The authorities of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have finalised a draft act to rename the force as the People’s Protection Forces (PPF) and establish an independent complaint management body to strengthen accountability amid longstanding criticism over human rights violations.
The proposed Complaint Redress Committee would enforce a range of accountability, oversight, and human rights-related provisions detailed in the draft.
The draft People’s Protection Forces (PPF) Act, 2026, has already been submitted to the Police Headquarters for finalisation before being sent to the home ministry for approval, according to Rab Director General Md Ahsan Habib Palash.
“The ministry will finally decide whether Rab will be renamed as PPF,” he told The Daily Star.
“The new proposal has been formulated to ensure that members of the specialised force act in accordance with human rights standards and remain accountable,” he added.
The proposal was submitted after the government asked the force to draft reform plans following the 2024 uprising.
The force had already been under international scrutiny since December 2021, when the United States imposed sanctions on Rab and several former and serving officials over allegations of serious human rights abuses.
Human rights organisations have long accused the force of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture, and have called for either sweeping reforms or the force’s dissolution.
One of the most significant changes proposed in the draft law is the establishment of the Complaint Redress Committee, comprising five members and empowered to address grievances lodged by citizens against force members as well as complaints raised internally by personnel.
The committee would be chaired by an additional director general of the force and include a joint secretary from the home ministry, a joint secretary from the finance division, a human rights activist with at least 10 years of experience in the field, and a prominent journalist nominated by the president of the Jatiya Press Club.
Officials involved in the drafting process said the proposal to include a human rights representative and a journalist is intended to address longstanding concerns about the absence of independent oversight of Rab operations.
The committee would be authorised to initiate preliminary inquiries on its own, form independent investigation teams when necessary, and assess the gravity of alleged misconduct before recommending disciplinary action to the competent authority.
It would also deal with internal complaints. The proposed body could examine allegations of undue influence, promotions, postings, departmental penalties, harassment and other forms of unfair treatment within the force, and advise authorities on corrective measures.
The draft also empowers the committee to investigate allegations of unlawful attempts, by individuals or organisations, to influence the force’s operations. If such interference is established, the committee may recommend action against those responsible.
To strengthen accountability, the committee would submit quarterly reports to the home ministry detailing how it handled public complaints and internal grievances.
In conducting investigations, it would enjoy powers similar to those of a civil court, including the authority to summon witnesses and require the production of documents, giving it stronger legal standing than a purely administrative oversight body.
A senior Rab official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the draft also seeks to ensure operational protection for personnel.
“If we do not ensure that protection, none will work seriously,” the official said, adding that members would not face punishment for unintended incidents occurring during operations.
The draft, outlined in a 17-point framework, defines offences and misconduct by force members, including extortion, unlawful use of citizens’ property or vehicles, failure to prevent subordinate abuse, negligence leading to suspect escape, destruction of property and dereliction of duty.
Under the proposal, a commander would be held liable if they receive a complaint that a subordinate member assaulted, abused, tortured, or mistreated a person, or was involved in rioting or trespassing, and, despite finding the allegation to be true, fail to provide lawful assistance to the victim or neglect to report the matter to the appropriate authorities.
The draft outlines procedures for investigating allegations against personnel and returning accused members to their parent organisations for disciplinary action under relevant service laws.
Despite discussions on whether the force should be allowed to recruit its own personnel alongside inducting members from other agencies, authorities decided to retain the existing structure, Rab sources said.
Rab currently operates as a composite force made up of personnel from the police, army, navy, air force and other law enforcement agencies.
The proposal says that the force would continue to be headed by a serving additional inspector general of police under the command of the inspector general of police.
While the draft introduces new accountability mechanisms, many of Rab’s existing operational powers would remain intact.
The proposed specialised force would continue to gather intelligence, combat terrorism and recover illegal arms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics.
The force would retain the authority to enter premises, conduct searches and make arrests without prior authorisation in specified circumstances, including at locations suspected of housing drugs, arms, ammunition, illegal armed groups or their hideouts.
The force would also be empowered to take such action against individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities or any cognisable offence.
The draft additionally proposes establishing a dedicated research unit at headquarters to analyse crime and terrorism trends, while making training mandatory for all force members.
Institutional continuity would also be preserved. All assets, liabilities, funds, records, contracts and ongoing legal proceedings involving Rab would automatically transfer to the new force.
Rab was established in March 2004, with its operations formally launched on April 14 that year during Pahela Baishakh celebrations at Ramna Batamul. Equipped with modern weapons and technology, and known for its distinctive black uniforms, headscarves and dark sunglasses, the force quickly gained public attention.
The then government credited Rab with helping reduce crime through operations targeting notorious criminals and gangsters. However, allegations of excessive use of force emerged soon afterwards.
The force currently operates under the Armed Police Battalions (Amendment) Act, 2003, passed in July 2003.
At least 15 former Rab officers -- including three former Rab chiefs, an additional director general and 11 army officers who served in the force -- are currently facing trial at the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations of enforced disappearance, torture and killings.
