Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed disappointment over the government’s decision to cancel ordinances related to the independence of the judiciary and to suspend several others for further review, calling the move a setback for institutional reform and democratic governance.
In a statement on Friday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the decision to cancel two ordinances concerning the appointment of Supreme Court judges and a separate secretariat, along with the suspension of the National Human Rights Commission ordinance, sent a concerning signal about the government’s stance on judicial independence.
He said these ordinances were among 133 issued during the interim government and stood out for making notable progress in strengthening democratic and institutional foundations. According to him, the cancellation and suspension of these key measures raise questions about the government’s commitment to its stated reform agenda.
Referring to the ruling party’s election manifesto, Iftekharuzzaman noted that it had pledged to ensure effective independence of the judiciary and strengthen a separate secretariat under the control of the Supreme Court. He questioned whether the recent decisions reflect that commitment or contradict it.
He also criticized the move in the context of past governance, saying the judiciary had been weakened and used to suppress dissent during what he described as an authoritarian regime. The short interval between that period and the present decisions, he added, is “very disappointing.”
The TIB ED warned that suspending the ordinance on the National Human Rights Commission has created uncertainty over the establishment of an effective and independent rights body. It stressed that the absence of strong institutional safeguards for judicial independence, human rights protection, and prevention of enforced disappearances could have serious consequences for citizens.
The organization said the implications of such gaps are not limited to governance but also affect political stakeholders, noting that most parties have themselves been affected by institutional weaknesses and politicization of key state bodies.
If urged political parties to demonstrate commitment to democratic reforms by ensuring that the ordinances are introduced unchanged as bills in parliament and passed without delay.
He also raised concerns over the suspension of ordinances related to the prevention of enforced disappearances, questioning the rationale behind subjecting them to further review. While acknowledging that legal provisions can be improved, he warned against attempts to weaken the ordinances under the guise of review, including provisions that could provide immunity to those involved or restrict investigations citing national security.
Turning to other reforms, TIB highlighted the ordinance related to the Anti-Corruption Commission, urging that it be aligned with recommendations supported by political consensus, including proposals reflected in the “July Charter” and endorsed at the National Consensus Commission. It specifically called for the inclusion of provisions to establish an independent selection and review committee, which it said had been omitted from the ordinance despite prior agreement.
TIB also criticized the ordinance on the Police Commission, saying it fails to provide for an independent and impartial body capable of transforming the police into a professional, people-friendly force, and is inconsistent with consensus-based recommendations.
Additionally, the organization called for the formation of an effective and non-partisan Information Commission and urged amendments to the Right to Information (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. It recommended revising provisions related to the definition of information, scope of authorities, and the appointment, rank, and tenure of commissioners before presenting it as a bill in parliament.
TIB concluded by demanding that all suspended ordinances be finalized into law through proper consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders, emphasizing that strengthening institutional independence is essential for ensuring accountability and protecting citizens’ rights.
