Bangladesh’s path to compensate torture victims opens after UN approves withdrawal of ‘objection’

The withdrawal paves the way for victims’ families to claim redress even when the victim has died

The United Nations has formally accepted Bangladesh’s proposal to withdraw its reservation under the Convention against Torture, clearing the way for victims of torture and enforced disappearance -- including the families of victims who died -- to claim compensation and redress.

The Chief Advisor's Office (CAO) shared this development in a media statement on Thursday.

The interim government initially approved the proposal to withdraw the objection on Dec 29, concerning Article 14(1) of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which guarantees victims of torture and enforced disappearance the right to redress and compensation.

Bangladesh ratified the convention in 1998, but entered a reservation limiting the application of the article, alongside the Bahamas, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand, and the USA.

As a result, victims of state-led torture or enforced disappearance have been unable to claim compensation and rehabilitation.

The CAO described the move as “historic”, saying it would strengthen Bangladesh’s international human rights standing and improve accountability and transparency within the nation.

The Convention against Torture was adopted in 1984 and has been ratified by 173 countries.