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(Repeal) Bill, and the Supreme Court Secretariat (Repeal) Bill.
The signatories said the move amounted to showing a “thumbs-down to the aspirations of the people of the country.”
They added that revoking ordinances tied to “fundamental reform, the independence of the judiciary, and ensuring human rights” was done “ignoring the people’s demands and despite the strong objection of the opposition party.”
The statement said, “This is contradictory to the current government’s election manifesto and their repeatedly pronounced commitments. We strongly protest this.”
The citizens also criticised recommendations for further scrutiny of the Right to Information (Amendment) Ordinance and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance, calling such moves “not at all desirable”.
They stressed that passing the latter was part of the government’s obligation under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The statement pointed out that the law minister, who was attorney general when the ordinances were passed, had been involved in drafting the Supreme Court Secretariat and Human Rights Commission ordinances.
Against that backdrop, the government’s objection was described as “truly surprising”.
On the Human Rights Commission, they said successive governments had promised to make the body effective but failed.
The existing law, they argued, needed urgent amendment to meet international standards.
Had the ordinance been passed, victims could have received proper redress, and the commission could have acted against human rights violators.
However, since that did not happen, the fear has grown stronger that, as before, the Human Rights Commission may become an ineffective, bureaucratic institution or one dominated by politically loyal individuals, the statement added.
They further noted that the ruling party had pledged in its manifesto to make the Supreme Court Secretariat effective.
Repealing the measure, they cautioned, would undermine judicial independence and restore executive influence over subordinate courts.
The signatories said the 13th parliamentary election was not an ordinary one, but the outcome of a mass uprising that carried a promise to build a discrimination-free state and society after 15 years of misrule.
They urged the government to enact the ordinances through parliament. “Otherwise, there is no doubt that the people will once again become vocal in protest and undertake active programmes.”
Among the signatories are Anu Muhammad, economist and former professor at Jahangirnagar University; Sultana Kamal, veteran human rights activist and founding chairperson of Foundation for Human Rights Culture; Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB; ZI Khan Panna, senior lawyer and chairperson of Ain o Salish Kendra; Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; Shireen Parveen Huq, member of Naripokkho; Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education; and Shamsul Huda, executive director of Association for Land Reform and Development.
Artemis crew urges
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their shared humanity.
“What struck me wasn’t necessarily just Earth, it was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe,” said Koch.
“There’s one new thing I know and that is: Planet Earth -- you are a crew.”
Hansen called on fans of the Artemis mission to see themselves in the crew of four, who marked a series of milestones: Glover was the first person of color to fly around the Moon, Koch was the first woman, and Canadian Hansen the first non-American.
“I would suggest to you that when you look up here, you’re not looking at us. We are a mirror reflecting you,” Hansen said.
“And if you like what you see, then just look a little deeper. This is you.”
While hurtling through deep space and zipping around the Moon, the Artemis astronauts took thousands of photographs, amassing a stunning portfolio of images.
They also witnessed a solar eclipse along with extraordinary meteorite strikes on the lunar surface.
“Artemis II will always be remembered. It was the moment we all saw the moon again, where childhood dreams became missions. You helped the world start believing again, and this is something no one’s ever going to forget,” Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman said.
Artemis II was the inaugural crewed mission of Nasa’s program aiming to install a sustained presence on the Moon, including the eventual construction of a base that could be used for further exploration including to Mars.
Nasa is hoping it can put boots on the lunar surface as soon as 2028.