'Laws in line with global perspective needed to fight terrorism'
Saturday, 4 August 2007
The country needs a law with newer dimensions to fight terrorism more effectively as the menace has strong global connection and should be uprooted in line with the international strategy of "war against terrorism," reports BSS.
Official sources said a proposed law, which was formulated in 2005, has been awaiting nod from the law ministry with proposals for amendments from the experts.
The experts who put in amendments in the proposed law preferred to call it as Counter Terrorism Act-2005 instead of Anti-Terrorism Act-2005 because the word 'counter' is more forceful, active and expresses commitment of the authority.
The legal experts suggested re-defining the meaning of terrorist act or terrorism as an act of violence, committed, abetted, conspired or attempted intentionally or voluntarily or being ill-motivated by any extra constitutional cause that threatens the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of Bangladesh or to strike terror on the people or any section of the people.
The sources said in the original law, the minimum punishment for terrorist act is five years of imprisonment while for attempting to commit terrorist act the minimum punishment is seven years of imprisonment which the legal experts proposed must be vise-versa.
Experts have suggested that any attack on important public establishments like radio stations and satellite installations and places or areas used for the purpose of public transportation like bus, train and motor vehicle stations and others should be included as acts of terrorism in the law.
The legal experts opined that there should be a mention about the period for trial if necessary while time for investigation should be fifteen days instead of thirty days. The amendment said the total period for remand of suspected persons under law might be extended up to 45 days instead of 15 days, as it is not adequate to collect evidences.
The experts also suggested for establishing at least one anti-terrorism special tribunal in each divisional head quarters while time limit fixed for disposal of cases by special tribunal should be within 90 days instead of six months.
Official sources said a proposed law, which was formulated in 2005, has been awaiting nod from the law ministry with proposals for amendments from the experts.
The experts who put in amendments in the proposed law preferred to call it as Counter Terrorism Act-2005 instead of Anti-Terrorism Act-2005 because the word 'counter' is more forceful, active and expresses commitment of the authority.
The legal experts suggested re-defining the meaning of terrorist act or terrorism as an act of violence, committed, abetted, conspired or attempted intentionally or voluntarily or being ill-motivated by any extra constitutional cause that threatens the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of Bangladesh or to strike terror on the people or any section of the people.
The sources said in the original law, the minimum punishment for terrorist act is five years of imprisonment while for attempting to commit terrorist act the minimum punishment is seven years of imprisonment which the legal experts proposed must be vise-versa.
Experts have suggested that any attack on important public establishments like radio stations and satellite installations and places or areas used for the purpose of public transportation like bus, train and motor vehicle stations and others should be included as acts of terrorism in the law.
The legal experts opined that there should be a mention about the period for trial if necessary while time for investigation should be fifteen days instead of thirty days. The amendment said the total period for remand of suspected persons under law might be extended up to 45 days instead of 15 days, as it is not adequate to collect evidences.
The experts also suggested for establishing at least one anti-terrorism special tribunal in each divisional head quarters while time limit fixed for disposal of cases by special tribunal should be within 90 days instead of six months.