NHRC remains dormant for almost a year

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), already criticised for being ineffective under successive governments, has remained completely defunct since November 7 last year following the resignation of its chairman and members. For almost a year, the country has been without its only statutory rights watchdog leaving hundreds of complaints unheard and further weakening human rights accountability.

The collapse of the commission came shortly after the fall of the Awami League government during the July Uprising of August 5, 2024. On November 7, officials from a government intelligence agency reportedly stayed the entire day at the NHRC office in Karwan Bazar. By the evening, chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed, full-time member Md Selim Reza and members Biswajit Chanda, Professor Tania Haque, Aminul Islam and Kangjuri Chowdhury tendered their resignations. Another member Kawsar Ahmed had resigned earlier. Since then, no new appointments have been made.

According to the NHRC Act 2009, the commission is to be composed of a chairman, one full-time member and five honorary members. While it has no authority to impose direct punishment but it is mandated to investigate complaints, raise its voice against violations and issue recommendations. However, as human rights lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua observed, "Its presence or absence hardly matters anymore. Among its former chairpersons, only Professor Mizanur Rahman genuinely pushed the government on rights issues. The government's failure to reform or reconstitute the NHRC is frustrating."

The vacuum has had serious consequences. Between January and September this year alone, 319 complaints were lodged by post, online or in person, none of which could be heard. Officials admitted that they have no authority without an active commission. "Official and administrative activities are only going on here now. Hearings on the benches are absent along with investigations since there is no commission," NHRC Public Relations Officer Eusha Rahman told the Daily Observer.