Law
week
Anti-graft drive stumbles on Tac
Thursday's High Court (HC) order declaring the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) illegal has dealt a body blow to the drive against high-profile graft suspects, observed those involved in the anti-corruption efforts.
The caretaker administration is now seriously concerned about the fate of its anti-graft campaign, they added.Tac chief Justice Habibur Rahman Khan has said the commission would not function as long as the HC order remains operative. Meanwhile, most of the graft cases at the special courts have been stayed for several months. Officials concerned said the government measures against corruption have in fact ground to a halt because of the HC stay orders and ruling on Tac. - The Daily Star, November 15, 2008.
Emergency may go after nomination
The government is considering further relaxation of the Emergency Power Rules after finalisation of the election seekers' nomination, said Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday.
“If the environment for election emerges, a total withdrawal of emergency rules is also being considered,' said Zillur while reading out a written statement at a hurriedly called press briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office around 12:45pm. As per the Election Commission (EC) schedule, the last date for filing of nomination papers for the next general elections is November 20; scrutiny of those on November 23 and 24 and the last date of withdrawal of nomination is November 29. A number of amendments were brought to the Representation of People Order (RPO) that include making bank-loan and utility-bill defaulters issue more realistic. The provision of accepting verbal complaints for settlement on election day has been cancelled and the EC's authority to resolve disputes is controlled by a specific process. - The daily Star, November 16,2008.
CPB launches campaign for trail of war criminals
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday launched a month-long mass-awareness campaign in the city, demanding trial of the war criminals, end of fundamentalism and reinstallation of the 1972 constitution.Launching the programme at a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday afternoon, CPB leaders said awareness among people is essential to resist any ill-motivated attempts of the anti-liberation forces and fundamentalists against the culture, tradition, independence and sovereignty of the country.The programmes include holding rallies, meetings, human chains, processions, cultural functions, photo exhibitions, mass oath-taking, painting competitions, giving reception to freedom fighters' families, and observing the Martyred Intellectuals' Day and the Victory Day. - The Daily Star, November 16, 2008.
Interpol initiatives lost on extradition issues
Bangladesh is not getting any help currently from the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in bringing back the fugitive criminals due to lack of extradition treaties with other member countries.Although the Interpol website has showed a list of 86 Bangladeshi fugitive criminals, including three former lawmakers, 11 top terrors and over 20 listed terrors, they are not being arrested and sent back home by the international police.Interpol Dhaka desk sources said around 600 more names of fugitive criminals are being verified for uploading on its website. - The Daily Star, November 16, 2008.
Truth and Accountability Commission set free for a month by a supreme court
The Supreme Court yesterday stayed for one month Thursday's High Court order, which declared the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) and its activities illegal and unconstitutional.
As per the SC order, Tac can now resume its functions halted for three days.
As the SC order breathes life into Tac, its Chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan told The Daily Star last night they would speed up their work to finish all the pending tasks before the stay expires. - The Daily Star, November 17,2008.
Rohingya repatriation in the doldrums
The long-standing Rohingya issue is unlikely to be resolved in near future as Myanmar is not responding to Bangladesh's appeal to take the refugees back and they also don't want to go home. The entire repatriation process is stalled for over three years and the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR) is urging the Bangladesh government not to send the Myanmar citizens back. Rohingyas are a Muslim ethnic minority who live in the northern state of Arakan near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border. In 1978, 1.67 lakh Rohingya refugees crossed Bangladesh border following the Myanmar army's “Operation Nagamin Sit Sin Yay” [Dragon King].- The Daily Star, November 17, 2008.
Trial of Aug 21 grenade attack case begins
Trial of the August 21 grenade attack cases began at a Dhaka court yesterday with deposition of the complainant.Judge Mohammad Masdar Hossain of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 recorded the statement of the complainant, Sub-Inspector Sharif Faruque Ahmed. Later, Advocate Aminul Goni Titu, counsel for one of the accused, cross-examined the complainant.Following a time petition on behalf of accused Arif Hassan Sumon, the court fixed November 23 for next hearing of the case. On that day, the complainant will be cross-examined again. -The Daily Star, November 18, 2008.
RPO, party constitution overlooked
Awami League (AL) has ignored electoral laws and its own constitution to pick up some of its contenders in the upcoming parliamentary polls, rejecting proposals from grassroots level party committees in those constituencies.
As per the Representation of People Order (RPO), the AL Parliamentary Board (ALPB) must select party candidates in the national election from the list prepared by the grassroots committees. Besides complying with the other clauses relating to registration, a political party must have specific provision in its constitution for nomination of candidates from panels jointly prepared by ward, union, thana, upazila and district committees concerned for different constituencies.-The Daily Star, November 18,2008.
Four-party plays on religious sentiment
Legal experts see manoeuvring as violation of electoral code of conduct.
The BNP-led four-party alliance is using religion as a political weaponviolating the electoral code of conduct to force the caretaker government and Election Commission (EC) to reschedule the December 18 parliamentary polls, said legal experts.The alliance's demand for rescheduling the polls so that hajj pilgrims can cast their votes is a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct, which restricts registered parties and candidates to using religion for political or election purpose, they said. - The Daily Star, November 19, 2008.
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