Law
week
BNP to tell UN of 'torture' on SQ Chy
BNP will report to international communities including the United Nations about the “police torture” on BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said. “When an MP was held without an arrest warrant and lawmakers were barred at the VIP lounge of an airport from seeing off a three-time prime minister [Khaleda Zia], it does not seem that the country has democracy,” he said after visiting Salauddin's family members at their Dhanmondi residence. Salauddin, a standing committee member, was arrested on December 16 on charges of planning and financing an arson attack on a car in Moghbazar on June 26 that left one person dead. -The Daily Star, December 22, 2010.
Afghan police move to free kidnapped Bangladeshis
The police in northern Afghanistan have launched a drive to rescue the five Bangladeshis who were abducted by local criminals on Friday night, December 17, 2010. Foreign ministry officials said the Afghan authorities have also taken necessary steps to send back the body of Bangladeshi engineer Kazi Altaf Hossain, who was killed during the abduction. Altaf was killed and seven workers held hostage on December 17 when Afghan gunmen stormed a remote road-building camp run by a South Korean construction firm at Mazar-I-Sharif, which lies between the northern Afghan provinces of Balkh and Samangan. -The Daily Star, December 22, 2010.
Ansar seeks arrest power, renaming
Bangladesh Ansar seeks authority to arrest anybody without warrant and believes such power would increase its efficiency in playing an effective role to ensure public safety.
The force sought more authority in a proposed law titled "Ansar Battalion Act, 2010" which has been sent to the home ministry. The police meanwhile observed that such powers for Ansar would interfere with their activities and weaken their authority. Drafted by the Ansar high-ups, the proposed legislation also seeks to rename the battalion "Public Security Force" (PSF), Maj Gen Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, director general of Ansar, told The Daily Star. In section-8 of the draft law the Ansar also seeks some powers which are usually vested in the police. -The Daily Star, December 21, 2010.
Graft alleged in fire equipment purchase
A parliamentary sub-committee has recently revealed anomalies and corruption of the fire department in awarding international tenders for buying fire-fighting equipment. The sub-committee on home ministry in its report on November 28 alleged that the director general (DG) of Fire Service and Civil Defence and the members of tender evaluation team unlawfully awarded tenders to two companies causing a huge loss. The fire service authorities floated international tenders on November 10, 2009, January 28 and April 8 of 2010 for purchasing nine fire engines and rescue vehicles and 1,578 sets of fire-fighter suits at a cost of around Tk 25 crore. -The Daily Star, December 21, 2010.
SQ Chy now booked for war crimes
Detained BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was shown arrested for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal. A three-member judges' panel headed by Justice Nizamul Huq directed the authorities concerned to produce Salauddin before the court on December 30 on the charges. The tribunal also comprised Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and Justice AKM Zaheer Ahmed. It passed the order after hearing a petition filed on December 15 by war crimes investigation agency for Salauddin's arrest. -The Daily Star, December 20, 2010.
Tough anti-trafficking law in the offing
Human trafficking and related crimes will be considered non-bailable and non-compoundable offence and tried in the speedy trial tribunals to be set up in all districts and metropolitan cities, says a draft anti-trafficking law. The persons convicted of the crimes would be punished with a minimum of eight years rigorous imprisonment plus fines and a maximum of life sentence. The proposed Human Trafficking (Prevention and Protection) Act-2011 also provides for setting up National Human Trafficking Prevention Authority (NHTPA) to pursue human trafficking cases and take measures to combat the crime. The tribunals will take into cognisance the cases against government officials even if the complainants have not taken the government approval to file those, says the draft. -The Daily Star, December 20, 2010.
6-month maternity leave from Jan
Working women are likely to enjoy six months of paid maternity leave from January 2011, said a high official of the Ministry of Finance. The government will immediately issue a gazette notification to implement the maternity leave, which is now under consideration of the president, he said. As a priority issue of the government, it might take about a week to get the president's approval for implementation of the leave programme, Dr Mohammad Tareque, finance secretary, told The Daily Star. All formalities in this matter have been done, he said. According to the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, a woman employee is entitled to a maternity leave for 16 weeks before or after delivery. -The Daily Star, December 19, 2010.
City holding tax relief mulled for war heroes
The government has a plan to exempt all the freedom fighters living in the city from seven percent holding tax, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka has said. “The liberation war heroes are the best sons of the soil. They deserve extra benefits. That is why the government is planning to cut holding tax of the freedom fighters in the city by seven percent,” the mayor said. The comment came following a demand of a freedom fighter at a reception arranged for the freedom fighters of Dhaka yesterday. DCC organised the programme at Osmani Udyan marking the 40th Victory Day of the nation. -The Daily Star, December 17, 2010.
HC asks for expert probe
The High Court directed the government to frame rules within next three months to ban import of any hazardous ships for scrapping. The rules must be framed in the light of six existing laws-- Basel Convention Act, 1989; Bangladesh Environment Protection Act, 1995; Bangladesh Marine and Fisheries Ordinance, 1989; Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006; Bangladesh Territorial Water and Maritime Zone Act, 1974, and Environment Protection Rules, 1997, according to the HC ruling. In response to a petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (Bela), an HC bench also ordered the government to form an expert committee within a month to check whether any ships with inbuilt hazardous materials enter the country's territorial waters. -The Daily Star, December 16, 2010.
Corresponding with the Law Desk
Dear reader,
You may send us your daily life legal problems inclu- ding family, financial, land or any other issues. Legal experts will answer those. Please send your mails, queries, and opinions to:Law Desk, The Daily Star 19 Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215; telephone 8124944,8124955,fax 8125155; email: dslawdesk@yahoo.co.uk,lawdesk@thedailystar.net
