Shafique rules out new law to ban
Monday, 25 October 2010
Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed has said that there will be no need to enact any new legislation to ban religion-based politics, after the reprint of the Constitution in the light of the Supreme Court verdict on the 5th Amendment, reports UNB.
Talking to journalists after his meeting with EU Ambassador Stefan Frowein, Mr Shafique said the Election Commission (EC) would scrutinise the constitution or manifesto of any religion-based political party, to see if they contradict the reprinted Constitution.
The minister said the EC may give time to any registered religion based party to amend its constitution or manifesto if it was inconsistent with the reprinted Constitution or the EC may cancel its registration.
The law minister disagreed with some newspaper reports that the Prime Minister at a recent cabinet meeting had said that religion-based party would not be abolished. Rather, Shafique said the PM had said that the EC would take the decision.
After the reprint of the Constitution, he said the special committee formed by parliament would examine whether any amendment would be needed to add to or subtract any matter from the Constitution.
About his meeting with Frowein, the Shafique said the trial of war criminals, among other issues, came up for discussion, saying that Frowein personally supports the trial. However, the Ambassador suggested transparency and maintenance of international standard in the trial process.
Talking to journalists after his meeting with EU Ambassador Stefan Frowein, Mr Shafique said the Election Commission (EC) would scrutinise the constitution or manifesto of any religion-based political party, to see if they contradict the reprinted Constitution.
The minister said the EC may give time to any registered religion based party to amend its constitution or manifesto if it was inconsistent with the reprinted Constitution or the EC may cancel its registration.
The law minister disagreed with some newspaper reports that the Prime Minister at a recent cabinet meeting had said that religion-based party would not be abolished. Rather, Shafique said the PM had said that the EC would take the decision.
After the reprint of the Constitution, he said the special committee formed by parliament would examine whether any amendment would be needed to add to or subtract any matter from the Constitution.
About his meeting with Frowein, the Shafique said the trial of war criminals, among other issues, came up for discussion, saying that Frowein personally supports the trial. However, the Ambassador suggested transparency and maintenance of international standard in the trial process.