Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has welcomed several reforms proposed in the draft National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, 2026, including stricter eligibility criteria for commissioners and stronger accountability measures, but warned that key provisions could undermine the commission's independence and effectiveness.
The observations were made at a consultation titled "Draft National Human Rights Commission Act 2026: Review and Recommendations by Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) and TIB" held at the MIDAS Centre in Dhaka on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the government had sought public opinion on the draft law, which introduces several improvements over previous legislation.
Among the positive changes, he highlighted the disqualification of convicted individuals from serving as NHRC commissioners, mandatory publication of written minutes of commission meetings, greater accountability of investigating officers, and expanded powers for the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).
However, he said several provisions in the draft could weaken the commission's institutional independence.
"The proposal to place the National Human Rights Commission under one or more government ministries is unacceptable," he said. "If enacted in its current form, the law would compromise the commission's independence and its ability to perform its mandate effectively."
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the NHRC should function as an independent institution free from executive control and urged the government to remove any provision placing it under a ministry.
According to TIB, the draft also contradicts the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025, which envisaged the commission as an autonomous body outside government control.
"The law must explicitly state that the National Human Rights Commission is an independent institution and shall not operate under any ministry," he added.
TIB also expressed concern over Section 13 of the draft, saying it does not clearly empower the commission to inspect detention facilities operated by law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, or surveillance bodies, including alleged secret detention centres known as Aynaghar.
The omission, it said, could limit the commission's ability to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances and unlawful detention.
The organisation recommended amending the provision to authorise the commission to conduct regular inspections of all detention facilities run by law enforcement agencies and recommend the closure of any secret or illegal detention centres it identifies.
Criticising Section 20, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the draft unnecessarily restricts the commission's authority to investigate alleged human rights violations by law enforcement personnel.
"The draft leaves the authority for redress with the very institutions against which complaints are made. This must be changed," he said, urging the government to restore the broader investigative powers provided under the 2025 ordinance.
TIB urged policymakers to revise the contentious provisions before finalising the law, saying an independent and empowered National Human Rights Commission is essential for ensuring accountability and protecting human rights in Bangladesh.