Introduction 1. Bangladesh has ratified eight out of nine core human rights treaties. As a result of such ratification, Bangladesh entails obligation under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights enumerated in those treaties. Under the human rights treaties, Bangladesh has obligation to submit regular reports to the relevant treaty bodies on measures taken by it regarding implementation of treaties. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), 1966 mainly deals with implementation of civil and political rights in national jurisdiction. Bangladesh has acceded to the ICCPR in 2000 and accordingly, Bangladesh has obligation to submit regular reports to the Human Rights Committee. As a part of this obligation, the Government of Bangladesh has submitted initial report to the Human Rights Committee under article 40 of the ICCPR, 1966 on 19 June 2015. 2. The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh (NHRC) established under the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009 is a statutory independent body to protect and promote human rights in Bangladesh. According to National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009, one of the key functions of the NHRC is ‘To research or study treaties and other international instruments on human rights and to make recommendations to the government for their effective implementation.” As a part of its mandate, the NHRC is submitting this report on the status of implementation of the ICCPR in Bangladesh. However, the NHRC views that the Paris Principles 1993 has not been exhaustively adhered to. The top administrative positions is still been seconded from the Government. Financial independence has not been ensured even not in accordance with the founding Act. And recruitment of officials is still subject to bureaucratic process that lies with the support of the Government. NHRC has already submitted its proposal to the concerned ministries to comply with the Paris Principles. 3. This report aims at analysis of implementation status of ICCPR in Bangladesh looking at the most relevant articles and critical assessment of the existing situation of enjoyment of civil and political rights in Bangladesh. It also identifies gaps and main barriers in implementation of ICCPR in Bangladesh. While the state report mainly focuses on law and policies on the ICCPR, this alternative report highlights supplements the State report and in some cases, challenge the issues raised in the state report. 4. NHRC believes that this report will serve as a valuable source for the Independent Experts who analyses the implementation of the ICCPR in Bangladesh’s context. This report evaluates the situation as objectively as possible and to take a critical look at the government action to prevent the violation of civil and political rights in the country. It also highlights concerns and challenges in implementation of civil and political rights in Bangladesh. Finally, it makes recommendations for effective implementation of the ICCPR. 5. This report mainly takes an analytical approach. The report is based on extensive literature review of primary and secondary sources. The report has been prepared in the light of the guidelines of the UN Human Rights Committee on shadow or alternative report. 6. When a state becomes a party to the ICCPR, it undertakes to immediately guarantee to all individuals in its territory or under its jurisdiction, without any discrimination, all the rights 4