Dhaka: The government today approved the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025, granting the Commission the authority to function as Bangladesh's National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under international torture-prevention obligations. The Council of Advisers gave the final approval to the ordinance at its weekly meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, announced at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy that the NHRC has been empowered to act as the NPM under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), to which Bangladesh is a signatory.
The NHRC will operate in accordance with OPCAT and will function as the National Preventive Mechanism, with the authority to independently inspect various places of detention across the country. This empowerment is a significant step in ensuring compliance with international human rights standards and enhancing the country's mechanisms to prevent torture and ill-treatment.
Earlier, on October 30, the Council of Advisers gave in-principle approval to the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.