The Repeal of the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance

In a move that has sparked significant domestic concern, the National Parliament of Bangladesh recently repealed an ordinance designed to strengthen the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). By overriding opposition objections, the legislature passed a bill to reinstate the ‘National Human Rights Commission Act of 2009’—a law originally enacted during the Awami League administration. This legislative reversal has prompted the immediate resignation of the Commission’s leadership and raised alarms regarding the future of human rights oversight in the country.

A Return to Centralised Control

The primary effect of the new bill is the dissolution of three separate ordinances introduced during the interim government period. While the measures previously taken under these ordinances remain legally valid for the sake of continuity, the framework governing the NHRC has reverted to its 2009 status.

Legal experts and human rights advocates warn that this regression significantly compromises the Commission’s autonomy. Under the reinstated 2009 law, the government gains substantial influence over the selection committee responsible for appointing the NHRC Chairman and its members. Furthermore, the Commission will once again be stripped of its authority to independently investigate allegations of misconduct or abuses committed by law enforcement and security forces. Critics argue that these changes effectively transform the NHRC from an independent watchdog into a body with limited teeth, hampering its ability to address systemic violations.

Following the parliamentary vote on April 9, five recently appointed human rights commissioners resigned en masse. In a poignant open letter to the government, the outgoing members framed their departure as a matter of principle and responsibility toward victims.

“As the relevant ordinances were not passed in Parliament, victims have been repeatedly asking us, ‘What will happen to us now?’” the letter stated. The commissioners- all of whom have long careers dedicated to legal reform and rights protection- emphasized that they were not acting out of personal interest, but out of a duty to the vulnerable populations whose cases are now in legal limbo.

Nur Khan, a prominent member of the outgoing commission, clarified that while the government did not explicitly demand their resignations, the repeal created an untenable “legal haze.” He noted that since the commission was formed under the now-defunct interim ordinance, it was only appropriate to step down once that mandate was revoked.

A Turbulent Timeline

The recent instability within the NHRC is part of a broader period of transition following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.

• August 5, 2024: Following a student-led uprising, the previous government fell.
• November 7, 2024: After a visit from government intelligence officials, the then-chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed and five other members resigned.
• Late 2024: A period of vacancy followed until the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025, was issued and approved by the Advisory Council on October 30.
• February 5, 2025: New members were appointed under this reform-minded ordinance.
• April 9, 2025: Parliament voted to repeal the 2025 ordinance, reinstating the 2009 Act and triggering the latest wave of resignations.

The reinstatement of the 2009 Act marks a pivotal shift in the landscape of Bangladeshi governance. While the government maintains that the move ensures legislative continuity, the mass resignation of the commissioners and the vocal opposition from human rights defenders suggest a deepening crisis of trust. By restricting the Commission’s power to investigate state actors and increasing executive influence over its personnel, the new legislative environment poses a significant challenge to the protection of fundamental rights in Bangladesh.

Hasan Hamid
ISHR National Associate & Country Representative in Bangladesh