Adviser to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Supradip Chakma on Tuesday urged the community not to take the law into their own hands in Khagrachhari. He assured that the travel ban for tourists will be lifted soon upon discussion with the Home Affairs Adviser. During a peace rally held at the Dighinala upazila Parishad Community Center of the Khagrachhari, the adviser addressed local officials, including Deputy Commissioner Md. Shahiduzzaman and Superintendent of Police Md. Arefin Jewel. Read: Investigation committee formed over Khagrachhari violence; 2 cases filed He emphasized the need for prompt action following the violent incidents on September 19, expressing frustration over the lack of arrests. Supradip pledged to bring those involved in the violence to justice and urged the community to refrain from vigilantism. He visited the violence-hit Dighinala. Read more: Khagrachhari tense following teacher’s lynching; indefinite Section 144 underway

Police don’t make political statements anywhere, rather they are performing their duties to protect law, said Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun on Tuesday. The IGP came up with the comment while responding to a question from reporters that some top police officials are giving political statements ahead of the national election. He was talking to reporters after visiting the ailing officer-in-charge of Habiganj Police Station Ajay Chnadra Deb at National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital. Strict action if anyone tries to deteriorate law and order: IGP About BNP’s allegation that some top police officials are giving political statements, Mamun said, “From my point of view I did not see any policeman giving political statements.” “We perform duties as per the law and it is our duty to deal with the challenges that come while performing duties to maintain law and order and police will do whatever is needed to ensure security of people,” he said. IGP promises stern action against any attempt to efface law and order BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the partisan remarks of top police officials have exposed that the government is going to hold another lopsided national election. “There was a meeting of high-level police officers yesterday (Saturday). An officer's statements in the meeting have gone viral on social media. Hearing his speech, I could not differentiate whether he was a police officer or Shahbag Awami League's publicity secretary,” he said. Turning down BNP’s allegation that police showed some leaders and activists of BNP arrested with old and unused arms, the IGP said, “This allegation is false and baseless. Police took legal action against the BNP men after recovering arms from their possession during the drive.” Three police officials promoted to additional IGP post Asking about the arrest of the mother of a Bangladeshi expatriate in the US over his Facebook post, the IGP said, “I want to make it clear that based on intelligence information that some people gathered at the house of a Nayeb-e-Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami in Khulna with a motive to deteriorate the law and order situation. Three persons including a woman were arrested but later we came to know that the son of the woman gave a post over Sayeedi on his Facebook page.” However, police also seized some digital devices, books and mobile phone sets from their possession, he said.    

The government of Bangladesh has decided to replace the Digital Security Act with Cyber Security Act 2023, in which sections of the existing law will be amended. Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq confirmed the development today (August 07, 2023). Read: ARTICLE 19 concerned by DSA case against RTV reporter The decision came after a meeting of the Cabinet Division chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning, he added. The cabinet approved the draft in principle, the law minister said. The name of the law has been changed, and some sections of the law have been amended, the minister added. Read more: Digital Security Act to be amended: Law Minister The minister further said that after the amendment, there will no longer be any provision for jail term; only the provision of fines will be kept. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is working for the people, he said, adding, "We have taken measures to stop the misuse and abuse of DSA through some amendments." Earlier on May 3, Anisul Huq said that Digital Security Act will not be repealed but necessary amendments will be made. The DSA was enacted on October 8, 2018 with the aim of preventing the spread of sectarianism, extremism, terrorist propaganda, and hatred against religious or ethnic minorities through social media, print media or any other electronic media. However, since its inception, DSA was criticized heavily for its misuse.

Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday (July 23, 2023) warned that action will be taken if anyone tries to break law and create public suffering. “It is quite normal that action will be taken against those who don’t abide by law, and create public suffering,” he said while speaking at a programme on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (Crab) at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Will investigate if any police negligence led to assault on Hero Alom: Home Minister Regarding arrest of BNP leaders and activists, he said those BNP leaders and activists have been arrested who were warranted in different cases. People are not interested to see BNP in power and that’s why they failed to come to power, he said.Referring to BNP’s political programmes, Asaduzzaman said police do not create any obstacle to their programmes anywhere. US wants to see a free, fair, and violence-free election: Home Minister Replying to a question about the death of an activist of BNP in Laxmipur, the Home minister said “After talking to the law enforcers and local administration it was known that the slain person was not an activist of BNP, and the person died due to previous enmity between two groups.” Cyber teams working on leaked  NID info: Home Minister 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 5, 2023) said the Awami League government has established the rule of law in the country, ending the culture of lawlessness that existed during the rule of BNP. The premier made these remarks when the newly elected leaders of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed reporters after the meeting. She congratulated the newly elected leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She said BNP introduced the culture of forced disappearance, killings and lawlessness through the indemnity ordinance proclaimed after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members. Also Read: Plant trees to shield Bangladesh from climate change: PM Hasina Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said did not have right to seek and get justice after the assassination of the Father of the Nation. “It was a gross violation of human rights. Today, we’ve been able to free the country from the phenomenon of not getting justice. The Awami League government always believes in justice,” she said. She said the AL government has made arrangements for people to get justice. “Our government has digitized the judicial system so that people can get justice in a short time without facing sufferings,” she said. The PM said her government has made it (trial proceedings) virtual during the Corona pandemic so that people can get justice in a short time, staying at home. Also Read: Volatile global situation likely to worsen further: PM Hasina tells parliament Noting that the people are suffering due to electricity amid the ongoing heat wave, she said, “We’ve trying out best and taking necessary measures in this regard.” Hasina said Bangladesh has witnessed impressive development thanks to the continuation of democracy for the last 14 and half years in the country. She said Bangladesh has graduated to a developing country due to dedicated efforts of the Awami League government. “We’ve been working to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country,” the PM said. Also Read: PM Hasina slams critics and vows to implement the budget for FY23-24 Law Minister Anisul Huq and AL advisory council member and senior lawyer Yusuf Hossain Humayun were present at the meeting. Among the newly elected leaders of Supreme Court Bar Association, its President Advocate Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir, Secretary Abdun Noor Dulal, vice presidents Mohammad Ali Azzam and Jesmin Sultana, Treasurer Masud Alam Chowdhury, Sr. assistant secretaries A.B.M. Noor-A-Alam (Uzzal) and Mohammad Harun-ur-Rashid, members Mohiuddin Ahmed (Rudra), Shafique Raihan Shawon, Safayet Hossain (Sajeeb), Delowar Hossain, Mohammad Najmul Huda and Suvas Chandra Das were present. In March last, pro-Awami League lawyers panel Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad won all the 14 posts of executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the annual election.

Admission test of Dhaka University's Arts, Social Science and Law faculty, previously known as Kha unit, was held on Saturday in all the eight divisions of the country. The test started at 11 am and concluded at 12:30 pm. Examinees had to answer 60 MCQ questions from Bangla, English and general knowledge and 40 number of written test from Bangla and English within the given 90 minutes. DU Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman visited the arts faculty exam hall at 11 am. He said, " We have arranged the exam of this year following a new procedure. We have renamed the test as Arts, Law and Social Science unit exam." Also read: DU admission test: Restrictions on vehicular movement in RU "Prof. Dr. Abdul Bashir, dean of the arts faculty, has been co-coordinating this exam. A total of 68000 students are sitting for the exam on Dhaka University campus and the remaining students are sitting for the exam from other seven divisional cities," he added. This year, a total of 1,22,886 applicants submitted applications to seat for the test against a total of 2,938 seats.  

