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Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed significant concern over recent legislative changes introduced by the Bangladeshi Parliament, which effectively remove key human rights protections and existing legal safeguards against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The legislative shift marks a concerning retreat from previously established norms that had been seen as a step forward in the country’s human rights landscape.
The deterioration began with the revocation of two pivotal ordinances: the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025 and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance 2025. Enacted by the interim government, these ordinances had fortified the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by bestowing it with independent powers crucial for prevention, investigation, and accountability. Post-election, the administration led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has, however, introduced new legislation that negates these reforms.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Legislation removes the NHRC’s independence and investigative powers. This move has drawn criticism for its non-compliance with international standards, such as the Paris Principles, which define the fundamental requirements for the status, operation, and credibility of national human rights institutions. Human Rights Watch criticized the government’s regression, observing that Rahman, who came to power with promises of reform, is alarmingly replicating the practices of predecessor Sheikh Hasina. This shift raises fears of a return to past widespread abuses.
Additionally, the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act has been modified to significantly alter mechanisms for accountability. The previous reliance on independent boards is replaced by government-determined agencies responsible for probing allegations. HRW has emphasized the need for genuine security sector reform and a truly independent human rights entity with a mandate to investigate abuses. There remains skepticism over the effectiveness of the new system in genuinely safeguarding human rights.
The transformation of the contentious Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) into the Special Response Battalion (SRB) via the Special Response Battalion Act further illustrates the government’s strategy. Despite claims of disbanding the RAB, the legislation merely renames the unit while reducing safeguards, prompting HRW to urge the United States to maintain sanctions on the force. This force rebranding is seen as a superficial effort to mitigate international scrutiny without substantive reform.
Though Prime Minister Rahman has pledged to reform, the enactment of these legislative changes has caused apprehension about a potential regression to the repressive tactics of the former Awami League government. Amidst international and domestic objections, all three controversial bills have been passed, casting a shadow over the Bangladesh government’s commitment to international human rights standards. Further details on HRW’s stance can be found through JURIST.
This delicate situation in Bangladesh calls for a renewed international focus to ensure the government upholds its human rights obligations, preventing the erosion of hard-won protections for its citizens.
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