United News of Bangladesh

Three bills, including the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026, were placed in Parliament on Thursday after opposition staged a walk-out from the House. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman placed the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 and the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed tabled the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026. Later, the bills were sent to the respective parliamentary standing committees for scrutiny. The committees were asked to report within two working days. The National Human Rights Commission Bill sought to repeal the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009 and replace it with a new legal framework aimed at creating an effective and independent commission. In his statement of objectives and reasons, the law minister said respect for human rights is a fundamental commitment of the state and that Bangladesh remains committed to international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The proposed commission will consist of a chairman and four commissioners, with at least one woman member. It also proposed giving preference to qualified candidates from minority and disadvantaged communities on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising a university professor, a civil society representative and representatives of those communities. The bill sought to clarify the commission’s jurisdiction and make the complaint process easier. It will also empower the commission to issue interim orders to protect victims from immediate threats and prevent further harm while investigations are continuing. A key provision is the proposed establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) unit, in line with the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. The unit will work to prevent torture, custodial deaths and enforced disappearances. The Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026 proposed life imprisonment for the offence of enforced disappearance. If a victim dies or remains untraced for more than five years, the punishment could be death or life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to Tk 1 crore. The bill defined enforced disappearance as a cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable criminal offence, establishing a legal framework for prevention, prosecution, locating missing persons and protecting victims and their families. In his statement of objectives and reasons, the home minister said the proposed legislation is intended to uphold human rights, human dignity, personal liberty and the rule of law. Courts will be empowered to issue search warrants to trace disappeared persons. The bill also provides for trials in absentia, the acceptance of digital evidence and protection for witnesses, complainants, whistleblowers and victims. Victims and their families will have the right to receive updates on investigations, seek the truth about what happened and learn the whereabouts or fate of the disappeared person. The proposed framework also provides state-funded legal assistance, medical treatment, rehabilitation and compensation through a dedicated fund. Compensation could be recovered from the assets of convicted persons, while the state will meet the cost where recovery is not possible. Spouses and dependent family members will also be allowed to use the disappeared person’s property for maintenance and essential expenses. After five years, a certificate of disappearance could be issued to facilitate inheritance matters. The bill further proposed a central database and international cooperation in cases of enforced disappearance. Both investigations and trials will be required to conclude within a maximum of 120 days. However, the proposed legislation does not establish an independent investigative body. Responsibility for investigating enforced disappearance cases will remain with the police. The Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposed changes to the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 to introduce legal recognition of lifetime usufruct rights. The provision will allow parents, grandparents and other eligible donors to transfer property to specified blood relatives or spouses while retaining the legal right to use and enjoy the property during their lifetime. According to the law minister’s statement of objectives and reasons, the existing law sets out various forms of property transfer but contains no specific provision allowing a donor to make a gift while retaining lifetime enjoyment of the property. Earlier, the opposition staged a walk-out from the House, protesting what it described as the government's move to bypass comprehensive reforms and pursue partial reforms. Opposition lawmakers walked out of the House around 8:05pm as the parliamentary proceedings moved into the legislative phase, including the tabling of the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026.

The opposition on Thursday staged a walk-out from the House on the first day of the third session of the 13th Parliament, protesting what it described as the government's move to bypass comprehensive reforms and pursue partial reforms. Opposition lawmakers walked out of the House around 8:05pm as the parliamentary proceedings moved into the legislative phase, including the tabling of the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026. Before the legislative business began, Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman took the floor on a point of order and raised issues concerning the July Charter, the proposed Constitutional Reform Council and the special committee formed for constitutional amendments. He strongly criticised the failure to constitute the Constitutional Reform Council, saying the opposition will not participate in the proceedings for placing the National Human Rights Commission Bill and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill. Shafiqur then announced the opposition's decision to boycott the bill proceedings and walked out of the House. Opposition lawmakers left Parliament around 8:05pm and later briefed the media on their position. A total of 133 ordinances were promulgated during the tenure of the interim government. In accordance with parliamentary procedure, they were placed before the House at the first sitting of the first session of the 13th Parliament on March 12. The deadline for approving or rejecting the ordinances was April 10. Sixteen ordinances were not converted into bills within the stipulated deadline and consequently lost their legal effect. Another seven ordinances were repealed through bills. The government had said it would further scrutinise the 16 ordinances, including the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance, Police Commission Ordinance and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, and bring fresh bills. Meanwhile, Parliament passed a bill during its first session to repeal three ordinances relating to the National Human Rights Commission and restore the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009. The Cabinet approved the draft Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act 2026 on August 3 and the draft National Human Rights Commission act 2026 on August 10.

