The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Bill, 2026, paving the way for its placement before the Jatiya Sangsad. The decision was made during the committee's second meeting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by committee chairman Zainul Abedin. The committee held detailed discussions on the proposed legislation before deciding to send the bill to Parliament for consideration.
The committee thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for initiating and introducing the bill, describing it as an important step aimed at preventing enforced disappearances and providing remedies to victims. The meeting commenced with recitation from the Holy Quran by National Parliament’s Pesh Imam Hafiz Qari Maulana Mufti Mohammad Abu Raihan.
During the meeting, committee members Md Nurul Islam, MP (Chapainawabganj-3), and Md Abdul Baten, MP (Dhaka-16), walked out. Committee chairman Zainul Abedin emphasized that while members had the opportunity to propose amendments, express opinions, make suggestions, or oppose any proposal during committee proceedings, walking out of a meeting does not fall within parliamentary norms and practices.
The committee was informed that no extrajudicial killing had taken place in the country during the past six months. It was further stated that while there had been attempts to create mobs during the period, no incident of political persecution had occurred. Law enforcement agencies also did not use excessive force while maintaining law and order during the period.
Home Minister and committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Whip Rakibul Islam, Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Shirin Sultana, Md Nurul Islam, and Md Abdul Baten attended the meeting. The Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Inspector General of Police, directors general of departments under the Home Ministry, heads of relevant agencies, senior officials, and officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were also present.
The approval of the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Bill, 2026, is a significant step forward for Bangladesh. Enforced disappearances are a grave human rights violation, often used as a tool of political repression. The bill aims to address this issue by providing a legal framework to prevent such disappearances and offer remedies to victims and their families. This move reflects the government's commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring justice for all citizens.
