UNDP offers support for Bangladesh's overall reform process

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has expressed its willingness to extend full cooperation to Bangladesh in its overall reform process, including legal and judicial reforms and constitutional amendments.

The UNDP has shown the keenness when its Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques paid a courtesy call on the Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his ministry office in Bangladesh Secretariat this morning, said a press release of the ministry.

During the meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including constitutional reform, assistance for Rohingya refugees, capacity building of Bangladesh Police, institutional and technological support to combat rumours and misinformation, the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, and the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act.

Rodriques said UNDP is keen to support the current government's priorities and reform agenda.

"We want to support the goals, priorities and action plans of the present government," he said, congratulating Salahuddin Ahmed on his appointment as chairman of the special committee on constitutional amendments.

"If you wish, we are interested in providing the necessary support for this reform process," he added.

The home minister highly appreciated UNDP's longstanding contributions to Bangladesh's socio-economic development and called for further expansion of the partnership in the coming days.

Referring to UNDP's work for forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas), the resident representative said the organisation has been working to improve living conditions inside the camps through environmental protection initiatives, including landslide prevention, and various social development programmes.

The Home Minister said Bangladesh seeks appropriate improvement and modernisation of the existing infrastructure in the Rohingya camps, but does not want any new infrastructure to be built there in the greater national interest.

Rodriques also said UNDP has been providing training to Bangladesh Police on protecting citizens' rights, conflict resolution and other professional skills to strengthen the force's institutional capacity.

The home minister stressed the importance of continued UNDP support in enhancing the professionalism and operational capacity of the police.

On preventing the misuse of information technology, Rodriques said misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are spreading rapidly through digital platforms.

He said UNDP is already working with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and is ready to provide technological and institutional support to ensure prompt remedies for violations.

The minister said Bangladesh has already enacted the Cyber Security Act and suggested UNDP could provide logistical support for its effective implementation.

Replying to a question on the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, Salahuddin Ahmed said the draft National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026 has received final approval from the Cabinet and is expected to be passed in the next session of Parliament.

He said opinions from UNDP, international organisations, foreign missions, development partners, newspaper editors and legal experts had been incorporated while drafting the law, alongside consideration of Bangladesh's social values and religious sentiments.

The minister also said no incidents of enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing have occurred since the current government assumed office.

Sharing his own experience of enforced disappearance, he said the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026 has also received policy approval from the Cabinet.

Highlighting Bangladesh's image abroad, the UNDP resident representative said international media do not always portray the country's actual picture.

He described Bangladesh as a liberal and religiously tolerant country and said UNDP is interested in supporting efforts to promote its positive image internationally.