The third session of the 13th Parliament turned heated on its opening day on Thursday as opposition lawmakers protested remarks made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed during the question-answer session, triggering loud protests and disrupting proceedings for around 10 minutes. Opposition lawmakers strongly objected to what they described as disparaging remarks by the minister. Although Salahuddin later withdrew the remarks, the situation did not immediately calm. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad repeatedly urged the opposition lawmakers to take their seats and allow the minister to speak. Later, expressing concern over what he described as growing intolerance among lawmakers, the Speaker said he was “somewhat concerned” about the future of Parliament. The incident began when Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam Masud, while asking a supplementary question, alleged that snatching incidents are taking place in broad daylight and that lawmakers are being attacked. He also alleged that opposition leaders and activists are being arrested in false cases, while accused persons in cases involving attacks on opposition members are not being arrested. Masud asked what steps the home minister is taking in this regard. Initially, Salahuddin said he was inattentive during the first minute and asked Masud to repeat his question. After Masud repeated it, the minister said, “Speaking at Shahbagh Square and speaking in Parliament are not the same thing.” The remark immediately drew strong protests from opposition lawmakers, many of whom stood up and began shouting. Earlier, while replying to a question from National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah, Salahuddin said, “I could not understand whether this is a question or a speech at Paltan.” Although some lawmakers mildly objected to that remark, the reaction became much stronger after his response to Masud’s question. Facing the protests, the minister said he did not direct the remark at anyone. As the commotion continued, he told the Speaker, “I am seeking your shelter.” Amid the uproar, the home minister eventually said he was withdrawing his remarks. But the opposition members continued their protest, forcing him to sit down at one point as he could not be heard over the noise. The Speaker repeatedly urged the lawmakers to remain seated and listen to the minister. "Honourable members, that is enough. You have spoken for a long time. Now please sit down. Please take your seats," he was heard saying. Hafiz Uddin also told the opposition members that they will be given an opportunity to speak through their microphones instead of shouting from their seats. "This is not the Awami League's time. Here you can criticise the government as much as you want. Please sit down and wait," he said. The Speaker assured the opposition that he will give the opposition leader the floor after the home minister completed his statement. Salahuddin then resumed speaking, while the opposition lawmakers continued standing and protesting. The Speaker urged him to address the Chair. Amid the continued uproar, Salahuddin said questions about where snatching took place and whether accused persons were arrested should be raised specifically rather than making wholesale remarks. Speaker Hafiz Uddin subsequently gave the floor to Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman. As some treasury bench lawmakers began making comments, Shafiqur responded, "Will you give the speech, or will I? You give it." Addressing the Speaker, he said, "This is ominous. If comments are made like this while I am speaking, then there is no need for me to stand here." The Speaker then asked him to continue. Shafiqur said, "With due respect to the honourable Members of Parliament and the home minister, I want to say he has not used these words for the first time today. Since the Parliament began its session, he has been belittling everyone. I do not understand what he thinks of himself." He further alleged that Salahuddin had previously shown the "audacity" to say in Parliament that he would play the role of a teacher. "We did not come here to become his students. If he wants to teach, let him open a university. Those who like it can enrol there and listen to his lectures," the opposition leader said. He said the home minister "attacked" the opposition twice in the same sitting. "My colleagues think, and I also think, that this is not cultural; this is parliamentary fascism. This should not happen," he said. Demanding that the home minister apologise and that his remarks be expunged from the parliamentary record, Shafiqur said the opposition will remain in the House if those demands are met. "Otherwise, there is no question of sitting here with this humiliation," he said. Opposition lawmakers thumped their desks in support of their leader. Speaker concerned about Parliament's future Later, Speaker Hafiz Uddin said all lawmakers are working to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people in Parliament. He said Parliament cannot function effectively if its Rules of Procedure are not followed. "I am deeply saddened to observe that I am increasingly noticing intolerance among some members," the Speaker said. He reminded lawmakers that Parliament has been elected for five years and that everyone has the right to speak. Hafiz Uddin said the home minister's remarks will be examined and any unparliamentary words will be expunged, if necessary. "But do not take away the freedom of speech. There are twice or three times as many members on this side (the treasury bench) as there are on your (opposition) side. So, the message cannot be silenced by making noise. Let me run the Parliament," he told the opposition. In response, Opposition Leader Shafiqur said the issue was already clear and did not require further examination. He also objected to the Speaker's reference to the numerical strength of the two sides. "I did not like it when, towards the end, you said that there are three times as many members on this side than on that side. I am not in favour of dividing this Parliament by any ratio," he said. "We have said from the beginning that we will all unite for good work and work together. If anything wrong happens, we will protest," Shafiqur said. Later, ruling party lawmaker Md Manirul Haque Chowdhury spoke on a point of order. After his remarks, Speaker Hafiz Uddin expressed concern over the way lawmakers prevented one another from speaking. "Honourable Members of Parliament, I am somewhat concerned about the future of Parliament. Today, I have observed attempts to prevent one another from speaking. This is not a good sign for Parliament," he said. The Speaker said democracy has been achieved after much struggle. “Every Member of Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that this democracy remains intact.”  

