National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh
| National Human Rights Commission জাতীয় মানবাধিকার কমিশন (এনএইচআরসিবি) | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Human Rights for All, Everywhere, Equally মানবাধিকার সবার জন্য, সর্বত্র, সমানভাবে |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 9 December 2007 |
| Employees | 48 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Bangladesh |
| Operations jurisdiction | Bangladesh |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Parent agency | Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division |
| Statutory Independent Institution of the states | NHRC |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Bangladesh is an autonomous public body established in 2007 to advocate for and protect human rights.
In 2025, under the Interim government of Muhammad Yunus, an ordinance was drafted which gives the organization new duties and powers such as investigation, prosecution, legal representation of complainants. The new ordinance allows the organization to arrest and investigate suspects regardless of rank or political position independently. [1]
History
National Human Rights Commission was established on 9 December 2007 by the Caretaker government of Bangladesh. The organization was constituted under the provisions of the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance. It was reestablished by the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009 after the original ordinance lapsed.[2] Then it was reconstituted in 2009 as a national advocacy institution for human rights promotion and protection. It is committed to the accomplishment of human rights in a broader sense, including dignity, worth and freedom of every human being, as enshrined in the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and different international human rights conventions and treaties to which Bangladesh is a signatory. Consecutive administrations in Bangladesh have developed policies aimed at empowering women, incorporating this objective into their broader agendas while honoring their commitments to global development objectives.[3]
Emergence as a powerful organization
The NHRC was legally banned from investigating members of law enforcement since 2009, which was removed under the Interim government of Muhammad Yunus through a new ordinance in 2025.[1]
The ordinance also gives the organization new powers such as visiting and searching facilities to identify secret detention centres.[1] It can also issue warrants to inspect prisons or other premises where enforced disappearances could have taken place.[1]
The rights commission can also authorise law enforcers to make arrests with the ordinance stating investigating officers cannot be part of the organization that is being investigated.[1]
These changes have been considered revolutionary to tackle human rights abuses.[1]
Organization
A Selection Committee is formed consisting of seven members under headed by Speaker of the Parliament. Based upon its recommendation the President of Bangladesh appoints the chairman and members of the commission.[2]
| Name | Designation | Term | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamal Uddin Ahmed | Chairman | 8 December 2022 – 7 November 2024 | [4] |
| Nasima Begum | Chairman | 22 September 2019 – 23 September 2022 | [4] |
| Md Nazrul Islam | Acting Chairman | 2 July 2019 – 6 August 2019 | [4] |
| Kazi Reazul Hoque | Chairman | 2 August 2016 – 1 July 2019 | [4] |
| Mizanur Rahman | Chairman | 23 June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
| Md Nazrul Islam | Full Time Member | August 2016 – 6 August 2019 | [4] |
| Kazi Reazul Hoque | Full Time Member | June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
| Nurun Naher Osmani | Member | 2 August 2016 – 2 August 2019 | [4] |
| Enamul Hoque Chowdhury | Member | 2 August 2016 – 2 August 2019 | [4] |
| Akhter Hussain | Member | 2 August 2016 – 2 August 2019 | [4] |
| Meghna Guhathakurta | Member | 2 August 2016 – 2 August 2019 | [4] |
| Banchita Chakma | Member | 2 August 2016 – 8 August 2019 | [4] |
| Mahfuza Khanam | Member | 23 June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
| Selina Hossain | Member | 23 June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
| Aroma Datta | Member | 23 June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
| Fauzia Karim Firoz | Member | 23 June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
| Nirupa Dewan | Member | 23 June 2010 – 23 June 2016 | [4] |
Activities
- It lodged complaints against Border Security Forces of India over Felani Killing with the National Human Rights Commission of India.[5]
- It holds surveys regarding perceptions about human rights in Bangladesh.[6]
- It campaigns against Human Rights abuses and extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Islam, Zyma (21 September 2025). "Govt plans sweeping overhaul of NHRC". The Daily Star. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ a b "About". www.nhrc.org.bd. Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ "The Empowerment of Women in Bangladesh: Not Just Rhetoric". Institute of South Asian Studies. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Former Chairman and Members". National Human Rights Commission Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ^ "NHRC directs MHA to pay Rs 5 lakh to Felani Khatun's father". The Economic Times. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ Ahmed, Kawser. "Decoding HR perceptions in Bangladesh". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ "Bangladesh: Calls for end to torture, extrajudicial killings". IRINnews. Retrieved 2 January 2016.