The government has approved the withdrawal of Bangladesh’s declaration under Article 14(1) of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
The decision, finalized during a Council of Advisers meeting on Thursday chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
By revoking its declaration under Article 14(1) of the treaty, Bangladesh formally recognizes the enforceable right of torture survivors to seek comprehensive rehabilitation and financial redress. This policy change removes a legal hurdle that had existed since the country first ratified the convention in 1998.
Previously, Bangladesh’s reservation allowed the state to apply compensation measures only in accordance with existing domestic laws, which critics argued provided a loop-hole for impunity.
The new directive ensures that victims of state torture or enforced disappearance—and their dependents in cases of custodial death—are entitled to fair and adequate compensation.
Human rights activists, who have campaigned for this reform for nearly twenty years, view the decision as a critical step in aligning national policy with international standards.
The Council of Advisers stated that the move is intended to consolidate Bangladesh’s global reputation as a protector of fundamental human rights while enhancing transparency within its governing institutions.
The Council approved six new ordinances, including regulations aimed at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace and educational institutions, as well as the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026. These measures reflect a wider effort by the interim administration to modernize the country’s legal framework and social protections.
On the diplomatic front, the government also announced the establishment of a new mission in Georgetown, Guyana. The decision to open a diplomatic presence in the Caribbean nation is strategically timed to capitalize on Guyana's rapid economic growth, which exceeded 50% last year due to an oil and gas boom.
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam noted that the mission will facilitate the entry of skilled Bangladeshi professionals—including doctors, engineers, and agricultural experts—into a promising new labor market.
