Form rule for disposing of human rights violation complaints: High Court to NHRC

The High Court has ordered the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh to form a rule for disposing of human rights violation complaints.

The court also asked the commission to include civil society and human rights activists in the formation of the rule. 

As a quasi-judicial body, the commission can ask for information from law enforcement agencies or any government employee, said the court. 

The High Court also maintained that if the government does not comply with the directives of the commission, it can even go to the higher court. 

Therefore, the court termed it untrue that the commission's legal powers were limited.

The High Court bench of Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Rajik Al Jalil passed the order on Monday, while delivering a verdict on a writ petition filed over the torture of domestic worker Khadiza in Mirpur in 2013.

In the verdict, the court also asked the commission to resolve Khadiza's complaints within six months. The verdict also gave the commission a seven-point instruction. 

Barrister Abdul Halim appeared for the writ petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur Rahman represented the state. 

Human rights organisation Children Charity Foundation filed the writ petition challenging the National Human Rights Commission's inaction regarding Khadiza's complaints. 

On January 10, the High Court issued a ruling, asking why the commission's failure to bring proper redress regarding the human rights violation should not be termed illegal.

At the same time, the court ordered the home secretary to submit a report within a month explaining why no steps were taken back in 2013 regarding Khadiza's torture in the capital's Mirpur.