United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the Constitution of Bangladesh does not recognise anything named a ‘Reform Council’, noting that such a council could only be established after a constitutional amendment.  “The honourable President has convened a session of the National Parliament, not a session of any ‘Reform Council,” he told reporters before joining the adjourned sitting of the Jatiya Sangsad. Referring to the proposal mentioned in the July National Charter, Salahuddin said that if a constitutional reform council is to be implemented under that framework, the Constitution must first be amended. He also noted that the legality of the proposed council has already been challenged in court. “The Constitutional validity of the council mentioned under the July National Charter has been challenged, and the court has issued a rule in this regard. The matter is now under judicial consideration,” he said. The Minister said that if such a council is to be formed based on the outcome of a referendum, the Constitution must first be amended through discussion. Fuel rationing withdrawn, normal supply resumes at filling stations “Only after the Constitution is amended and the provision incorporated can steps be taken to form the council and arrange the oath-taking, if necessary,” he added. Responding to another question regarding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the Home Minister said both still hold their primary membership in their respective political parties. “They have not resigned from their parties. Therefore, Article 70 of the Constitution does not apply here,” he said, adding that the provision becomes applicable only when a member resigns from their party.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the issue of forming a Constitutional Reform Council may be discussed on the floor of the Parliament. “The discussion may take place on the floor (of the House). It was not discussed here,” he said when asked about the Constitutional Reform Council. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, the Home Minister said the matter was not discussed in the committee meeting but could be raised during the parliamentary session. The minister said Saturday’s meeting was the first sitting of the Business Advisory Committee, where members discussed the duration of the first session of parliament, the agenda for debates, proposed bills and the time allocation for discussion on the President’s address. According to him, the House will adjourn on March 15. It will remain prorogued from March 16 to March 28 and resume on March 29. The parliamentary session is expected to continue throughout April. Regarding the ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government, the minister said a special parliamentary committee had been formed last Thursday to review them. He said such a committee is traditionally formed before the constitution of ministry-related standing committees. The Law Minister will formally place the matter in parliament, after which the ordinances will be sent to the special committee for scrutiny and review before being presented to the House in the form of reports, he said. Asaduzzaman, the Law Minister, said discussions on the issue would take place in parliament. “We will present our position in parliament. Parliament is the centre of all discussions,” he said in response to a question about the political debate surrounding the Constitutional Reform Council. Mirza Abbas's post-surgery scan report 'good' Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the opposition would present its position during the discussion on the President’s address. “We will explain why we walked out and why we felt it was inappropriate for the President to deliver that speech. We will present our position but will not offer thanks to the President,” he said. On constitutional reform, he added that the opposition leader would raise the issue of the Constitutional Reform Council in parliament at an appropriate time. He also noted that since the referendum verdict favoured constitutional reforms, there had been an expectation that a separate constitutional reform session would be convened alongside the parliamentary session. “The government side had earlier said the matter would be discussed in parliament. We want to hear the government’s position there and will determine our course of action accordingly,” he said. The opposition, he added, would like to see the current parliament transformed into a Constitutional Reform Council as soon as possible.

Security has been strengthened in Dhaka’s diplomatic area, including around the United States Embassy, amid the current global situation, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday. He made the remarks during a courtesy call by US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, at his ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat. In addition to regular police deployment, the minister said, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had been assigned to reinforce security in the Diplomatic Area. Law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to remain on high alert and take necessary precautionary measures, Salahuddin added. During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including law and order, security cooperation, efforts to curb illegal migration, counter-terrorism collaboration, the Special Programme for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR), and the proposed introduction of Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV). Welcoming the ambassador, the minister described the United States as a close partner of Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of security and counter-terrorism. Ambassador Christensen said Washington was keen to further strengthen bilateral ties, and underscored the importance of implementing the SPEAR initiative to enhance security at the US Embassy and across the Diplomatic Area in Dhaka. He also stressed the need for the quick signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), cautioning that dedicated US funding could otherwise be reallocated. In response, the minister said the government was committed to expediting the programme, subject to approval at the highest levels. On migration, the ambassador said the United States planned to introduce the Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV) programme in Bangladesh, adding that its successful implementation could place Bangladesh in the ‘Green Zone’ category under US immigration procedures. He also noted longstanding US support for Bangladesh’s counter-terrorism efforts, saying that since 2010 approximately 30,000 Bangladesh Police personnel – from investigating officers to deputy inspectors general – had received US training and equipment support. He, however, observed that the long-term impact had been limited due to retirements and transfers of trained officers. The home minister said steps would be taken to address the issue and instructed officials to organise a meeting or workshop with relevant stakeholders. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the US Embassy in Dhaka.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the government has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 more politically motivated cases filed over the past 17 years against opposition leaders, party activists and others. Earlier approval was given for withdrawal 1,006 politically motivated cases , he told reporters at the Ministry of Home Affairs . He said cases involving murder, drugs, arms, explosives, and violence against women and children were excluded and only politically motivated cases were considered for withdrawal. The Minister said the government has taken initiatives to withdraw more such cases. Decision on party symbols in local polls to be taken in Parliament: LGRD Minister “Each case will be carefully verified to ensure it is truly political. A committee will be formed to prevent misuse, and a decision will be taken soon,” he said. Responding to journalists’ questions about cases filed after August 5, 2024, Salahuddin Ahmed said some cases involved ordinary and innocent people who were made suspects for personal gain. He said some privileged groups filed such cases which are under review. “We will verify the facts carefully. We are committed to upholding the rule of law and will continue all efforts to ensure no one suffers from unnecessary politically motivated cases,” he said.