Extra-judicial execution
Much ink has been wasted in the recent discourse on the merits and demerits of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), and I feel that it's time someone finally shared an informed opinion on the matter. It is indisputable that Rab's current rules of engagement allow it to liberally terminate suspects without an adjudication by the country's courts. Given few protections that the Bangladesh constitution affords the county's citizens from the state, and the utter failure of parliamentary oversight, this may not be such a negative outcome. In fact, Rab's actions appear to have the support of the majority of the country's citizenry, at least for now.
I, for one, would like to see this public opinion codified in either a government decree or a judicial directive clearly and publicly mandating Rab to employ deadly force in circumstances beyond self-defence. In fact, Rab should be permitted to terminate the suspects they deem fit for execution, and maximise the deterrence.
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