Functions
- Apart from entertaining complaints the NHRC can exercise the power suo motu.
- The NHRC can ask for report from the Disciplinary Forces or the Law Enforcing Agencies or any of its members on the allegation of human rights violation.
- The NHRC can visit any jail or correctional centers, custody and such other places and make recommendation to the government thereon for the development of those places and conditions.
- The Commission can inquire and report a matter being referenced by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on a writ petition heard by it.
- The Commission enjoys the power of a civil court in case of any inquiry or investigation.
- The Commission is empowered to appoint mediators according to established rules to dispose of a dispute relating to violation of human rights.
- In case of non-compliance of the reports and recommendations the Commission can bring the matter to the notice of the President who shall cause it to be laid before parliament.
- The Commission can ask for information from governmental authorities on any alleged violation of human rights and the government is required to give the information. In case of failure to provide information the Commission can start to work at its own initiative.
- Even the Commission itself can lodge application to the High Court Division if the case fits with the conditions of filing writ petitions under the constitution.
- Apart from suggesting legal remedy, the commission is endowed with the power to recommend the government to provide temporary grant to the aggrieved person or his family.
- The commission can publish the inquiry report fully or partially at its own satisfaction.
- The witnesses before the Commission are protected for their deposition.
Responsibilities
The NHRC follows the comprehensive mandate outlined in the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009. The cruxes of the functions of the Commission are: investigation and inquiry, recommendation, legal aid and human rights advocacy, research and training on human rights laws, norms and practices. To elaborate, in order to promote and protect human rights the Commission performs the following functions:
- Developing human rights policies through conducting human rights research and issuing legal and administrative policy recommendations;
- Analyzing laws, policies and practices from a human rights perspective;
- Investigating human rights violation cases and providing access to justice;
- Promoting human rights education and raising public awareness about perception of human rights;