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Hira Talukder

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Government decision coming after a week, but how legal is it?
Government decision coming after a week, but how legal is it?
Report

Government decision coming after a week, but how legal is it?

The interim government had given political parties a week to resolve their differences over the implementation of the July Charter and the date of the referendum. The deadline given on November 3 expired on November 10. However, the political parties have not expressed any opinion on the issue of resolving their differences and reaching a consensus within the stipulated time. Most parties are still adamant on their previous position. In this situation, it is known that the Chief Adviser will take his final decision on November 13. However, legal experts have opined that taking such a unilateral decision in this regard would not be constitutional.

‘We have no muscle power, hunger strike is our only language of protest’
‘We have no muscle power, hunger strike is our only language of protest’
Report

‘We have no muscle power, hunger strike is our only language of protest’

With tear stains dried beneath his eyes, his voice weak and strength fading, Tarique Rahman, General Secretary of the unregistered political party Amjonotar Dal, was seen sitting under the open sky in front of the Election Commission building in Dhaka, receiving saline. In a frail voice, he murmured, “We have no muscle power. That’s why the EC unjustly denied our party registration. I will continue protesting against this injustice until my death.”

Unprecedented amendment to RPO heats up poll season
Unprecedented amendment to RPO heats up poll season
Report

Unprecedented amendment to RPO heats up poll season

Some amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) were made before the 7th national elections. But the amendments made by the interim government this time are unprecedented. Especially, the amendments to Section 21 of the RPO, which were widely made by accepting the proposals of Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP and rejecting the proposals of some other parties including BNP, are making the election season hot. Several political parties, including the BNP, are angry over the cancellation of the long-standing alliance system of elections under a single party symbol.

Northern winds herald winter’s arrival
Northern winds herald winter’s arrival
Report

Northern winds herald winter’s arrival

'With the winter breeze, a dance begins on every branch of the Amlaki tree, the leaves shiver and fall in rhythm.' In the rhythm of this poem by the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore, winter is arriving a little early this year in Bangladesh, the abode of natural beauty. In this land of six seasons, each season appears with its own distinct characteristics.

Nation on edge: Major quake looms on Dawki-Madhupur fault
Nation on edge: Major quake looms on Dawki-Madhupur fault
Report

Nation on edge: Major quake looms on Dawki-Madhupur fault

Pressure has been building for about 400 years on the tectonic plates beneath Bangladesh, specifically on the Dawki and Madhupur faults. When this strong pressure is released, the resulting earthquake could reach a magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale. This would cause extensive damage to central, northern, and north-eastern regions of Bangladesh, including Dhaka. The number of casualties would surpass all previous records. This information was revealed in a research paper published in June of this year by the geology department of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, USA.

Draft NHRC ordinance to boost commission's power, independence
Draft NHRC ordinance to boost commission's power, independence
Report

Draft NHRC ordinance to boost commission's power, independence

Amendments are being brought to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act-2009. These changes aim to empower the NHRC, which has been operating with limited power and independence, by enhancing its own authority and ensuring unhindered freedom in its work to guarantee the protection and development of human rights. Furthermore, the amendments mandate that the appointment of its Chairman and members must be done through a transparent, open, and competitive process. After the Law Commission's recommendations, the amendment is currently with the Ministry of Law for vetting. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law has confirmed this information.

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