Former minister and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon raised the issue taking floor on the point of order in the House.
He demanded the Foreign Minister make a statement under the section 300 of the rules of procedure in parliament over the ‘agreement’ and urged the Speaker to pass a ruling on the issue from the constitutional aspect.
Referring to a BBC report, Menon said Bangladesh was to sign a ‘defence deal’ with Saudi Arabia under which Bangladesh will deploy 1,800 troops along the Yemen border.
“The Foreign Ministry neither admitted it nor denied it… but we’ve come to know that the signing of the deal is now at the final stage, and we must examine whether the article 25 of our Constitution is being violated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia, aiming to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.
Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh and Deputy Chief of Staff of Saudi Armed Forces Lt Gen Mutlaqbin Salim Al-azaima singed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at the Saudi Ministry of Defence in Riyadh, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh.
Based on the existing friendly relations between the two countries and following the foreign policy, the MoU was signed to enhance international peace and stability.
Under the MoU, the two countries will help each other in the fields of military training, practice and education, military information and intelligence, defence industry, supply and maintenance, visit and exchange of experiences, military treatment and research, sports, social and cultural activities, science and technology, exchange of military members, marine security and cooperation to stop piracy.
Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh will be able to take implementation programme to increase cooperation in the defence sector and play an effective role in implementing the MoU, the MoU said.
Menon said the state shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter as per the Article 25 of the Constitution.
“We must review the deal from two aspects -- whether the deployment of troops (under the deal) is related to the UN and pertinent to its charter and what will be the political image of having the presence of our army aboard?” he said.
Mentioning that the Saudi-led coalition along with the USA is regularly carrying out attacks on Yemen to suppress Houthi rebels for its own interest, the Workers Party chief said the UN Secretary General has described the Yemen situation as the worst humanitarian disaster in the world.
“Under such a situation, our army will remove mines from there. For whose interest our army will sacrifice their lives in the name of clearing mines which Bangladesh Constitution doesn’t allow?” he said.
Menon also feared that this will lead to conflicting relations (with some countries) when Bangladeshi troops will be deployed along the Yemen border. ”Our Constitution says Bangladesh won’t be part of any conflicting matter.”
Supporting Menon, Jatiya Party MP Imam questioned the justification of signing the deal bypassing parliament.
Stating that parliament is the main centre for discussing any issue, he said, “What will be problem if it was discussed here?”