Cabinet Clears Draft Human Rights, Bank Resolution Laws

The Cabinet on Monday approved drafts of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026, the Visa Policy 2026 and the Bank Resolution (Amendment) Act, 2026.

The approvals were given at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

National Human Rights Commission Act

The Cabinet gave final approval to the draft National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026, aimed at protecting, promoting and ensuring human rights in Bangladesh.

The Cabinet Division said respecting human rights is a constitutional commitment of the state and one of its key objectives. The new law is also intended to help Bangladesh meet its obligations under international human rights conventions and treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Under the proposed law, the National Human Rights Commission will have a chairman and four commissioners, including at least one woman. They will be appointed based on recommendations from a search committee.

The search committee will include a university professor, a civil society representative and representatives of ethnic or disadvantaged communities. It will also be required to give priority to ethnic communities and disadvantaged groups in recommending members of the Commission.

The proposed law would empower the Commission to conduct effective investigations and issue interim orders to ensure victims’ immediate safety and prevent further harm during investigations.

In line with the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the draft also proposes establishing a National Preventive Mechanism unit to help prevent torture, deaths and enforced disappearances in custody.

Visa Policy 2026

The Cabinet also approved the draft Visa Policy 2026, which seeks to make the entry and exit of foreigners easier, more orderly and secure.

The new policy aims to attract foreign direct investment, businesses and skilled workers while promoting tourism and the hospitality sector. It also seeks to facilitate technology and knowledge transfer, maintain national security and international diplomatic balance, and establish a modern, service-oriented immigration system based on reciprocity.

The policy contains 34 visa categories, compared with 33 under the 2006 policy.

Once implemented, all previous visa-related circulars will be cancelled and replaced by a unified visa framework. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Immigration and Passports and Bangladesh missions abroad will be responsible for implementing the policy.

Bank Resolution Amendment Act

The Cabinet also gave final approval to the draft Bank Resolution (Amendment) Act, 2026, which proposes repealing Article 18(a) of the existing law.

The provision was introduced to allow a market-based alternative to conventional bank resolution measures. It permitted a bank under resolution to continue operating while being restructured to address capital and liquidity shortages, protect depositors and investors, and reduce the government’s financial exposure.

However, no person or institution applied under the provision after meeting all of its requirements. The government therefore decided to repeal the provision through the proposed amendment.

The three draft measures are part of the government’s efforts to strengthen human rights protection, modernise immigration management and improve the framework for resolving troubled banks.