Govt moves to amend CrPC to safeguard rights during arrest, interrogation: Asif Nazrul

The government has prepared a draft amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1898, aiming to ensure a rights-based approach and stronger safeguards during arrests and interrogations, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said today (24 June).

"We have drafted an amendment to CrPC to ensure right-based approach and strict safeguards during arrest and interrogation. It'll be cleared very soon," he said while addressing the concluding session of a two-day workshop in the capital.

The Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with Youth and Sports Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry organised the workshop titled 'Commonwealth Charter Youth Workshop Bangladesh-2025'.

The law adviser said his ministry has undertaken a bold reform drive aligned with the Commonwealth Charter's core values.

Citing some reform examples, he also said the government has amended the code of civil procedure to make justice faster, cheaper and more accessible.

Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh advances full digitalisation of the judiciary to ensure transparency and efficiency.

"We have actually started the process and wish to make a significant contribution to digitalisation (of the judiciary) during the next six months," he said.

He said the government amended laws on gender based violence for time-bound justice and introduced digital marriage and divorce registration ensuring gender equality.

Noting that the cyber security act was one of the most hated and criticised laws in Bangladesh, he said the interim government has also revised the cyber protection ordinance to uphold freedom of expression.

"We have made an amendment through a very intense consultative process and we have made 23 drafts of those amendments during the process of finalising it (this ordinance). We have made an amendment through a very intense consultative process and we have made 23 drafts of those amendments during the process of finalising it (this ordinance)," he said.

The adviser said even Amnesty International officials admitted that this law is not a very bad law. 

"So, when you hear from amnesty people that it's not a very bad law that means it's a good law," he said.

"If you compare the cyber security law to the past versions, we definitely made significant advancements in terms of securing people's rights and helping them from the oppression of state missionaries," Asif Nazrul added.

He said these are not isolated changes which together reflect the government's commitment to the rule of law, good governance, judicial independence and human dignity -- the values that echo the very spirit of the Commonwealth Charter.

"The commonwealth charter is not merely a declaration. It's a moral compass that binds us across borders," the adviser added.

Youths from diverse backgrounds, including media, civil society, minority groups and academia, joined the event and gained a deeper understanding of the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, including democracy, human rights and freedom of expression.

Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Prof Luis Franceschi urged the participants to turn Commonwealth values into action in everyday life.

 "The future of Bangladesh depends on the choices you make today. You may not be guaranteed success, but failure is guaranteed if you give up. So, don't give up. Stand up. Speak up. Lead forward. Choose actions that will make your communities and country proud," he said.

On Monday, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain opened the workshop and described the Commonwealth Charter as a 'moral compass' for 2.7 billion people across 56 nations.

Prof Franceschi is also leading a Commonwealth delegation in Dhaka to engage with the Interim Government of Bangladesh.

Adopted in 2013, the Commonwealth Charter sets out the political, social, economic and environmental values and principles agreed by all member countries.