SC court's direction to Govt.

The full bench of the Appellate Division of Supreme Court has modified the draft bills submitted by the government relating to the separation of judiciary. The amended bills were the Judicial Service Commission Rules, Judicial Service Pay Commission Rules, Judicial Service Composition Rules, Judicial Service Control Rules and bill relating to amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure. The amended bills will be treated as the part of the 12 point's direction of the court relating to the separation of the judiciary from the executive. The court gave three months time to implement the court's order and directed the government to submit the report to the court within this time framed. It also directed to include the matter in the cause list for hearing on 27 April this year. In 1999 the court gave 12 points directions to the government for the separation of the judiciary. The final draft for the separation was made during the caretaker government. But they failed to complete the task due to lack of time. The present government took times to examine the draft bills for several times. Finally the court come forward to modify the bills to make the process for the separation promptly. However the court directed the government to submit the progress report before the court. The government seek time for 5 times earlier. The court also expressed its dissatisfaction over the progress of the government. Jugantor, 27 January.

AI to Bangladeshi parliamentarians The Amnesty International urged to the Parliamentarians of Bangladesh not to support the bill of Joint Drive Indemnity Ordinance 2003. The bill was placed in the on going session of the parliament in order to make it as law. The law is aimed to give immunity to the troops for all of their actions during a controversial anti-crime drive, which reportedly claimed 40 lives. Bangladeshi parliamentarians must not allow such a sever blow to the future of human rights safeguards in the country, according to the statement of the Amnesty International. It also said that it is now up to the Parliamentarians to demonstrate their commitment to the future of the human rights in Bangladesh by opposing this bill. If the bill is passed it will provide impunity to army personnel for the deaths of innocent people after their alleged torture in army custody. It also expressed its concerned that if the bill is passed no civil or criminal procedures could be invoked against the disciplinary forces or any government official for any violation of human rights. Independent, 26 January.

Proposed HR commission bill is weak

Speakers at a seminar said that the proposed Human Rights Commission Bill is so weak that it will be a puppet commission. The seminar was organised by the Ain O Shalish Kendro. The speakers of the seminar also demanded public debate before finalising the draft. They demanded the inclusion of the representatives from the women and children, as they are the worst victims of the violation of human rights. The draft bill for the proposed human rights commission designed that the president will appoint the chairman of the commission upon the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee related to the Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministry. If no such committee exists then president will appoint the chairman of the commission upon consultation with the Chief Justice. But the accountability of the chairman is not clear from the draft bill, the speakers alleged. They proposed that there should be the schedule time in the bill to submit yearly report of the commission on human rights situation in the country and the report must be made public. The speakers also suggested for a retired judge of the Supreme Court to be the chairman of the commission. Daily Star, 22 January.

89 working women raped last year

At least 89 working women working in different places were raped in the year of 2002. Of the rape victims 8 were killed after being raped, according to the survey made the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS). Of the victims 43 were garment workers, 20 domestic workers, 6 NGO workers, 3 processing company workers, 2 nurses and 12 from other sectors. Daily Star, 25 January.

Call for speedy disposal of election cases

Speakers at a seminar called for the speedy disposal of the election cases. They also alleged that the election agents of the MPs have not yet submitted statements of their election expenses, which is the gross violation of the electoral laws. The seminar was organised by the legislative support service project on Manabic Shahajya Sngstha (MSS) titled "Status of Election Disputes and Return of Election Expenses". It was observed in the seminar that due to absence of time frame in the disposal of election petition relief came very late or not at all to the aggrieved party during the term of the parliament. They suggested for the set up of a shorter time limit for the disposal of the election petitions, which will be an important reform of the present electoral laws in the country. Former Chief Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hena said that unless the election commission is not adequately empowered, as he experienced, it is not possible to address these issues. Daily Star, 23 January.

RAF is on the drive

The Rapid Action Force(RAF) of police started its drive against terrorism from January 25 in the capital city. RAF has been formed as a following measure to continue the anti crime drive after the withdrawal of the joint forces. The RAF members will work in plain cloth to hide their identity. The first batch of RAF consists of 133 members has completed its 10 weeks commando training under the command of Army Para Commando Battalion at Rajendropur cantonment, Gazipur. The second batch of the RAF consists of 150 energetic policemen will join their 10 weeks training at the same venue on the first week of February. An independent building has been hired for the setting up of the office of the RAF. Residential arrangement for the RAF has also been completed. The members of the RAF includes one Deputy Commissioner, one Assistant Deputy Commissioner, 11 Assistant Commissioners, 8 Inspectors, 8 Sub Inspectors, 12 Sergeants, 2 head Constables, 22 Naykes and 68 constables. Independent, 25 January.

Two draft bills okayed by cabinet

The cabinet has approved two draft bills named Code of Civil Procedure 1908(amendment) Bill 2003 and Gram Sarker Act 2003. The approval was given at the regular meeting of the cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister on 27 January. Other members of the committee were the State Ministers on charge of the concerned ministries, Cabinet Secretary, Principle Secretary to the Prime Minister and the concerned Secretaries. The Code of Civil Procedure Bill provides for establishing alternative dispute settlement system to dispose of certain cases through arbitration. The Gram Parishad Act of the Awami League Government is replaced by the Gram Sarker Act. According to the Act the Gram Sarker will consist of 16 members including a chairman. The elected member of the Union Parishad will be the chairman of the Gram Sarker. Every ward of the union will be treated as the gram, according to the Act. Law Desk.

EC cries for army

The Election Commission (EC) again requested for the deployment of army in the face of widespread of violence and rigging during the on going Union Parishad elections. It has sent a letter to the Armed Forces Division. Reports of killing, violence, intimidation and security lapses have embarrassed the Election Commission. This is the second time that the EC requested the government for deployment of troops during the election. Daily star, 28 January.