Normative and institutional responses to torture in Bangladesh

Abstract

This thesis examines the normative and institutional responses to torture in Bangladesh to identify the norms and institutional responses in the light of international standards linked with the existing trends and try to sketch the future schemes to provide solutions for making the struggle against torture more effective. The findings of the thesis focuses existing and upcoming strategies of our country especially within the State Organs i.e., the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive and try to interpret those with the international standards with a view to find out how far Bangladesh needs to go for having an anti-torture regime of a reasonable standard. The study commences with an in-depth analysis of all the international standards regarding the prohibition of torture first and then provides the historical practices of torture, the horrible methods of torture used all through the history including the torture methods used by various public authorities in our country. The thesis next presents a critical analysis of the normative responses of Bangladesh regarding torture and explains how the Organs of the State are responding towards these. It reveals hidden obstacles that are hindering in the realization of international obligations of Bangladesh. The thesis with its field work also reveals that even if there are many obstacles, the State is constantly trying to overcome those. It presents that any anti-torture policy cannot be implemented if the three Organs of the State are not working together, prohibition of torture in order to be absolute requires the integration of all the activities of three Organs; one cannot fulfill the obligation without the help of the others. The study concludes by suggesting steps to be followed by the State in order to move towards an anti-torture regime perfectly.