NHRC has no chairman, member

The National Human Rights Commission has stopped inquiry into rights violations as it has no chairman or member.

Commission chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque retired on July 1 on attaining the age of 70 years, the maximum age prescribed by the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009.

Permanent member of the commission Nazrul Islam’s tenure expired on August 6 and temporary member Banchhita Chakmas tenure expired on August 8.

Tenure of the rest four temporary members of the commission expired on August 2.

The commission secretariat, however, continued clerical jobs, including official correspondences, library management and in-house training, officials said.

Commission secretary Hironmoy Baroi said that appointment of the commission took place in every three years and there was a gap of about one month each time.

 ‘I cannot say why the appointment of the commission does not take place before expiry of the tenure,’ said Hironmoy, adding, ‘we are expecting new commission will be formed very soon after the Eid [Eid-ul-Azha to be celebrated on August 12].’

According to the Section 7(2) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, the law ministry provides secretarial assistance to a seven-member selection committee headed by the speaker that recommends people for the appointment.

The law minister, Anisul Huq, said that the delay was made due to Eid vacation. ‘We cannot appoint or start the process of appointing anyone unless the term of the incumbent commission expires,’ he said.

‘I will talk to the speaker by a day or two. Let’s see what we can do,’ the minister said.

In May, rights activists and foreign diplomats in Dhaka called on the government for an effective civil society engagement in the appointment of chairman and members of the commission.

Foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka met speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury on May 21 and law minister Anisul Huq on May 19 to discuss the need for a clear, transparent and participatory selection process that might promote the independence of and public confidence in the commission.

The United Nations resident coordinator, Mia Seppo, later tweeted that international community met the speaker and the law minister calling for ‘an independent and effective National Human Rights Commission.’

Rights activist Sultana Kamal, also the Transparency International Bangladesh chairperson, said that the selection of the commission chairman and members were very crucial and it should be transparent to find out people capable of protecting human rights.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net