Rights Group Warns Against Weakening Bangladesh Human Rights Ordinances

A Washington-based advocacy organization, Right to Freedom, has raised concerns over potential changes to two key human rights ordinances in Bangladesh, warning that amendments could undermine protections and expose citizens to future abuses.

 

In a statement released this week, the group said it had long advocated for victims of human rights violations in Bangladesh and had been critical of abuses during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government from 2009 to 2024.

 

The organization noted that following a political transition in August 2024, Bangladesh’s interim government introduced significant reforms aimed at accountability. Among the most notable were the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025 and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance 2025, both of which were developed through consultations with domestic and international stakeholders and welcomed by global rights groups.

 

However, Right to Freedom expressed alarm at reports that the country’s new government is considering allowing the ordinances to lapse or modifying them in ways that could weaken their effectiveness.

“Such changes risk leaving citizens more vulnerable to future abuses,” the statement said, adding that opposition figures and some government voices within Bangladesh have also spoken out against potential revisions.

 

The group emphasized that international partners and human rights organizations have already voiced concerns, urging authorities to preserve the integrity of the ordinances. It also reiterated its support for local human rights defenders, calling for sustained efforts to ensure that past violations are not repeated.

The statement concludes with a call for the Bangladeshi government to uphold reforms that strengthen accountability and protect fundamental rights.