Three Key Bills Tabled in JS as Opposition Walks Out

Three key bills—the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026; the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026; and the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026—were placed in Parliament on Thursday (27 August), despite an opposition walkout.

The bills were later sent to the respective parliamentary standing committees for further scrutiny. Opposition MPs staged the walkout shortly before the bills were formally tabled, protesting parliamentary procedures and the prioritisation of the House agenda.

Speaking on a point of order, the Leader of the Opposition raised concerns before the bills were presented.

Following the walkout, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed urged the opposition MPs not to boycott Parliament.

Despite the protest, treasury bench leaders said the government remained committed to advancing key legal and human rights reforms and that the committee review process would continue without delay.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman placed the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026, which seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity and investigative powers of the statutory rights watchdog.

Under the proposed law, the commission would comprise a chairperson and four commissioners, with at least one woman among them. It also prioritises qualified candidates from ethnic minority and underprivileged communities based on recommendations from a search committee.

The search committee tasked with reconstituting the commission would include university professors, civil society representatives, and representatives from ethnic minority or underprivileged communities.

The law minister also placed the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing amendments to allow parents to retain lifetime rights to use and occupy property even after transferring ownership to their children.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed placed the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026, seeking to outlaw illegal detention and establish legal mechanisms to ensure accountability.

Meanwhile, several parliamentary standing committees were formed and reconstituted during Thursday’s proceedings as part of efforts to strengthen parliamentary oversight of ministries and government agencies.