DHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) – The government has approved a proposal to withdraw Bangladesh’s declaration under Article 14(1) of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) to effectively ensure compensation and rehabilitation rights for victims of state torture or enforced disappearance.

The Council of Advisers approved the proposal at its weekly meeting on Thursday with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

The meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) also approved six ordinances, two other proposals and a policy along with taking a decision to open a new mission at Georgetown in Guyana, a Caribbean country.

Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media about the outcomes of the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy here on Thursday afternoon.

Explaining the government’s decision to withdraw the declaration, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing today said that the convention was adopted in 1984 and has currently been ratified by 173 states. Bangladesh ratified the CAT treaty in 1998.

At the time of accession to the convention, Bangladesh along with the Bahamas, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, and the United States made reservations to Article 14(1).

Due to that reservation, it had not been possible until now to effectively ensure the right to fair and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for victims of torture or enforced disappearance by the state.

The press wing said with the decision to withdraw the reservation, the path has now been cleared for victims of state torture to receive rehabilitation and compensation. As a result, if a victim dies due to torture, the persons dependent on the victim will also be entitled to compensation.

The Council of Advisers believes that this decision is a landmark and historic step. It will further strengthen and consolidate Bangladesh’s international image in the protection of human rights.

At the same time, it will enhance state accountability and transparency. This has been a long-standing demand of Bangladesh’s human rights activists for nearly two decades.