The third session of the 13th Parliament, which began on Thursday, will continue until September 10 next. The decision was taken at the fourth meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the current Parliament, held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman and other members of the committee were present at the meeting. The committee discussed allocation of time for conducting parliamentary business during the third session of 2026 and the duration of the session. It decided that the session will be held from 3:00pm every day except government holidays and August 31 and September 1. The session will be prorogued on September 10. The committee authorised the Speaker to make any changes to the session schedule and working days, if necessary. The meeting also discussed the possible dates and duration of parliamentary sessions over the next year. A total of 2,818 questions have been received for the third session, including 142 questions for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and 2,676 for other ministers. Besides, 81 notices have been received under Rule 71 seeking attention to matters of public importance, while 249 notices have been submitted for motions under Rule 131 of the Rules of Procedure. The committee members who attended the meeting included Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Deputy Opposition Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, ATM Azharul Islam, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal also attended the meeting at the special invitation of the Speaker. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan provided secretarial support at the meeting.

The third session of the 13th Parliament, formed through the February 12 election, began on Thursday afternoon after a 43-day recess. The session began at 3pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said, the formation of parliamentary standing committees and passage of key bills will receive top priority during the session. The session may continue for five to 10 days, although its duration could be extended if necessary, he said. The Chief Whip said around six important bills could be placed before the House during the session, including proposed laws concerning property transfers, enforced disappearances and human rights protection. The President on August 11 summoned the parliamentary session, exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Earlier on July 15, the second (budget) session of the current parliament was prorogued after 27 working days. During the session, Parliament passed a Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for 2026-27 fiscal year, which is the first budget under the current BNP government. The parliament passed a total of 11 bills and formed 11 parliamentary committees, including the Special Committee for Constitutional Amendment and nine parliamentary standing committees, during the session. The first session of the 13th Parliament commenced on March 12, 2026.

