JS body backs July fighters’ indemnity, report on interim govt ordinances by 2 April
With 15 days already having elapsed, the special committee now faces the challenge of completing this task within the remaining time
A special committee of parliament has expressed its agreement with the July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Ordinance, issued to provide legal protection and indemnity to students and people who took part in the movement.
At the same time, the committee is scheduled to submit a final report by 2 April after reviewing 133 ordinances issued by the interim government, panel members and ministers told the media today (24 March) after its first meeting.
After the meeting, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The parliamentary special committee fully agrees with the ordinance granting indemnity to those who took part in the July Uprising."
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Describing the participants as brave fighters, Salahuddin emphasised that ensuring their legal protection is both a moral and a state responsibility.
Regarding the discussions, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman stated, "The review of 133 ordinances issued during the interim government's tenure has already begun."
"Each ordinance is being thoroughly examined and a comprehensive report will be prepared by 2 April," he added.
The minister further clarified that the recommendations of the special committee will not automatically become law.
"Instead, the committee will present its opinions and recommendations to parliament, which will make the final decision on whether they should be enacted," he added.
According to parliamentary rules, decisions on previous ordinances must be made within 30 working days of the formation of a new parliament.
With 15 days already having elapsed, the special committee now faces the challenge of completing this task within the remaining time.
Review of 40 ordinances
At the first meeting held today, the special committee formed to examine 133 ordinances issued during the interim government discussed 40 of them.
After the meeting, held in the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, committee chairman Zainul Abedin told journalists, "On the first day, we were able to examine less than half of the ordinances. There are differing opinions among members on some issues; those will be discussed again at the next meeting."
He said the committee would meet again at 2pm tomorrow and expressed hope that all 133 ordinances could be examined and presented to parliament before 2 April.
Asked when they might be placed in parliament, he said that would be decided later by parliament. "However, it could possibly be within a week."
Ordinances discussed
Among the 40 ordinances discussed today were those concerning amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Special Security Force, the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, foreign donations regulation, and the abolition of the Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zones Authority.
Among the ordinances from the public administration ministry were those on setting the maximum age limit for direct recruitment in government, autonomous and statutory bodies, the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, the Government Service (Second Amendment) Ordinance, and an amendment regarding recruitment age limits.
Among those from the home ministry were ordinances on withdrawing security for family members of the Father of the Nation, amendments to anti-terrorism laws, prevention of enforced disappearances and remedies, the Police Commission Ordinance, prevention and suppression of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and the July Mass Uprising (Protection and Accountability) Ordinance.
In addition, discussions were held on ordinances related to land use control and protection of agricultural land, amendments to overseas employment and migration, forest and tree conservation, the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation, wildlife conservation, amendments to the prevention of violence against women and children, civil aviation amendments, amendments to the Bangladesh Travel Agency Act, two ordinances related to fish conservation, the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, amendments to the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the Sheikh Hasina National Youth Development Institute, the Bangabandhu Sports Welfare Foundation, two ordinances amending the National Sports Council, amendments to the Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Trust, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre, supplementary provisions regarding abandoned houses, development authorities for Barishal, Mymensingh and Rangpur, and spatial planning.
The meeting, chaired by Zainul Abedin, was attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief Whip Nurul Islam, Law Minister Asaduzzaman, MPs Muhammad Osman Faruk and AM Mahbub Uddin, State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari, Muhammad Naushad Zamir, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, and MPs Mujibur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam Khan and GM Nazrul Islam.
Also present were Secretary of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Kaniz Maola and Secretary of the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Liaquat Ali Molla.
