National Human Rights Commission Set to Get Arrest Powers

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has introduced five modifications to the draft National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026.

Following detailed scrutiny, the committee has recommended the revised bill for passage in parliament.

The report on the bill is scheduled to be presented in the Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday.

Under the provisions of the report, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is granted the authority to make arrests.

The draft stipulates that during an investigation, if the commission uncovers a cognizable offense—and a case regarding the incident has already been filed at a police station—the commission may arrest the accused and hand them over to the police. 

Furthermore, the commission is empowered to independently investigate any incident, with its inquiry reports admissible as evidence in court.

In alignment with the United Nations anti-torture protocol, a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) unit will be established.

This unit will possess the authority to inspect any location at its discretion—specifically detention centers, holding cells, and safe houses—without requiring prior permission from relevant authorities, thereby removing a previous clause that had drawn widespread criticism.

Additionally, the parliamentary standing committee has recommended making it mandatory to include at least one woman and one representative from ethnic minority communities within the commission.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md. Asaduzzaman originally introduced the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 in parliament on August 27.

The bill was subsequently referred to the relevant parliamentary standing committee for examination, with the Deputy Speaker directing the committee to submit its report within two working days.

The committee thoroughly reviewed and evaluated the bill during a meeting on August 30, concluding with a recommendation to pass the legislation with necessary amendments, which will be tabled in parliament today.

The National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 aims to repeal the existing National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009, and establish a modern legal framework.

The government maintains that the new legislation will transform the commission into a more effective and independent institution while strengthening the overall framework for preventing and remedying human rights violations.

With the bill and its five key amendments presented in parliament today, detailed parliamentary discussions are expected to take place prior to the bill's formal consideration and passage.