'Enforced disappearances prevention and redress bill' cleared for Parliament
- Two Members Walk Out During Standing Committee Meeting
Second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs. Collected photo.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs of the 13th National Parliament has decided to send the "Enforced Disappearances Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026" to Parliament. The decision was finalized on Saturday during the committee's second meeting, chaired by Zainul Abedin at the Parliament Building.
The meeting featured detailed discussions examining the bill aimed at preventing and redressing enforced disappearances, concluding with the resolution to submit the committee's report to Parliament. The committee expressed its appreciation to the ministry concerned for taking the initiative to draft and introduce this critical legislation.
However, during the proceedings, two committee members—Md. Nurul Islam and Md. Abdul Baten—staged a walkout. Commenting on the incident, Committee Chairman Zainul Abedin stated, "As committee members, they have every right to present amendments, offer advice, or express opposition during the meeting. That is the duty of a member. Walking out of a meeting, however, does not align with parliamentary norms."
The country’s overall law and order situation was also evaluated during the meeting. Committee discussions highlighted that no extrajudicial killings had occurred in the country over the past six months. It was further noted that despite attempts to incite mob violence during this period, there were no incidents of political persecution, and law enforcement agencies refrained from using excessive force to maintain law and order.
Additionally, members addressed attempts to shift blame onto the government regarding the abduction of Miraj Sheikh, concluding that such "blame game" politics should be avoided.
The meeting was attended by committee members including Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; Minister of State for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam; Opposition Whips Rokibul Islam and Mia Nuruddin Ahammad Opu; Shirin Sultana; Md. Nurul Islam; and Md. Abdul Baten.
Senior officials present included the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Directors General of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs, heads of relevant agencies, and senior officials from the Parliament Secretariat.
