Opposition walks out of Parliament protesting partial reforms

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament leading the walkout on Thursday protesting what they termed as partial reforrms.

Sangsad Bhaban, Aug 27 - The opposition on Thursday staged a walk-out from the House on the first day of the third session of the 13th Parliament, protesting what it described as the government's move to bypass comprehensive reforms and pursue partial reforms.

Opposition lawmakers walked out of the House around 8:05pm as the parliamentary proceedings moved into the legislative phase, including the tabling of the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026 and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill, 2026.

Before the legislative business began, Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman took the floor on a point of order and raised issues concerning the July Charter, the proposed Constitutional Reform Council and the special committee formed for constitutional amendments.

He strongly criticised the failure to constitute the Constitutional Reform Council, saying the opposition will not participate in the proceedings for placing the National Human Rights Commission Bill and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Bill.

Shafiqur then announced the opposition's decision to boycott the bill proceedings and walked out of the House.

Opposition lawmakers left Parliament around 8:05pm and later briefed the media on their position.

A total of 133 ordinances were promulgated during the tenure of the interim government. In accordance with parliamentary procedure, they were placed before the House at the first sitting of the first session of the 13th Parliament on March 12. The deadline for approving or rejecting the ordinances was April 10.

Sixteen ordinances were not converted into bills within the stipulated deadline and consequently lost their legal effect. Another seven ordinances were repealed through bills.

The government had said it would further scrutinise the 16 ordinances, including the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance, Police Commission Ordinance and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, and bring fresh bills.

Meanwhile, Parliament passed a bill during its first session to repeal three ordinances relating to the National Human Rights Commission and restore the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009.

The Cabinet approved the draft Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act 2026 on August 3 and the draft National Human Rights Commission act 2026 on August 10. - UNB