The police reform commission in its report recommended giving all power to the National Human Rights Commission to investigate human rights violations by members of law enforcement agencies.
If any human rights violation allegation against the law enforcement agencies or their incitement arises, the organisation chief can direct for investigation, the report said, adding that the law enforcing agencies鈥� headquarters must have a human rights cell in such cases.
Police must have to keep an executive magistrate or local government representative or an eminent person of the locality to search any house, said the commission report submitted to the interim government鈥檚 chief adviser, Muhamamd Yunus, on Wednesday.
It also recommended making some necessary changes in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 for the use of force and the protection of human rights.
Make necessary changes in the Police Act, 1861 or formulate a new act to make police public friendly and accountable, it suggested, adding that Police Regulations, Bengal (PRB) 1943 could be changed or replaced for building an accountable police force.
鈥榃e have identified 22 laws which require amendment and replacement. We have said in details regarding our objections to the sections of the laws,鈥� reform commission chairman Safar Raz Hossain, also a former home secretary, said while presenting the report to the chief adviser at the CA office in Dhaka.
The commission agreed on the point in principle for forming a neutral police commission for creating an influence-free and accountable police force.
It said that it would be decided later whether the police commission would be included in the law or be a constitutional body.
The formation of a police commission, its terms of reference, constitutional obligations need to be examined properly.
Police verification has to be completed within one month for job issues or can be extended for 15 days, it said, adding that enquiry on permanent address following the national identification card could be stalled for job seekers.
Launching an emergency call service if police officials are unable to show identity cards or search warrants was proposed.
The commission also recommended recording general diary to be made compulsory and rejection of filing GD to be prohibited.
There must not be any delay in recording first information report, it recommended.
Police have to refrain from filing cases against unnamed people, the report said, adding that if any police member willingly harasses anyone in framing such a case, legal actions would be taken against the member.
Legal officers鈥� cell has to be formed in all districts and metropolitan cities and legal experts would have to be appointed, it said, adding that allocation for special allowances to be provided for performing duties more than eight hours.
