Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Sunday that 16 out of 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period have not yet been placed before Parliament as they require "further scrutiny", pushing back against criticism that the measures had been quietly abandoned.
Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, the minister rejected claims "circulated by a section" that the government had "dropped" the ordinances.
"There has been no lack of transparency," he said, emphasising that the need for additional review had been clearly stated in the preambles of the relevant legislative proposals.
The briefing was also attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, who echoed the government's position that due process was being followed.
According to the law minister, 110 ordinances were converted into 91 bills and subsequently passed by Parliament. Of these, 97 were adopted without change, while 13 were amended before passage.
Seven others were introduced as repeal bills, effectively nullifying earlier provisions while outlining reasons and commitments for future review.
The remaining 16 ordinances, he said, involve complex legal and institutional questions that warrant broader consultation.
Among the areas requiring further examination are ordinances related to enforced disappearances and the structure of oversight bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission.
Asaduzzaman cited ambiguities in the legal definition and adjudication process concerning enforced disappearances, warning that unresolved issues could create complications in future judicial proceedings.
He also pointed to gaps in the Human Rights Commission ordinance, particularly regarding investigative authority, penalties and compensation mechanisms.
The government has initiated consultations with stakeholders, he added, and is expected to convene formal discussions on reforms to the human rights framework after mid-May.
Defending the government's legislative record, the minister drew a comparison with the 2007-2009 caretaker administration, during which only 54 of 122 ordinances were eventually enacted into law.
"We have demonstrated both intent and a structured plan," he said, suggesting that the current government has been more effective in converting ordinances into formal legislation.
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