was sure that he had been living in the Maldives for the last three years. He last visited Bangladesh in 2019 and left home saying he was going to the Maldives.

January 24, 2023
January 24, 2023

A ‘tonic’ for our security forces?

It is unfortunate that security agencies have been used in a manner that has generated more fear in people’s mind than confidence and faith in them.

January 16, 2023
January 16, 2023

Cutting Extrajudicial Killings: US satisfied with Rab’s progress

Visiting US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu yesterday expressed satisfaction that Rab reduced extrajudicial killings since late 2021, when the US imposed sanctions on the force.