Human rights in Bangladesh are protected as fundamental rights in Part III of the Constitution of Bangladesh. However, constitutional and legal experts believe that many laws in the country need reform to enforce fundamental rights and reflect 21st century democratic values.
Reforms were proposed in 2017 and included parliamentary supremacy, judicial independence, separation of powers, repealing laws that regulate press freedom, and disbanding security agencies that violate civil liberties.
Although Bangladesh has Islam as its state religion and constitutional mention of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists; The political system is modeled as a secular democracy. Governments generally respect freedom of religion, which is a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s constitution. However, police have been slow to respond to and investigate attacks against minorities, opposition activists and supporters, and have brutally suppressed lawful protests against the government. According to Human Rights Watch, over five hundred people have disappeared in the past ten years. In southeastern Bangladesh, Chittagong Hill Tracts remain a military zone due to historical insurgency. Bangladesh’s tribals have demanded constitutional recognition.
The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. According to Mizanur Rahman, 70% of human rights abuse complaints are against law enforcement agencies (2015). Torture and enforced disappearances are widely employed by the Bangladeshi security forces. In recent years, freedom of speech and media freedom have been suppressed by the government through laws regulating newspapers, TV channels and the Internet. Members of Parliament elected in Parliament do not have the freedom to vote. The future of elections is a matter of public concern, with opposition parties alleging that free and fair elections are not possible under the current government. The 2015 local government elections were marred by widespread allegations of vote rigging. Bangladesh continues to make progress in its pursuit of labor rights, although the journey is still on. The presence of active trade unions, the reduction of child labor and the establishment of labor courts and foundations exemplify the significant progress Bangladesh has made in protecting labor rights.
According to Professor M Nazrul Islam Tamiji, Chairman of National Human Rights Society Bangladesh, we can ensure human rights through the momentum of the liberation war.
Death penalty remains legal in Bangladesh. Workers’ rights are affected by restrictions on trade unions in special economic zones. The government has often targeted trade union leaders for persecution. The right to enjoy their own culture, to practice and practice their own religion and to use their own language both in private and public.
