Bangladesh's proposal to withdraw reservation on enforced disappearance clause accepted at UN

A proposal submitted by Bangladesh to withdraw its reservation on Article 14(1) of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, aimed at effectively ensuring the right to compensation and rehabilitation for victims of state torture or enforced disappearance, has been approved at the United Nations.

Earlier, on December 29, the weekly meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, approved the proposal to withdraw the declaration concerning Article 14(1). The Chief Adviser's Press Wing informed this in a press release today.

The release stated that the Convention against Torture was adopted in 1984 and is currently ratified by 173 states. Bangladesh ratified the convention in 1998. However, regarding Article 14(1), five states, including Bangladesh, along with The Bahamas, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, and the United States, had placed reservations.

Due to this reservation, it had not been possible until now to fully implement the right to fair and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for victims of state torture or enforced disappearance. With the withdrawal of the reservation, the path is now open for victims of state torture to obtain compensation and rehabilitation. Furthermore, if a victim dies as a result of torture, their dependents will also be entitled to compensation.

The Advisory Council has described this decision as a landmark and historic step. In their view, this will further strengthen Bangladesh's international image in protecting human rights, while also enhancing state accountability and transparency. It is noteworthy that human rights activists have been demanding this for nearly two decades.