Quarterly Progress Report: January-March--2008 - Police Reform ...

Section I: Context(This section should highlight (1) the key developments and issues related to thesubject area in Bangladesh and (2) description of the key objectives and outputs ofthe project.)(1) Key areas of development and issuesrelated to the subject area in BangladeshBangladesh is a developing nation and a fledgling democracy. The liberation war of1971 left the economy in ruins and since that time Bangladesh has suffered fromfamine, many natural disasters and political instability. The political situation remainsconfrontational and democratic institutions and systems of governance are stillevolving. According to many reports (including the ADB Quarterly Economic Updatereleased at the end of October 2003), law and order, crime and corruption are seriousproblems which impact on economic growth and promote insecurity. In the view ofmany individuals and groups, the criminal justice system in Bangladesh is essentiallyimpoverished; crime is underreported and poorly investigated by the police, the courtsystem is slow and inadequate and the prisons are dilapidated and overcrowded.There remains widespread concern about law and order, access to justice and publicsafety at all levels of society.Transnational and large-scale organized crime including human trafficking, moneylaundering, smuggling, white collar crime and crimes against the environment aresignificantly emerging in Bangladesh and representing considerable problems for anunder-resourced, poorly trained and politicized law enforcement agency.Thus, an accountable, transparent and efficient policing service in Bangladesh isessential for the safety and well being of all citizens, national stability and longer-termgrowth and development, particularly the creation of a secure environment which isconducive to consumer and investor confidence. A Needs Assessment studyconducted in 2003 clearly outlines the justification for a Police Reform Programme tosupport the Bangladesh Police.The Police Reform Programme aims at improving the efficiency and effectiveness ofBangladesh Police by supporting key areas of access to justice; including crimeprevention; investigations, police operations and prosecutions; human resourcemanagement and training; future directions, strategic capacity and oversight;communication and anti-trafficking of human beings. The programme complementsother initiatives for reform in the broader justice sector and is designed to assistQuarterly Progress Report (January-March) 2008 Page 1 of 27