Opposition MPs Refuse to Join Discussions on Enforced Disappearance and NHRC Bills

Opposition members of the parliamentary standing committees on the home and law ministries have boycotted discussions on the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026 and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Bill, 2026.

At a meeting of the Home Ministry’s standing committee, Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Nurul Islam and Abdul Baten walked out before discussions on the enforced disappearance bill began. Committee Chairman Zainul Abedin said members should present their opinions, suggest amendments or express opposition during meetings, adding that walking out was not in line with parliamentary norms.

The committee later discussed the bill and decided to forward its report to Parliament. The meeting also discussed allegations surrounding the abduction of Miraz Sheikh, with members calling for an end to attempts to blame the government without proper evidence.

Meanwhile, opposition members of the Law Ministry’s standing committee announced a boycott of discussions on the NHRC Bill, 2026. They accused the government of repealing the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025 without adequate consultation and claimed that the proposed bill is weaker and does not meet international human rights standards.

The opposition members also objected to the committee being given only two working days to submit its report, arguing that the short deadline prevented meaningful consultation and independent scrutiny. They said the process had effectively reduced the committee to a “rubber stamp.”

Both bills were placed before Parliament on Thursday and subsequently sent to the respective standing committees for scrutiny.