TIB slams bid to repeal judiciary ordinances, suspend NHRC ordinance

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep disappointment over the recommendation to repeal two ordinances relating to the appointment of Supreme Court judges and a separate secretariat, and to suspend the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance “in the name of review”.

Calling for these ordinances to be placed as bills in their original form, the organisation has also urged that the remaining ordinances recommended for suspension-including those relating to the Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Commission, and Right to Information-be reviewed with the involvement of relevant stakeholders and immediately enacted into laws.

In a statement issued on Friday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Among the 133 ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the interim government, a few marked significant progress in strengthening the country's democratic and institutional foundations. These include the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, and the Human Rights Commission Ordinance."

"What message does the government intend to convey by repealing and suspending these three ordinances?," questioned Dr Iftekharuzzaman.

The ruling party's election manifesto pledged to "ensure effective independence of the judiciary… and further strengthen a separate secretariat under the control of the Supreme Court for judicial reform," he said.

He further said, "Is this the reflection of that commitment? Or, considering the circumstances, was the ruling party's pledge on judicial independence included in its election manifesto merely as rhetoric, intended to influence public opinion?"

"It is highly disappointing that, within such a short span of time, the government appears to have forgotten how compromised the judiciary had become during the previous authoritarian regime, and how it was used as a tool to suppress dissent," he added.

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