Bangladesh stands at a critical turning point after 15 years of authoritarian rule, with the interim government tasked with implementing long-overdue systemic reforms. Central to this transformation is the urgent need to restructure the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)—an institution currently lacking independence, effectiveness, and public trust.
For the third time since its inception, the NHRC received a ‘B’ rating from the UN-accredited Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in April 2025, reflecting its partial compliance with international standards. This failure is rooted in flawed appointment processes dominated by ruling party members, weak investigative powers, lack of jurisdiction over government agencies, and financial dependence on politically controlled state funding.
Critics argue that the NHRC’s past inaction—most notably during the deadly July 2024 protests—highlights its inability to protect citizens or hold authorities accountable. The commission has been inactive since all commissioners resigned in November 2024, leaving a leadership vacuum at a time when accountability is most needed.
Experts call for comprehensive reforms to the NHRC Act of 2009, including:
- Establishing an inclusive and transparent appointment process, modeled after Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Council, involving opposition members and civil society representatives.
- Empowering the NHRC to investigate all public officials, including the police, military, and intelligence agencies.
- Guaranteeing financial independence by legally mandating minimum budgetary allocations from the national treasury.
Implementing these reforms is essential to aligning Bangladesh with the Paris Principles, the global benchmark for human rights institutions. Only a truly independent, empowered NHRC can ensure justice, redress, and accountability—vital foundations for a democratic and human rights–respecting future.
