Dependants of a victim of enforced disappearances now can use the victim's property sans any permission under provision of a draft law that remedies existing painful wait of many.
The Advisory Council of the interim government in its meeting Thursday approved the draft of two ordinances-one related to enforced disappearances and another on wetlands conservation with tough deterrent provisions against encroachments and pollution.
Presided over by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the meeting also approved a decision to open Bangladesh Embassy in Bern in Switzerland, said a spokesman for the CA Office.
In the meeting the Advisory Council granted both policy-level and final approval for the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearances (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.
Under this draft law, if a person remains missing for a minimum of five years and has not returned alive, a relevant tribunal will be empowered to officially declare the person "disappeared" or a victim of enforced disappearance.
The government is empowered to appoint the required number of public prosecutors for the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Tribunal, based on recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission. Victims or complainants will also be allowed to appoint lawyers for the tribunal at their own initiative.
In addition, the wife of a disappeared person, or any dependent member of the family, will be permitted to use the disappeared person's property without prior permission from the commission.
The Advisory Council also approved, at both policy and final stages, the draft Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Conservation Ordinance 2025.
The haor ecosystem of the deltaic Bangladesh is rare and unique in the world. "However, due to unplanned construction of embankments that obstruct rivers and waterways, uncontrolled use of poisons and pesticides, and the adverse impact of tourism, this ecosystem is on the brink of destruction. At the same time, the existing legal framework for protecting wetlands has been inadequate," it is stated in the objective of the law.
Through this ordinance, the specific duties, powers and jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development Department will be clearly defined. Provisions have been included to promulgate protection ordinances aimed at conserving biodiversity, the environment, ecology and ecosystems of haor and wetland areas.
The ordinance also includes provisions for declaring protected haor and wetland areas to ensure their preservation.
Furthermore, the ordinance specifies prohibited activities in haor and wetland areas, classifies such activities as criminal offences, and sets out penalties for violations.
For the implementation of development projects in haor and wetland areas, except in specified exceptional cases, it will be mandatory to seek the opinion of the department. The ordinance also grants authority to formulate rules, regulations and guidelines to ensure coordination with other authorities, departments and agencies, where necessary, as well as to guarantee the involvement and inclusion of local stakeholders in conservation activities.
The Advisory Council approved a proposal to establish a new Bangladesh embassy in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
Since the post-independence period, Bangladesh has maintained a permanent mission in Geneva. However, despite most countries having their embassies in Bern, Bangladesh has not had an embassy there, and diplomatic and bilateral activities with Switzerland had been conducted through the permanent mission in Geneva.
Switzerland is an important development partner and strategic ally of Bangladesh. Considering these factors, the decision has been taken to establish a Bangladesh embassy in Bern.
Initially, the embassy will begin operation with the appointment of an ambassador, a first secretary, and a number of officers and staff members. To date, Bangladesh has 82 mission offices worldwide.
Besides, the Advisory Council discussed the health condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, a fearless frontline fighter of the July mass uprising and spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch. His condition remains "extremely critical".
Singapore's Foreign Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, has been maintaining regular contact with the Chief Adviser to enquire about Hadi's condition. A senior official from Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived in Singapore and is directly overseeing Hadi's medical treatment.
The council of advisers of the post-uprising government also expressed special appreciation to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for the smooth and dignified observance of the Victory Day this year.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
