Dialogue on “Promoting a Multistakeholder Approach to Support Police Reform in Bangladesh to Advance Comprehensive, People-Centered, and Human Rights Based Reform Efforts”

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), jointly organised a dialogue titled “Promoting a Multistakeholder Approach to Support Police Reform in Bangladesh to Advance Comprehensive, People-Centered, and Human Rights-Based Reform Efforts” on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka.

Mr. Baharul Alam, BPM, Honourable Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, attended the event as the Chief Guest. The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. Suruchi Pant, Deputy Regional Representative, UNODC South Asia. Mr. Felipe Ramos, Head of Office, UNODC Bangladesh, outlined the objectives and expected outcomes of the dialogue.

The inaugural session was chaired by Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, awc, afwc, psc, PEng, Director General of BIISS, who highlighted the importance of fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to police reform. He emphasised that strengthening partnerships among government institutions, law enforcement agencies, civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders is essential for advancing comprehensive, people-centred, and human rights-based policing in Bangladesh.

The dialogue brought together policymakers, senior officials from Bangladesh Police, representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, academia, development partners, and international organisations. Participants exchanged views on the challenges and opportunities for police reform and underscored the importance of a coordinated, multistakeholder approach to enhancing accountability, public trust, and the effectiveness of law enforcement institutions in Bangladesh.