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whether the force would retain the name “Rab”.

A committee comprising experts has already been formed to draft the law, he said, adding that Rab had long operated under provisions of the Armed Police Battalion Ordinance on an ad hoc basis, which is inappropriate for such a force.

The remarks come amid longstanding domestic and international criticism of the force over allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations.

Rab was established in April 2004 during the BNP-led government of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. In 2014, then BNP chairperson Khaleda herself also called for the force to be disbanded.

In 2021, the US imposed sanctions on Rab and six of its then-current and former officials over allegations of serious human rights abuses.

On December 10, 2024, the BNP proposed disbanding the force.

On February 12, 2025, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) recommended disbanding Rab following a UN fact-finding report on human rights violations linked to the July uprising.

Replying to a question on the US sanctions, Salahuddin said the force’s image had been tarnished by the actions of some officials.

“No institution remained unaffected during the fascist regime. The police, army, Rab, and BGB ... all. But the entire institution cannot be held responsible for the actions of a few officials.”

He said the government instructed the relevant authorities to make those responsible for wrongdoing accountable in accordance with the law. “The US sanctions are still in place. However, if Rab is renamed or a new elite force is raised, they might reconsider the sanctions.”

Responding to a question, the minister said, “Morning shows the day. The current government has been in office for three months. Has Rab, police or any other force been used politically so far?”

On a question regarding the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali, the minister said, “Ilias Ali’s wife has filed a case with the ICT tribunal, and so have I. The strongest judicial framework currently exists within the ICT law. The commission on enforced disappearances had certain limitations, as it did not specify punitive measures.

“If necessary amendments can be made to the ICT law, then all cases related to enforced disappearances can be tried under it. There were also some legal limitations, and we are working on those as well.”