Bangladesh - August 2025

On 28 August, the interim government’s Advisory Council granted ‘approval in principle’ to the draft Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance 2025. The draft ordinance proposes harsher penalties for enforced disappearances and empowers the National Human Rights Commission to investigate these cases, rather than law enforcement agencies.  The ordinance also establishes a special tribunal to handle the prosecutions and trials submitted by the Commission. Other provisions include requiring trials to be completed within 120 days of complaints and offering compensation and legal assistance to victims and their families. While rights experts welcome many provisions, concerns remain regarding the inclusion of the death penalty as a maximum punishment for offenders and the allowance for trials to be held in absentia. The proposed ordinance awaits further discussions before receiving final approval.

Sources: The Daily Star, Fortify Rights, The Financial Express