Staff Reporter:
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Friday said it is “deeply disappointed” at the decision of a government-led parliamentary review committee to recommend the dropping of two ordinances that are aimed at strengthening judicial independence.
In a press release issued Friday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman also expressed concern over the committee’s call for suspending the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance “in the name of review.”
The TIB chief urged the ruling party lawmakers to place the ordinances as bills in their original forms in the parliament. He also called for involving relevant stakeholders in the review of 16 ordinances recommended for suspension, before “immediately enacting these into law.”
The interim government’s ordinances aimed at significantly strengthening the country’s democratic and institutional foundations were already “few” in number, TIB noted, suggesting suspension and cancellation of these would further dim hopes of progress.
The few ordinances marking significant progress include the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, and the Human Rights Commission Ordinance, TIB said.
Questioning the rationale behind repealing and suspending these ordinances, Iftekharuzzaman said the move raises concerns about the elected government’s commitment to judicial independence, which had been pledged in its election manifesto.
He warned that such steps could undermine efforts to ensure an independent judiciary.
He also expressed concern that suspending the Human Rights Commission Ordinance has created uncertainty over the establishment of an effective rights body.
He stressed that the absence of a functional human rights commission, an independent judiciary and safeguards against enforced disappearances could severely impact citizens.
Referring to past governance, Iftekharuzzaman said political parties, including those currently in power, had themselves suffered from rights violations due to weak and politicised institutions.
He urged them to demonstrate lessons learned by promptly placing the ordinances before parliament for approval.
Referring to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Ordinance, Iftekharuzzaman said, “We urge that the ACC Ordinance be revised in line with the recommendations of the ACC Reform Commission that were included in the July Charter with consensus from all political parties, including BNP, as well as those proposals beyond the July Charter that BNP has supported in writing to the National Consensus Commission. The revised ordinance should be placed in Parliament during the current session. In doing so, we call for the inclusion of the strategically important provision for ‘an independent selection and review committee’ to ensure full independence of the ACC—despite political consensus, this provision was deliberately excluded. We also urge that corruption in the private sector be brought within the scope of the law.”
Calling for the repeal of the Police Commission Ordinance, the TIB Executive Director said, “The ordinance fails to reflect the need for an independent and neutral Police Commission, which is essential to transform the police into a people-friendly and professional force. This contradicts the recommendations and decisions included in the July Charter with consensus from all political parties, including BNP, as proposed in the National Consensus Commission. At the same time, steps must be taken to immediately form an effective Information Commission composed of impartial and competent individuals. The ‘Right to Information (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026’ must be revised—particularly regarding the definition of information, expansion of jurisdiction, and provisions related to appointment, status, and tenure of commissioners—before being placed in Parliament as a bill. In this regard, we strongly demand that all ordinances, including those recommended for suspension, be reviewed with the involvement of relevant experts and stakeholders and enacted into law without delay.”
