The Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, held its weekly meeting on Thursday and approved several key decisions, including two ordinances and establishment of a new Bangladesh embassy in Switzerland.

According to the decisions taken at the meeting, the Advisory Council gave policy-level and final approval to the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearances (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.

Under the ordinance, if a person remains missing for at least five years and does not return alive, the tribunal will be empowered to formally declare the individual as “disappeared.”

The government will be able to appoint the required number of public prosecutors for the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Tribunal in line with recommendations from National Human Rights Commission.
Victims or complainants will also be allowed to appoint lawyers at their own initiative, while the spouse or dependent family members of a disappeared person may use the person’s property without prior approval from the commission.

The meeting also approved, at both policy and final stages, the draft Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Conservation Ordinance 2025.
The haor ecosystem of Bangladesh, described as rare and unique globally, is facing severe threats due to unplanned dam construction obstructing rivers and waterways, indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals and pesticides and the adverse impact of tourism.
The ordinance aims to address the lack of a robust legal framework for protecting wetlands.
Under the ordinance, the specific responsibilities, authority and jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development Directorate will be clearly defined.

Provisions have been included to issue protection orders to conserve biodiversity, the environment, ecology and ecosystems of haor and wetland areas, as well as to declare protected haor and wetland zones.

The ordinance outlines prohibited activities in these areas, classifies violations as punishable offences, and specifies penalties.It also makes it mandatory to seek the directorate’s opinion; subject to defined exceptions, when implementing development projects in haor and wetland areas.

The ordinance further empowers authorities to formulate rules, regulations and guidelines to ensure coordination with relevant agencies and meaningful involvement of local stakeholders in conservation efforts.
In another major decision, the Advisory Council approved a proposal to establish a new Bangladesh embassy in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
Since independence, Bangladesh has maintained a permanent mission in Geneva, which has been handling both diplomatic and UN-related responsibilities due to the absence of an embassy in Bern, where most countries have their diplomatic missions.

Considering Switzerland’s role as an important development partner and strategic ally, the council approved the establishment of the embassy.Initially, the mission will operate with the appointment of an ambassador, a first secretary and supporting staff.Bangladesh currently operates 82 missions worldwide.
The meeting also discussed the health condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline activist of the July mass uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, whose condition remains critical.

The council was informed that Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has been in regular contact with the Chief Adviser regarding Hadi’s treatment.A senior official from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived in Singapore on Wednesday and is directly overseeing his medical care.
Additionally, the Advisory Council expressed special appreciation to Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for organising this year’s Victory Day celebrations in a dignified and orderly manner.