A UN human rights body called on Bangladeshi authorities on Friday to investigate credible allegations that police and security forces routinely torture detainees and to prosecute any perpetrators.

It was the first time that the independent experts examined the record of Bangladesh, which ratified an international ban on torture in 1999 but had failed to submit any compliance reports until last month.

"Bangladesh presented us with no report for 20 years, came a week beforehand and gave us a report which was solely about the law," panel member Felice Gaer told a briefing.

"We did not come out with a happy conclusion. We have a 16-page report which begins with the discussion of widespread torture, widespread and routine torture," she said.

A delegation of 20 Bangladeshi officials led by justice minister Anisul Huq told the UN Committee Against Torture that the government was committed to preventing any violent punishment and acts of torture.

It had initiated prison reform and had a "zero-tolerance policy" for deaths in custody due to torture, he said.

The government delegation said 17 claims of torture had been brought, but it was unable to provide any details, Gaer added.

The panel, which received information from activists and U.N. agencies, voiced concern at allegations of "widespread and routine commission of torture and ill-treatment in (Bangladesh) by law enforcement officials for the purpose of obtaining confessions or to solicit the payment of bribes".

It cited reports that "police officers frequently refuse to register claims of torture or disappearance brought by victims or family members".

A UN human rights body called on Bangladeshi authorities on Friday to investigate credible allegations that police and security forces routinely torture detainees and to prosecute any perpetrators.

A UN human rights body called on Bangladeshi authorities on Friday to investigate credible allegations that police and security forces routinely torture detainees and to prosecute any perpetrators. It was the first time that the independent experts examined the record of Bangladesh, which ratified an international ban on torture in 1999 but had failed to submit any compliance reports until last month. "Bangladesh presented us with no report for 20 years, came a week beforehand and gave us a report which was solely about the law," panel member Felice Gaer told a briefing. "We did not come out with a happy conclusion. We have a 16-page report which begins with the discussion of widespread torture, widespread and routine torture," she said. A delegation of 20 Bangladeshi officials led by justice minister Anisul Huq told the UN Committee Against Torture that the government was committed to preventing any violent punishment and acts of torture. It had initiated prison reform and had a "zero-tolerance policy" for deaths in custody due to torture, he said. The government delegation said 17 claims of torture had been brought, but it was unable to provide any details, Gaer added. The panel, which received information from activists and U.N. agencies, voiced concern at allegations of "widespread and routine commission of torture and ill-treatment in (Bangladesh) by law enforcement officials for the purpose of obtaining confessions or to solicit the payment of bribes". It cited reports that "police officers frequently refuse to register claims of torture or disappearance brought by victims or family members".

Bangladesh must investigate rife torture: United Nations rights body

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-abe-unlikely-to-meet-south-koreas-moon-at-un-in-september-source-239155">Japan</a> on Tuesday offered to play a role of mediator between Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure peaceful and smooth repatriation of Rohingya people to their place of origin in Rakhine State.

The said offer was proposed during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Japanese counterpart Tara Kono here on Tuesday.

At a joint press conference following the bilateral, the two diplomats stressed on the need for necessary steps to be taken by the Myanmar government to create an environment conducive to the return of the Rohingyas, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Kono, who is on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh, visited <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-delegation-holds-repatriation-talks-with-rohingya-in-bangladesh-238936">Rohingya settlements</a> in Cox`s Bazar earlier in the day and talked to many people living there to understand their situation first hand.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday told the United Nations (UN) that the flow of Rohingyas into Bangladesh, although low, continues still.

More than 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee the northern Rakhine in western Myanmar following a brutal military crackdown in 2017. The United Nations said that the offensive against the ethnic group included mass killings and gang rapes executed with "genocidal intent".

Followingly, the minorities took shelter in three dozen camps in Bangladesh`s Cox`s Bazar, pushing the number of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to above 1.2 million. Many still fear for their safety if they return to Myanmar where the Muslim minority has faced decades of repression.

It may be noted that Bangladesh and Myanmar had signed a repatriation deal in November 2017, but so far virtually no Rohingya have volunteered to return. Bangladesh has said it will not force any Rohingya to leave the country.

On Saturday, a 15-member delegation of Myanmar government officials visited Cox`s Bazar and held repatriation talks with the Muslim community.

Last November, a move to start the repatriation process fell through after none of the Rohingya agreed to return to Myanmar. It followed a visit to the camps in October last year by a Myanmar delegation.

Japan on Tuesday offered to play a role of mediator between Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure peaceful and smooth repatriation of Rohingya people to their place of origin in Rakhine State.

Japan on Tuesday offered to play a role of mediator between Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure peaceful and smooth repatriation of Rohingya people to their place of origin in Rakhine State. The said offer was proposed during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Japanese counterpart Tara Kono here on Tuesday. At a joint press conference following the bilateral, the two diplomats stressed on the need for necessary steps to be taken by the Myanmar government to create an environment conducive to the return of the Rohingyas, reported Dhaka Tribune. Kono, who is on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh, visited Rohingya settlements in Cox`s Bazar earlier in the day and talked to many people living there to understand their situation first hand. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday told the United Nations (UN) that the flow of Rohingyas into Bangladesh, although low, continues still. More than 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee the northern Rakhine in western Myanmar following a brutal military crackdown in 2017. The United Nations said that the offensive against the ethnic group included mass killings and gang rapes executed with "genocidal intent". Followingly, the minorities took shelter in three dozen camps in Bangladesh`s Cox`s Bazar, pushing the number of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to above 1.2 million. Many still fear for their safety if they return to Myanmar where the Muslim minority has faced decades of repression. It may be noted that Bangladesh and Myanmar had signed a repatriation deal in November 2017, but so far virtually no Rohingya have volunteered to return. Bangladesh has said it will not force any Rohingya to leave the country. On Saturday, a 15-member delegation of Myanmar government officials visited Cox`s Bazar and held repatriation talks with the Muslim community. Last November, a move to start the repatriation process fell through after none of the Rohingya agreed to return to Myanmar. It followed a visit to the camps in October last year by a Myanmar delegation.

Rohingya crisis: Japan offers to play mediator between Bangladesh and Myanmar

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Bangladesh must investigate rife torture: United Nations rights body

Rohingya crisis: Japan offers to play mediator between Bangladesh and Myanmar