Who will be the new NHRC chief?

Speculations are rife over who is going to succeed Prof. Dr Mizanur Rahman as the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) chairman. Prof. Rahman’s term ended yesterday. Names have emerged from different quarters as his possible successor, and some people are also actively lobbying for the post of chairman and full-time member of the human rights watchdog. The Cabinet Division has prepared a primary list of five eminent citizens from different fields—including university teachers and social workers—for the post of NHRC chief, sources in the Cabinet Division said. They are—Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University and former chairman of University Grants Commission, Prof. Dr AK Azad Chowdhury; another Prof Emeritus of Dhaka University, Dr Anisuzzaman; former director-general of Bangla Academy, Prof. Dr Syed Anwar Hossain; writer and teacher, Prof. Dr Muntasir Mamun; and chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad.
Among them, Prof. Dr AK Azad Chowdhury, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, is likely to be appointed as the chairman. The post of the NHRC chairman is equivalent to the status of a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, as per the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009.
The Cabinet Division has also shortlisted five names for the position of a full-time member. They are—former senior secretary of Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, Md Ashraful Mokbul; former secretary of defence ministry, Khandaker M Asaduzzaman; former Public Service Commission chairman, Ikram Ahmed; and journalist and former director-general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kamal Lohani.
Only one person from this list will be selected as a full-time member. The status of a full-time member is equivalent to a judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, as per the National Human Rights Commission Act.
There are five posts of honorary members in the NHRC. For appointing the five honorary members, nine eminent citizens from different fields—including journalism and education—and ethnic groups, have been shortlisted by the Cabinet Division. Among them are the editor of Vorer Kagoj, Shyamal Dutta; chief executive officer of Ekushey Television, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul; senior journalist Abed Khan; and former teacher of Dhaka University, Meghna Guha Thakurta.
Talking to The Independent, a senior Cabinet Division official said, on condition of anonymity, that the lists would be placed before the meeting of the selection committee, headed by the speaker of the Parliament. The committee comprises ministers of law and home affairs, the chairman of Law Commission, cabinet secretary, and two members of parliament selected by the speaker. “The selection committee will shortlist and recommend names for the posts of chairman, full-time member, and the honorary members of the NHRC, and the names will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking approval from the Prime Minister,” he said, adding, “The President will finally give appointments for the posts at the human rights watchdog.” The tenure for all the posts is three years.

 

Who will be the new NHRC chief?

Speculations are rife over who is going to succeed Prof. Dr Mizanur Rahman as the National Human Rights Commissions (NHRC) chairman. Prof. Rahmans term ended yesterday. Names have emerged from different quarters as his possible successor, and some people are also actively lobbying for the post of chairman and full-time member of the human rights watchdog. The Cabinet Division has prepared a primary list of five eminent citizens from different fieldsincluding university teachers and social workersfor the post of NHRC chief, sources in the Cabinet Division said. They areProfessor Emeritus of Dhaka University and former chairman of University Grants Commission, Prof. Dr AK Azad Chowdhury; another Prof Emeritus of Dhaka University, Dr Anisuzzaman; former director-general of Bangla Academy, Prof. Dr Syed Anwar Hossain; writer and teacher, Prof. Dr Muntasir Mamun; and chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad. Among them, Prof. Dr AK Azad Chowdhury, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, is likely to be appointed as the chairman. The post of the NHRC chairman is equivalent to the status of a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, as per the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009. The Cabinet Division has also shortlisted five names for the position of a full-time member. They areformer senior secretary of Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, Md Ashraful Mokbul; former secretary of defence ministry, Khandaker M Asaduzzaman; former Public Service Commission chairman, Ikram Ahmed; and journalist and former director-general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kamal Lohani. Only one person from this list will be selected as a full-time member. The status of a full-time member is equivalent to a judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, as per the National Human Rights Commission Act. There are five posts of honorary members in the NHRC. For appointing the five honorary members, nine eminent citizens from different fieldsincluding journalism and educationand ethnic groups, have been shortlisted by the Cabinet Division. Among them are the editor of Vorer Kagoj, Shyamal Dutta; chief executive officer of Ekushey Television, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul; senior journalist Abed Khan; and former teacher of Dhaka University, Meghna Guha Thakurta. Talking to The Independent, a senior Cabinet Division official said, on condition of anonymity, that the lists would be placed before the meeting of the selection committee, headed by the speaker of the Parliament. The committee comprises ministers of law and home affairs, the chairman of Law Commission, cabinet secretary, and two members of parliament selected by the speaker. The selection committee will shortlist and recommend names for the posts of chairman, full-time member, and the honorary members of the NHRC, and the names will be sent to the Prime Ministers Office, seeking approval from the Prime Minister, he said, adding, The President will finally give appointments for the posts at the human rights watchdog. The tenure for all the posts is three years.