Staff Correspondent, Dhaka – Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is at risk of being turned into a government-controlled agency rather than operating as an independent constitutional body.
In response, TIB has submitted a 19-point recommendation to amend the draft “National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026” and urged the government to consult with relevant stakeholders before finalizing the law.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the anti-graft watchdog confirmed that it had submitted its formal recommendations to the government on June 8.
TIB noted that certain amendments introduced in the new draft—compared to the 2025 Ordinance—contradict the long-standing public demand for an independent and effective human rights commission. Furthermore, these changes are inconsistent with the internationally recognized Paris Principles.
Key Concerns Raised:
Loss of Autonomy: Deleting the clause that explicitly kept the commission outside the jurisdiction of any ministry or executive department opens the door for bureaucratic interference.
Political Bias in Appointments: The inclusion of the Speaker, two ministers, a ruling party MP, and the Cabinet Secretary in the selection committee risks politicizing commissioner appointments.
Lack of Inclusivity: The draft fails to mandate representation for ethnic minorities, underprivileged groups, and women within the commission.
The 2025 Ordinance explicitly stated that the commission would be a completely independent body and would not fall under the jurisdiction of any government ministry or department.
However, this critical clause has been omitted from the new draft. TIB fears that this omission will drastically increase the executive branch’s influence over the commission, severely hindering its ability to safeguard human rights impartially.
Regarding the selection process outlined in Section 7 of the draft, TIB pointed out that the inclusion of political figures creates a severe conflict of interest and threatens the neutrality of the recruitment process.
To ensure true accountability, TIB stressed that the commission must be granted the authority to regularly inspect and investigate law enforcement agencies, intelligence wings, and detention centers.
The organization called for robust legal provisions enabling the NHRC to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, and unlawful detentions, noting that existing mechanisms to penalize public servants or security personnel accused of human rights violations remain inadequate.
Finally, TIB recommended amending the law to legally mandate the inclusion of at least one commissioner from an ethnic minority or underprivileged community, alongside a minimum of two female commissioners, to ensure fair representation.