Opposition MPs boycott NHRC Bill discussion over lack of consultation

Opposition lawmakers boycott National Human Rights Commission Bill scrutiny in Bangladesh Parliament

Opposition members of Bangladesh’s Parliament have refused to engage in any discussion or scrutiny of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Bill, according to a written submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The three opposition MPs—Nazibur Rahman, Al Faruk Abdul Latif, and Akhtar Hossain—announced their decision after the bill was referred to the committee for review. The move comes amid concerns over the legislation’s alignment with international human rights standards and the limited time provided for stakeholder consultations.

The NHRC Bill was introduced in the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday and immediately sent to the standing committee for scrutiny. On Sunday, the committee convened at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to discuss two bills—the Property Transfer Bill and the NHRC Bill. While opposition MPs participated in discussions on the Property Transfer Bill, they walked out before deliberations on the NHRC Bill began. Instead, they submitted a written statement outlining their objections to the committee, which was also shared with journalists.

In their statement, the opposition MPs criticized the government for repealing the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025 without consulting victims, stakeholders, or national and international human rights organizations. They argued that the government had pledged to introduce stronger legislation but instead presented a bill that narrows the commission’s scope. The MPs also highlighted that the bill does not comply with the Paris Principles, which set international benchmarks for national human rights institutions.

Another major concern raised was the committee’s tight deadline—just two working days—to review and submit a report on the bill. The opposition MPs warned that such a rushed process would prevent meaningful consultation and independent scrutiny, effectively turning the standing committee into a “rubber stamp” for government proposals. As a result, they decided not to participate in any stage of the bill’s passage or attend future committee meetings.

Nazibur Rahman, a member of the standing committee and a Jamaat-e-Islami MP, confirmed the opposition’s stance to reporters. The three opposition MPs represent a key bloc in the committee, and their withdrawal from discussions signals broader political resistance to the bill. The government, however, has not yet publicly responded to the objections raised.

The dispute highlights ongoing debates over human rights governance in Bangladesh, with critics questioning whether the proposed NHRC Bill strengthens protections or merely centralizes oversight under government control.

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