The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has completely failed to protect the human rights of citizens, a fact that is now clear to the entire nation. Over the past 15 years, this submissive commission has been entirely ineffective in ensuring citizens’ rights as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Constitution of Bangladesh, and the National Human Rights Commission Act of 2009. Since its inception, the NHRC has remained silent on grave human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
According to Odhikar, a human rights organization, 2,699 citizens have fallen victim to extrajudicial killings over the past decade and a half. Many of these victims were opposition party activists, dissenters, or advocates of free thought. Moreover, between 2009 and 2024, 708 cases of enforced disappearances were reported, perpetrated by law enforcement agencies.
The repressive government has used the controversial Cyber Security Act 2023 as a tool to suppress opposition and dissent. Under its provisions, 1,340 individuals—many of them political figures, journalists, human rights activists, educators, and students—have been unjustly persecuted. The NHRC’s inaction in these cases reflects a tacit endorsement of human rights abuses by the government. Although the NHRC has occasionally reported on deaths in police custody, its data often conflicts with the findings of independent organizations. From 2009 to 2023, 1,048 individuals were reported to have died in custody due to brutal treatment, yet the NHRC has never taken a clear stance to advocate for an independent investigation into such cases.
On Tuesday morning, during a sit-in demonstration in front of the National Press Club, SM Shaikat, Convener of Justice for Bangladesh, sharply criticized this vital state institution. He declared, “The people will decide whether we need a mockery of an institution like the NHRC. Instead of standing with the oppressed, it has chosen to serve the government. Changing individuals is not enough; we need systemic reform. The public must be informed and convinced that the NHRC operates with public funds, for public interest, and on behalf of the people.”
Armanul Haque, Convener of the Dhaka University chapter of the Bangladesh Chattra Federation, stated that structural reform is essential for any meaningful impact of the NHRC. Student representative Asif Reza added, “Without reforms, this failed and irresponsible institution will remain ineffective.” Golam Morshed, a member of Justice for Bangladesh, pointed out that the NHRC has consistently sided with authoritarian regimes against the people. On this Human Rights Day, the coalition demands the establishment of an independent NHRC that is genuinely committed to protecting fundamental human rights.
The program was moderated by Tareqer Rahman, Joint Convener of Justice for Bangladesh, and featured speeches from Irene Akhter Suchana (Executive Member, Ankora), Md. Salim Miah (Deputy Director, SERAC-Bangladesh), Lutfa Pathan (Program Officer, SERAC-Bangladesh), Rafun Nabi (Founder, Youth Force), Montaher Arafat (President, Youth Action for Development), Tashrif Islam (Head, Nirjon Foundation Bangladesh), Md. Monir Hossain (Founder, Vatara Youth Club), Md. Yamin Rahman (Lead Program, Youth Environment and Development Organization), and Rakibul Islam Efti (Secretary, Narayanganj City Youth Council), among others.
Speakers emphasized that enhancing the NHRC’s effectiveness requires ensuring its independence through a transparent appointment process, granting it the authority to investigate and prosecute law enforcement agencies, increasing its budget and workforce, and introducing mechanisms for public hearings and swift complaint resolution, especially for rural and marginalized communities.
Organizations participating in the program included SERAC-Bangladesh, Nirjon Foundation Bangladesh, Uncora, Narayanganj Urban Youth Council, Vatara Youth and Adolescent Club, Youth Action for Development, Youth Environment and Development Organization, and Youth Force.
