Parliament Passes Enforced Disappearance and Human Rights Bills After Opposition Walkout

Bangladesh’s parliament passed three major bills on Sunday after opposition lawmakers walked out in protest, including legislation on enforced disappearances and the National Human Rights Commission.

The Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026, and the NHRC Bill, 2026, passed by voice vote despite opposition objections and criticism from rights organisations. The opposition left the chamber before the bills were placed, after opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman announced the walkout.

The enforced disappearance bill puts responsibility for investigating such cases with the police. A designated investigation officer, usually at the rank of sub-inspector, would handle cases filed under the law. An interim-government ordinance had previously given the NHRC investigative authority over enforced disappearance cases.

The NHRC bill also restricts the commission’s ability to investigate allegations of human rights violations by disciplined forces directly. Both rights-related bills were tabled on August 27, prompting another opposition walkout, and the opposition later boycotted discussions in parliamentary standing committees.

The third measure, the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, changes provisions in the century-old Transfer of Property Act. It allows a parent or grandparent who gives property to a child or grandchild, and a spouse who gives property to the other spouse, to retain the right to use and enjoy the property for life. Opposition lawmakers briefly left again during the bill’s passage before returning to the chamber.