Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said extrajudicial killings have fallen to nearly zero under the current government. He made the statement on July 25 as chief guest at a consultation meeting organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. The minister also said the government follows a zero-tolerance policy on enforced disappearances.

He said the government has been working to withdraw cases filed out of political vengeance between 2009 and 2024 and has reached the final stage of a decision. Rape cases will not be considered for withdrawal even if they are claimed to be politically motivated, he said. Drug cases will be reviewed carefully to determine whether they were filed to harass opponents.

The minister said three rounds of consultations with civil society, law-enforcement agencies and development partners were completed before final drafts of the Human Rights Commission Act and the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act. Both bills have been sent to a cabinet committee, and he expects them to be placed in parliament quickly after cabinet approval at its next meeting.