Economists, human rights activists, and political leaders have urged that the National Human Rights Commission ordinance be enacted in the new government’s first parliamentary session, with provisions for any necessary amendments to be made later.
They highlighted ongoing challenges in the country’s political culture, the need for judicial independence, and the importance of passing reforms to bring Bangladesh closer to international human rights standards.
They made these remarks at a dialogue titled “National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025: Expectations from the New Parliament,” organised by the Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Prominent economist and Chairman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Rehman Sobhan, has urged urgent action to restore human rights and the rule of law, warning that Bangladesh’s political culture has long been marked by governments violating the rights of their opponents.
Rehman said that many citizens have faced repeated rights violations over the past 17 years, adding that those who experienced such abuses should be the strongest defenders of democratic values.
He criticised the recurring pattern in which parties, once in power, repeat the same rights violations they previously condemned. Sobhan also expressed concern that many people remain in jail largely due to their political identity, calling it a failure of both rights protection and the judicial system.
Rehman Sobhan said that the new home minister’s early actions would be a key test of the government’s commitment to restoring the rule of law and ensuring judicial independence.
Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that no one should be harassed for playing or listening to any leader’s speech, calling for responsible behaviour to prevent such incidents.
He stressed that human rights violations over the speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman must be avoided.
He acknowledged that Bangladesh’s political culture cannot become fully democratic overnight but said efforts will continue to gradually improve it. The minister highlighted that progress toward a fully democratic society will take time.
Regarding interim government ordinances, he said that most will likely be accepted, while some may be amended and passed as bills in parliament.
He also confirmed that the National Human Rights Commission ordinance will be discussed in parliament, aiming to bring the country closer to international human rights standards.
Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of the Citizen Platform, said, “Today is the time to implement this ordinance. Everyone, inside and outside parliament, must raise their voices. Even if imperfect, this ordinance should be passed as a step for the better.”
He noted, “The interim government issued and amended this ordinance and formed a Human Rights Commission. Some parts will remain, some revised, some omitted. Flaws can be fixed later; delaying now would prevent passage.”
Human rights activist Khushi Kabir said, “This ordinance must be passed in Parliament. Amendments can come later, but we don’t want the commission as it was before.”
Most speakers, including Barrister Sara Hossain, Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, and MP Barrister Rumeen Farhana, urged its passage.
