Opposition lawmakers on Sunday boycotted discussion on National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026, alleging that the government is pushing the legislation through a “one-sided” process by ignoring views of political parties, rights organisations and civil society.

The opposition MPs boycotted the discussion on the bill at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. 

Bills on human rights, enforced disappearance placed in Parliament

The committee held its third meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 on its agenda.

Jamaat-e-Islami parliamentary spokesperson Md Najibur Rahman said the opposition would not participate in any stage of the passage of the bill, which he described as inconsistent with international human rights conventions and aimed at weakening the National Human Rights Commission.

However, they participated in the discussion on the Property Transfer Bill at the same meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the tunnel of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban after leaving the meeting, Najibur Rahman said an initiative has been taken during the interim government to reform the law relating to human rights with the objective of strengthening the legal framework.

“But instead of strengthening the existing law, provisions have been included in the proposed bill to further weaken the National Human Rights Commission,” he alleged.

He also criticised the decision to ask the parliamentary committee to submit its report on the bill within only two working days.

“The hands and feet of the parliamentary standing committee have been tied before the bill is placed in Parliament. It has been asked to submit a report within just two days. This does not leave the committee members enough scope to express their independent opinions,” he said.

Najibur Rahman alleged that the committee has effectively been reduced to a “rubber stamp”, making it impossible for the opposition to remain involved in the process.

Calling the proposed legislation a “controversial” and “black law”, he said the bill did not provide adequate protection for citizens if their human rights were violated by law enforcement agencies.

He said the opposition believed parliamentary committees should have sufficient independence to scrutinise legislation and express their views freely.

Najibur Rahman further alleged that there were instances in the past when government lawmakers attempted to give independent opinions or submit notes of dissent in parliamentary committees, but were subsequently asked at the highest level of government to withdraw those notes.

“We consider this a process of parliamentary fascism,” he said.

He said turning parliamentary committees into rubber stamps is not good for democracy and could open the way for authoritarian practices.

The National Human Rights Commission Act was enacted in 2009.

During the tenure of the interim government, the law was amended and a new ordinance was issued. The 13th Parliament subsequently repealed that ordinance and restored the 2009 law.

On Thursday, Law Minister Asaduzzaman placed the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026, in Parliament seeking to repeal the 2009 Act and enact a new law.

The bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs with instructions to submit its report within two working days.

Najibur Rahman said the opposition would also boycott discussion on the National Human Rights Bill when it is taken up in Parliament.