The United Nations has accepted Bangladesh’s proposal to withdraw the country’s reservation on a certain provision of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, paving the way for ensuring the rights to compensation and rehabilitation for victims of torture and enforced disappearance by the state.
The provision, article 14(1) of the CAT, mandates that each state party ensure in its legal system that victims of torture obtain redress. It guarantees an enforceable right to fair and adequate compensation, including the means for as full rehabilitation as possible, with provisions for dependents if the victim dies.
The UN decision came following the approval of the proposal at a weekly meeting of the council of advisers chaired by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on December 29, 2025, according to information shared by the chief adviser’s press wing on Thursday.
CAT, adopted in 1984, has so far been ratified by 173 states and Bangladesh acceded to the convention in 1998.
At the time of accession, Bangladesh, along with five other countries, the Bahamas, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and the United States, entered a reservation regarding the application of article 14(1).
Due to this reservation, it has not been possible to effectively ensure fair and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for victims of torture or enforced disappearance.
With the withdrawal of the reservation, the path has now been cleared for victims of state torture to claim compensation and rehabilitation.
In cases where a victim has died as a result of torture, their dependents will also be entitled to compensation.
The council of advisers described the move as a landmark and historic decision, saying that it would further strengthen Bangladesh’s international image in protecting human rights.
The decision is also expected to enhance state accountability and transparency.
The withdrawal of the declaration had been a longstanding demand of human rights activists in Bangladesh for nearly two decades, said the press wing.
