(Authentic English Version of Act No. 53 of 2009) The National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009 [14th July, 2009] An Act to establish National Human Rights Commission Whereas in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh the main aim of the State is to protect, promote and ensure human rights; and Whereas it is expedient and necessary to establish a Commission to be called the National Human Rights Commission and make provisions relating thereto for protecting, promoting and ensuring human rights properly; It is hereby enacted as follows : Chapter I Preliminary 1. Short title and commencement. (1) This Act may be called the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009. (2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st September, 2008 2. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, (a) “Commission” means the National Human Rights Commission; (b) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Commission and the person acting as the Chairman of the Commission; (c) “public servant” means the public servant as defined in section 21 of the Penal Code; (d) “Penal Code” means the Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860), (e) “rules” means rules made under this Act; (f ) “human rights” means right to life, right to liberty, right to equality and right to dignity of a person guaranteed by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and such other human rights that are declared in different international human rights instruments ratified by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and are enforceable by the existing courts of Bangladesh; (g) “disciplined force” means the disciplined force mentioned in article 152(1) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; 42