Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that a new law is being drafted to operate the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as an elite force of the police.

He made the remarks on Monday afternoon (18 May) during a press briefing following an exchange of views with journalists at the RAB headquarters in Kurmitola, Dhaka, on the occasion of the force's 22nd anniversary.

The Home Minister stated that RAB will operate in the future while strictly upholding human rights. Regarding a potential name change for the force, he noted that a decision would be made later.

Acknowledging that the force’s reputation had been tarnished by the actions of certain officers, the minister emphasized that the institution itself should not be held responsible. He pointed out that during the fascist regime, specific officers had faced US sanctions, as had the organization.

Announcing the legislative updates, Salahuddin said that RAB will be governed under a new legal framework designed to ensure transparency and accountability.