‘Emergency power’ should be debated in parliament: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said all major political parties have reached a consensus on amending Article 141 of the Constitution, which governs imposing a state of emergency, to prevent political misuse of emergency powers.

Watch: What parties say

Speaking to reporters after today's (7 July) session of the National Consensus Commission, Salahuddin said past experiences have shown how emergency provisions were abused for political ends. "There is consensus that such misuse must not recur," he added.

However, he emphasised that any reform must follow a detailed parliamentary debate after the commission's 10th session.

"Our position is that the next parliament should resolve this through an extensive debate. The legal and constitutional implications are significant, and some provisions may require further legislation," he said.

Salahuddin noted that any new legislation would likely draw upon several related constitutional articles, and must be considered comprehensively within the legislative process.

The commission's draft proposal notes that the current provisions concerning the declaration of a state of emergency severely restrict civil rights and constrain the judiciary to the point of inaction. It therefore recommends amending Articles 141A, 141B, and 141C of the Constitution.

Among the proposed changes: the duration of emergency cannot exceed 60 days, constitutionally guaranteed civil rights must not be suspended during such periods, and under no circumstances should access to the courts be denied to citizens seeking to assert their rights.

Consensus reached in principle to expand lower courts to upazila-level: Ali Riaz

The country's political parties and alliances have reached a consensus on gradually expanding lower courts to the Upazila level, National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Ali Riaz said on Monday (7 July).

Consensus reached in principle to expand lower courts to upazila-level: Ali Riaz

Salahuddin Ahmed, "Upazilas located very close to district headquarters do not require separate subordinate courts. Nor is there a need to duplicate district courts within the same locality." He urged that a comprehensive survey be conducted to determine the number and placement of new courts.