Dhaka: Thirty-one distinguished citizens yesterday expressed “strong anger and condemnation” over parliament’s repeal of several reform ordinances, saying the move ignored public expectations and contradicted government pledges.
In a joint statement, they noted that civil society, along with the people, had long demanded passage of ordinances on the National Human Rights Commission, the Supreme Court Secretariat, Supreme Court judges’ appointment, prevention and remedy of enforced disappearances, and right to information.
They recalled that a special committee of the 13th parliament had recommended passing 98 of 133 ordinances without change, while suggesting repeal of some reform-related ordinances and reintroduction of others later as amended bills.
Parliament on April 9 passed the National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Reinstatement) Bill, the Supreme Court Judges Appointment (Repeal) Bill, and the Supreme Court Secretariat (Repeal) Bill.
The signatories said the move amounted to showing a “thumbs-down to the aspirations of the people of the country.”
They added that revoking ordinances tied to “fundamental reform, the independence of the judiciary, and ensuring human rights” was done “ignoring the people’s demands and despite the strong objection of the opposition party.”
The statement said, “This is contradictory to the current government’s election manifesto and their repeatedly pronounced commitments. We strongly protest this.”
The citizens also criticised recommendations for further scrutiny of the Right to Information (Amendment) Ordinance and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance, calling such moves “not at all desirable”.
They stressed that passing the latter was part of the government’s obligation under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The statement pointed out that the law minister, who was attorney general when the ordinances were passed, had been involved in drafting the Supreme Court Secretariat and Human Rights Commission ordinances.
Against that backdrop, the government’s objection was described as “truly surprising”.
On the Human Rights Commission, they said successive governments had promised to make the body effective but failed.
The existing law, they argued, needed urgent amendment to meet international standards.
Had the ordinance been passed, victims could have received proper redress, and the commission could have acted against human rights violators.
However, since that did not happen, the fear has grown stronger that, as before, the Human Rights Commission may become an ineffective, bureaucratic institution or one dominated by politically loyal individuals, the statement added.
They further noted that the ruling party had pledged in its manifesto to make the Supreme Court Secretariat effective.
Repealing the measure, they cautioned, would undermine judicial independence and restore executive influence over subordinate courts.
The signatories said the 13th parliamentary election was not an ordinary one, but the outcome of a mass uprising that carried a promise to build a discrimination-free state and society after 15 years of misrule.
They urged the government to enact the ordinances through parliament. “Otherwise, there is no doubt that the people will once again become vocal in protest and undertake active programmes.”
Among the signatories are Anu Muhammad, economist and former professor at Jahangirnagar University; Sultana Kamal, veteran human rights activist and founding chairperson of Foundation for Human Rights Culture; Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB; ZI Khan Panna, senior lawyer and chairperson of Ain o Salish Kendra; Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; Shireen Parveen Huq, member of Naripokkho; Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education; and Shamsul Huda, executive director of Association for Land Reform and Development.
