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Published : 09 Apr 2026, 01:26 PM
Despite objections from the opposition, a bill has been passed in the parliament to repeal the ordinance related to the Human Rights Commission issued during the interim government’s rule and to reinstate a law from 2009.
On Thursday, during a parliamentary session presided by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman presented the “National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill, 2026,” which was passed by voice vote.
Earlier, MP Hasnat Abdullah from the National Citizens Party (NCP) opposed the introduction of the bill. His objection was rejected by voice vote.
With the passage of the bill, the ordinance issued during the interim government has been repealed, and the National Human Rights Commission Act of 2009, enacted during the Awami League government, has been reinstated.
Opposing the bill, Hasnat Abdullah said, “Those who are now on the government benches would have opposed this bill if it had been before July 2024.”
According to him, if the 2025 ordinance is allowed to lapse, the Human Rights Commission could once again be used as a “tool of political repression.”
He said, “We do not learn from history. Whether we pass this now or next year, it may be allowed to lapse using the excuse of a majority. But in this parliament, the National Human Rights Commission law will inevitably be passed.”
Hasnat also said that the time allocated for discussion on the law was insufficient.
“I am raising objections regarding the law that is tied to its entire journey. Two minutes is not enough time for discussion. In parliament, a lot of time is spent on various issues, praise, and other matters, but on something important for the nation… I would request the honourable speaker to extend the time instead of limiting it.”
In response, the speaker said that there was precedent for allowing two minutes for such matters. However, he later gave Hasnat an additional two minutes.
After his time expired, Leader of the Oppposition Shafiqur Rahman also supported extending the discussion time. He said the issue is “closely linked to transparent politics and the safety of people’s lives.”
