A coalition of leading international human rights organisations has called on the Government of Bangladesh to urgently retain and pass two key legislative frameworks aimed at strengthening accountability and preventing enforced disappearances, warning that any attempt to repeal or dilute them would severely undermine institutional independence and victim protection.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday (8 April), organisations including Human Rights Watch, CIVICUS, Article 19, International Federation for Human Rights, and several allied bodies urged Dhaka to proceed with the swift passage of the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025 and the Prevention of Enforced Disappearance Ordinance 2025.
The statement cautioned that proposals to repeal the ordinances and reintroduce them later as fresh legislation risk weakening hard-won safeguards embedded in the current legal framework. According to the organisations, the reforms represent a critical opportunity to establish a stronger, more independent human rights architecture in Bangladesh following the recent change in government.
Table of Contents
Key Provisions of the Ordinances
| Area | Reform Feature |
|---|---|
| Institutional independence | Strengthened safeguards for commissioners’ tenure and removal |
| Investigation powers | Authority to investigate allegations involving security forces |
| Detention oversight | Mandate to inspect prisons and detention facilities |
| Legal recognition | Enforced disappearance defined as a standalone criminal offence |
| Victim protection | Legal pathways for victims and families to seek redress |
| Accountability mechanisms | Expanded jurisdiction over state agencies |
The ordinances, introduced under the interim administration, collectively restructured the National Human Rights Commission, granting it enhanced powers to investigate allegations of abuse by law enforcement agencies and to conduct independent monitoring of detention centres. They also introduced stronger protections against arbitrary dismissal of commissioners, a measure intended to safeguard institutional autonomy.
Crucially, the Prevention of Enforced Disappearance Ordinance 2025 formally recognises enforced disappearance as a distinct criminal offence under national law, establishing legal remedies for victims and their families—an issue long raised by domestic and international rights advocates.
The Commission on Enforced Disappearances has reportedly documented 1,569 complaints of alleged disappearance and custodial abuse involving security personnel, with 287 individuals still unaccounted for. Rights groups argue that the continuation and strengthening of the ordinances are essential for ensuring that such cases can be independently investigated and properly addressed.
Concerns Over Proposed Revisions
Human rights organisations expressed particular concern that recent proposals could require the National Human Rights Commission to seek prior permission from government ministries before investigating security forces. They also warned that allowing a government-majority role in the appointment of commissioners could compromise the body’s independence and credibility.
According to the coalition, a fully autonomous commission must operate without executive interference if it is to function effectively as a safeguard against abuse and impunity.
The organisations further urged the government to reconsider provisions within the disappearance legislation that include the death penalty, recommending alignment with international human rights standards and best practices.
International Signatories
The joint statement was endorsed by a wide coalition of global organisations, including:
- Human Rights Watch
- CIVICUS
- Article 19
- Fortify Rights
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
- Tech Global Institute
- United Against Torture Consortium (UATC)
The UATC network also includes the Association for the Prevention of Torture, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, Omega Research Foundation, REDRESS, and the World Organisation Against Torture.
Call for Stronger Legal Commitment
The organisations emphasised that the new government, in office for just over six weeks, is facing an early but defining test of its commitment to human rights reform. They argued that retaining and strengthening the ordinances—rather than dismantling or replacing them—would signal a decisive break from past practices and demonstrate alignment with international legal standards.
They concluded that Bangladesh now stands at a pivotal moment, where its legislative choices could either reinforce accountability and justice, or risk weakening protections for victims of serious human rights violations.