Convention on enforced disappearance gets advisory council nod
Decision to scrap provisions for special security of Bangabandhu’s family members
FE REPORT | Friday, 30 August 2024
In a major move, the advisory council of the interim government on Thursday decided to scrap the provisions for the Security of Family Members Act, 2009.
A meeting of the advisory council held at the State Guest House Jamuna, presided over by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, also decided to revoke the provisions for whitening black money.
The Council of Advisers also approved a proposal to be a party of the 'International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED)'.
While signing the ICPPED document, the CA termed it a 'historic moment', said a spokesperson of the CA.
The Security of Family Members Act, 2009 (Act No. 63 of 2009) was promulgated by the AL government to provide the family members of the 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman" foolproof state security everywhere in the country, including their residences and free utility services.
The meeting approved the draft of 'the Security of Family Members of the Father of the Nation (Repeal) Ordinance, 2024' subject to vetting by the legislative and parliamentary affairs department.
"Our government is an outcome of anti-discrimination movement. It (the security ordinance) was seen as discriminatory," Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for environment, forest, and climate change, told reporters at the guest house gate.
She said the ordinance is found discriminatory and that is why the council decided to scrap it. "The interim government is committed to eradicating all discrimination after the anti-discrimination student movement," she added.
Responding to a question, the adviser said the government does not want to wholesale replay of the officials of the previous regime.
Action will be taken against the ones, against whom there is specific allegation, she pointed out, adding that the country needs efficient officers.
The cabinet also decided to ratify the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction', the spokesperson said.