UN human rights chief Volker Türk Thursday expressed serious concerns about a proposed law in Italy that could hinder the provision of life-saving assistance by humanitarian search and rescue (SAR) organisations in the Central Mediterranean, resulting in more deaths at sea. “We all watch with horror the plight of those crossing the Mediterranean, and the desire to end that suffering is profound. But this is simply the wrong way to address this humanitarian crisis,” said Türk. “More people in distress will be made to suffer and more lives risk being lost because timely help is not available if this law is passed.” “The law would effectively punish both migrants and those who seek to help them. This penalisation of humanitarian actions would likely deter human rights and humanitarian organisations from doing their crucial work,” the high commissioner added. The proposed law – which was passed by the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament Wednesday and is scheduled to be considered by the Senate next week – also requires humanitarian rescue ships to head to port immediately after each rescue, foregoing additional rescues even if they are in the immediate vicinity of people in distress. In the past, SAR vessels carried out multiple rescue operations over days. At the same time, Italy recently designated distant ports of disembarkation for people rescued at sea – sometimes days sailing away from the original rescue site – making it all the more difficult for vessels who may seek to conduct multiple rescues. “Under international law, a captain is duty-bound to render immediate assistance to people in distress at sea, and states must protect the right to life,” said Türk. “But under this new proposal, a nearby SAR vessel would be obliged to ignore the distress calls of those at sea simply by having already saved others.” Türk added: “Those left stranded at sea would be forced to endure prolonged exposure to the elements and risk losing their lives. Those who survive face increased delays in accessing adequate medical care and rehabilitation, including for victims of torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations.” The high commissioner said the proposed law also risked increased interceptions and returns to Libya – a location the UN Human Rights Office repeatedly said cannot be considered a safe port of disembarkation. Under the proposed law, crews on board the ships must register every person who is planning to ask for international protection. Non-governmental organisations that do not comply with the new rules would be subject to administrative sanctions, and fines and have their vessel seized. The high commissioner urged the government of Italy to withdraw the proposed law, and to consult civil society groups, in particular search and rescue NGOs, to ensure any proposed legislation complies fully with international human rights law, international refugee law, and other applicable legal frameworks, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. Read more: Greece: 3 dead after boat with migrants hits rocks

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday observed that the Brahmanbaria Bar Association has created a black mark in the legal history of Bangladesh. The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil made the observation when three lawyers, including president and secretary of Brahmanbaria Bar Association, appeared before it to explain the allegations of 'indecent behavior' in the courtroom of Brahmanbaria on January 2. Momtaz Uddin Fakir, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association told the High Court that the issue of Brahmanbaria is being peacefully solved as all courts are resuming their activities from today. "Give us 1 month as we have some work to resolve the problem completely,” he added. Replying to this, the High Court said no development has been made. They (Lawyers) are just wasting time and they have made the Brahmanbaria court, a constitutional institution, non-operational. The court is observing everything, it added. Also Read: 21 lawyers should be ashamed of indecent slogans against B'baria Judge, HC observes It is a crime worse than contempt of court, said the HC bench and warned that HC will think about whether they are eligible to practice in Bangladesh or not. No one is above law, be it the president or the member of the Bar Association, said the court adding if the Bar Council does not take any action, the HC will do whatever is necessary. Besides, the High Court fixed February 26 for the next hearing. Supreme Court Bar Association President Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir and secretary Abdun Noor Dulal and Advocate Sayed Ahmed Raza stood for the B’baria lawyers at the court. On January 10, the HC  summoned the 21 lawyers including the Brahmanbaria Bar Association secretary to explain the allegation of contempt of court for chanting indecent slogans against the district judge during the court session. Also Read: Misconduct with B'baria Judge: HC orders removing video The court also issued a rule to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them. Brahmanbaria District and Sessions Judge Sharmin Nigar sent a letter to the Supreme Court in this regard on January 9. Earlier on January 5, the same bench summoned three lawyers including Brahmanbaria Bar Association president on January 17 for misbehaving with the district Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Faruq. Those summoned were Bar Association president Advocate Tanvir Ahmed Bhuiyan, Secretary (Administration) Advocate Md Akkas Ali and Advocate Zubair Islam. The court also issued a rule questioning as to why punitive action should not be taken against them on contempt of court charge. On January 4, district Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Faruq sent a written complaint to the High Court to take action against those involved in this incident. Later, on the instructions of the Chief Justice, the Registrar General of the Supreme Court sent the written complaint of the judge to the HC bench. On January 2, Bar Association president advocate Md Tanvir Bhuiyan, Secretary Advocate Md Akkas Ali and around 10-15 lawyers including Zubair Islam came and rudely asked the judge to leave the courtroom. Advocate Tanvir hurled abusive words at the court, as per the complaint. Meanwhile, the lawyers of Brahmanbaria, who have been boycotting courts since January 4, resumed the judicial proceedings of all courts, except Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1, from today. The decision to resume the court activities was taken at a meeting of the Brahmanbaria Bar Association held on Monday. Earlier on Sunday, a meeting was held at Brahmanbaria Circuit House around 10:30 am in the presence of law minister, Brahmanbaria-3 constituency MP and District unit Awami League President RAM Obaidul Moktadir, law secretary Golam Sarwar and others, where the law minister assured the lawyers of addressing the issue.  

The Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) Saturday organised its 6th LegalTalk seminar on doing business in Bangladesh Barrister Nihad Kabir, senior partner at Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed and Associates, discussed the relevant legal issues and guidelines on several policies that make doing business easier in Bangladesh. BMCCI Senior Vice-President Shabbir Ahmed Khan said the seminar was organised for those who want to understand the law that corresponds with doing business in Bangladesh. The participants got to know about the Competition Act, dispute resolution, and other issues like company law, Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, and technical know-how related to doing business in Bangladesh. Read more: 5th BMCCI LegalTalk seminar on tax law, foreign investment held  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked all to keep vigil so that the country does not get trapped into ‘lawless situation’ again. “Bangladesh must not plunge into that (lawlessness) condition again,” she said while addressing a programme marking the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Bangladesh Supreme Court. Bangladesh Supreme Court organised the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). Hasina recalled that after the assassination of her father, mother, brothers and sister-in-laws she was not allowed to seek justice. “My scope to seek justice was barred through indemnity ordinance,” she said. She said that she does not want that anyone will ever suffer the lawless situation like them. In this connection, she regretted that the persons who was behind all the evil deeds including the assassination of the Father of the Nation and promulgation of indemnity ordinance had been treated as the as the bearers of democracy. “This is really very much disgraceful for independence and an Independent country,” she said. The premier said that Awami League government always tried to enaure that the apex court of the country is run independently. “For that purpose, I handed over the financial management to the Supreme Court which was previously in the hands of the government. We provided separate budget allocation and simultaneously we have prepared policy to separate the judiciary and established permanent Law Commission,” she said. Saying that the lawyers are the part and parcel of the judiciary she urged them to use their merit, creativity, honesty and sincerity for ensuring justice for the justice seekers. She agreed on establishing a Law University in the country which she said is urgently needed. Hasina said that the aim of her life is to esure better living for the people of the country. “I am working on that, there will be rule of justice, people will get justice, people will get better socioeconomic status. People of Bangladesh will live with their heads ever high,” she said. Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique presided over the programme. Read more: Be prepared to pay actual cost of electricity generation: PM Law Minister Anisul Huq, Indian Supreme Court Justice Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah, former chief justice and Chairman of Law Commission ABM Khairul Haque and Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hassan also spoke at the programme. A documentary on Bangladesh Supreme Court was screed at the programme. The prime minister also released commemorative Tk 50 note and commemorative stamp on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee. She unveiled the english version of the constitution of the country and a publication of Supreme Court on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee. PM Hasina also distributed first ever Chief Justice Award among the winners in six categories. The recipients are District and Session Judge Chattogram Zebunnesa, Additional District and Session Judge Tangail Saud Hasan, Joint District and Session Judge Naogaon Khorshed Alam, Senior Assistant Judge Chattogram Reshma Khatun, Assistant Judge Rangpur Hasinur Rahman Milon, and Mymensingh District and Session Judge Court. Read more: Not that easy to overthrow AL govt through movement: PM