National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh

National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh is an independent Bangladeshi Supreme Court-mandated body that investigates human rights violations in Bangladesh, with the support of UNDP and EU. The commission works closely with Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs to address torture, extrajudicial killing, and disappearance cases, often in collaboration with Ain o Salish Kendra and Odhikar. The commission's efforts are also guided by international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

● Introduction

The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh was established in 2007, with the enactment of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, which was later amended in 2013, and is modeled after similar bodies, such as the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. The commission's establishment was a significant step towards promoting and protecting human rights in Bangladesh, as recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Commission of Jurists. The commission works in close collaboration with NGOs, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association, to address human rights concerns, including violence against women and child rights. The commission's efforts are also supported by international organizations, including the UNICEF and the UNFPA.

● History

The concept of a national human rights commission in Bangladesh dates back to the 1990s, when civil society organizations, such as the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, began advocating for the establishment of an independent body to investigate human rights abuses, with the support of international organizations, including the ILO and the WHO. The Government of Bangladesh responded to these demands by establishing the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh in 2007, with the appointment of its first chairman, Justice Amirul Kabir Chowdhury, a renowned Supreme Court judge, and other members, including Justice K.M. Hasan and Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman. The commission's establishment was welcomed by the international community, including the EU and the US Department of State, and was seen as a significant step towards promoting human rights in Bangladesh.

● Composition and Functions

The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh is composed of a chairman and six members, who are appointed by the President of Bangladesh for a term of three years, in consultation with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the Chief Justice of Bangladesh. The commission has a secretariat, which is headed by a secretary, and is responsible for providing administrative support to the commission, with the assistance of Ministry of Public Administration and the Bangladesh Public Service Commission. The commission's functions include investigating human rights complaints, conducting inquiries into human rights abuses, and making recommendations to the Government of Bangladesh to address human rights concerns, in collaboration with Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs. The commission also works closely with law enforcement agencies, including the Bangladesh Police and the RAB, to address human rights concerns, including torture and extrajudicial killing.

● Mandate and Responsibilities

The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh has a broad mandate to promote and protect human rights in Bangladesh, as outlined in the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, which includes investigating human rights complaints, conducting inquiries into human rights abuses, and making recommendations to the Government of Bangladesh to address human rights concerns, in accordance with international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The commission is also responsible for promoting human rights awareness and education, and for providing training to law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders on human rights issues, with the support of UNDP and EU. The commission works closely with NGOs, such as Ain o Salish Kendra and Odhikar, to address human rights concerns, including violence against women and child rights, and to promote human rights in Bangladesh.

● Notable Cases and Initiatives

The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh has investigated several high-profile human rights cases, including the Rana Plaza collapse and the Tazreen Fashions fire, and has made recommendations to the Government of Bangladesh to address human rights concerns, in collaboration with ILO and WHO. The commission has also launched several initiatives to promote human rights awareness and education, including a human rights education program for school children and a training program for law enforcement agencies, with the support of UNICEF and UNFPA. The commission has also worked closely with international organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Commission of Jurists, to address human rights concerns in Bangladesh.

● Challenges and Controversies

Despite its efforts to promote and protect human rights in Bangladesh, the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh has faced several challenges and controversies, including criticism from civil society organizations and human rights activists that the commission is not independent enough and that its recommendations are often ignored by the Government of Bangladesh, as reported by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. The commission has also faced challenges in investigating human rights abuses, particularly in cases where the law enforcement agencies are involved, as noted by the US Department of State and the EU. Despite these challenges, the commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Bangladesh, and continues to work closely with NGOs and international organizations to address human rights concerns, including torture, extrajudicial killing, and disappearance cases. Category:National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh