Editorial
Expediting investigative process
Setting timeline is good idea
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) demanding of the government to set a time frame to complete investigations into the recent cases of sensational murders, disappearances and human rights violation resonates well with us.
We note that Home Minister Shahara Khatun, who is rather unwavering in her trust in the law-enforcement agency's capacity, finally admitted to the inordinate delay already made in the probes. But admitting failure is one thing, taking a firm decision to finish the task of carrying out the probes with due urgency is another.
Whatever administrative decisions might have led to delays in the investigations, it only lays bare the fact that ultimate responsibility lies with the political authority.
To be as good as her admission, the home minister should now take necessary action to expedite the pace of investigation into the 20 cases of murder, disappearance, and police assault on journalists and women submitted by the HRC chairman to her.
While taking necessary action to this end, the government would also do well to take a fresh look at other cases of human rights violations including disappearances, extrajudicial killings as well as custodial deaths. The probes into these are yet to see the light of day, let alone finding the culprits and punishing them.
We think the home minister is not also unaware of the fact that the delays are often caused by political interference in the probes. The task of completing investigation in time does therefore hinge largely on how firmly the government is ready to exercise its political will in the enforcement of law without fear and favour.
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