The 13th parliament is set to go into session on Thursday after a 43-day recess. The third session of the current Parliament, formed through the February-12 election, will begin at 3pm. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said, the formation of parliamentary standing committees and passage of key bills will receive top priority during the session. The session may continue for five to 10 days, although its duration could be extended if necessary, he said. The Chief Whip said around six important bills could be placed before the House during the session, including proposed laws concerning property transfers, enforced disappearances and human rights protection. The President on August 11 summoned the parliamentary session, exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Earlier on July 15, the second (budget) session of the current parliament was prorogued after 27 working days. During the session, Parliament passed a Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for 2026-27 fiscal year, which is the first budget under the current BNP government. The parliament passed a total of 11 bills and formed 11 parliamentary committees, including the Special Committee for Constitutional Amendment and nine parliamentary standing committees, during the session. The first session of the 13th Parliament commenced on March 12, 2026.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed introducing an “education diplomacy” service at Bangladesh missions abroad and setting up a dedicated emergency hotline for women migrant workers. The proposals were made at the first meeting of the committee held with committee chairperson Joharat Adib Chowdhury in the chair. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Foreign State Minister Shama Obaed Islam agreed to the proposals, according to a press release issued after the meeting. The committee also decided to discuss in detail at its next meeting what measures the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can take to prevent irregular migration to the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The meeting described Bangladesh’s achievements and active participation in recent foreign affairs, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visits to Malaysia and China, as manifestations of growing international confidence in the government. The committee was briefed on the organisational structure, mandate and ongoing activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A review of the ministry’s activities and achievements over the past six months was presented, along with its action plan for the next 180 days. Committee members provided various recommendations and opinions aimed at making the ministry’s activities more effective, coordinated and results-oriented. The committee also decided to adopt a unanimous resolution thanking and congratulating Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Committee members and Foreign State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Md Amanullah Aman, Humam Kader Chowdhury, SK Azizul Bari, Saeed Al Noman, ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Sanjida Islam, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Atikur Rahman Mojahid attended the meeting. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman attended as a special invitee at the invitation of the committee chairperson, since he is not a member of parliament. Newly appointed Foreign State Minister Humaiun Kabir was also invited to the meeting but could not attend as he was on a previously scheduled foreign visit. The foreign secretary and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were also present.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs held its first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday. Committee Chairman Md Monirul Haque Chowdhury presided over the meeting. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraq Hossain, and committee members Md Fazlur Rahman, Md Abdul Hannan, Amir Ejaz Khan and Rokeya Begum, all MPs, attended the meeting.  

The current parliament, formed through the February-12 election, will go into third session on August 27 after a 43-day recess following the prorogation of the second session. third session of the 13th Parliament will begin at 3pm on August 27 (Thursday), said Director (Public Relation) of the Parliament Secretariat Monir Hossain on Tuesday.The President has summoned the parliamentary session, exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Earlier on July 15, the second (budget) session of the current parliament was prorogued after 27 working days. During the session, Parliament passed a Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for 2026-27 fiscal year, which is the first budget under the current BNP government. The parliament passed a total of 11 bills and formed 11 parliamentary committees, including the Special Committee for Constitutional Amendment and nine parliamentary standing committees, during the session. The first session of the 13th Parliament commenced on March 12, 2026.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Industries held its first meeting on Thursday, underscoring the need for ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in implementing the ministry’s budget, while calling for the timely completion of development projects. The committee also stressed the proper utilisation of budget allocations, enhancing the competitiveness of the industrial sector, promoting entrepreneurship and improving the quality of public services through coordinated efforts by all agencies under the ministry. The meeting, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, was chaired by committee chairman Md Abul Kalam. Members reviewed the organisational structure of the Ministry of Industries, the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, expenditure plans and the progress of ongoing development activities. Officials informed the meeting that the ministry currently oversees 14 organisations, comprising four corporations, six departments and agencies, two boards and two foundations. These institutions play a key role in industrialisation, industrial management, quality control, technological advancement, skills development and the promotion of cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs). During the budget presentation, the committee was told that the allocation for the Ministry of Industries for FY27 stands at Tk 1,691.90 crore. Of the total allocation, Tk 361.02 crore has been earmarked for operational expenditure, while Tk 1,330.88 crore for development expenditure. The operational budget includes allocations for the ministry’s secretariat, the Office of the Chief Inspector of Boilers, the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), the National Productivity Organisation (NPO), the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC), the Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM) and the Bangladesh Accreditation Board. The committee also reviewed the progress, budget allocations and expenditure plans for ongoing development projects being implemented by the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), BSCIC, BITAC and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). The projects include the establishment of industrial parks and industrial estates, warehouse construction, technology modernisation, laboratory upgrades, expansion of training infrastructure and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s industrial sector. The committee urged all organisations under the ministry to work in a coordinated manner to ensure effective implementation of the budget and development programmes.