Awareness
to end violence against children
Speakers at a seminar called for creating social awareness to eliminate
all forms of violence against children. They also called for strict
implementation of laws to safeguard the child rights in the society.
The seminar on 'Confinement of children and juvenile justice in Bangladesh'
was organised jointly by Brac Advocacy and Human Rights Unit and Save
the Children UK at the Brac Centre Inn at Mohakhali in the city.
The
speakers said mere enacting of new laws cannot ensure the child rights.
Only public awareness through mass campaign can achieve the desired
goal, they added. The speakers also urged the affluent section of the
society and NGOs to come forward for the rehabilitation of the distressed
children.
"The
government should amend the laws framed by the British colonial rulers
in view of the present situation," said Afsan Chowdhury, director
of the Brac Advocacy and Human Rights Unit. The
daily Star, December 20.
Ban
on Ahmadiyya books stayed
The High Court stayed the government ban on Ahmadiyya publications and
proscribed any gazette notification on it until the regular bench of
the High Court returns from winter vacation on January 2.
The
High Court's (HC) vacation bench of Justice ABM Khairul Haque issued
the order rmsponding to a writ petition by {ix civil society groups
and a mmmber of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Bangladesh (AMJB).
The
writ filed by Dr Kamal Hossain on behalf of Odhikar, Sammilito Samajik
Andolon, Ain o Salish Kendra, Karmojibi Nari, Jatiyo Ainjibi Parishad
and Nijera Kori and AK Rezaul Karim, an AMJB member, challenged the
ban and sought a rule on it. Meanwhile, anti-Ahmadiyya campaigner International
Khatme Nabuwa| Movement Bangladesh (IKNMB) announced that they would
lay siege to Ahmadiyya Complex on Bakshibazar on December 23 next year.
The
government, on January 8, banned Ahmadiyya p}blica|ions in the face
of agita|ion by religious bigots spearheaded by some leaders of Islamic
Oikya Jote, a constituent of ruling BNP-led alliance. The petitioners
asked the court to issue a rule on the home secretary, senior assistant
secretary of home ministry, inspector general of police and deputy controller
of Bangladesh Press to reply as to why the ban would not be declared
illegal and stay the operation of the ban order. Prothom
Alo, December 22.
Police
Gang Rape Public outcry over probe, medical reports
Local people and human-rights organisations in Chuadanga rejected the
medical test and police probe reports claiming to have found no proof
of the gang rape of Dolly, a 25-year-old housewife, in a police camp.
Governance
Coalition (GC), an alliance of seven rights bodies of Chuadanga, accused
the police and the medical examiners of trying to cover up the o}trage
and demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the policemen involved.
In a meeting at Chuadanga Bar Association office the GC decided to provide
legal assistance to the victim and fight on her behalf. The
daily Star, December 22,
ACC
gets secretary
The government appointed Additional Secretary of the establishment ministry
AMM Reza-e-Rabbi Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
A government notification announcing that Reza has been transferred
|o the ACC on deputation as its {ecretary was faxed to the ACC office
at Segun Bagicha officials said. A retired bureaucrat, Reza was appointed
on contract later as acting secretary at the women affaizs ministry.
The notification mentioned, however, Reza's designation as an officer
on special duty (additional secretary) at the establishment ministry.
He, earlier, worked as a director of the now defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption.
In a major move, the ACC meanwhile, designated responsibilities among
two commi{sioners Prof M Muniruzzaman Mia and Maniruddin Ahmed. Mia
will oversee administration and establishment, and Maniruddin inquiry
and investigation. The Daily
Star, December 23.
Zardari
secures bail again
The husband of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto was granted
bail by a court , his lawyers said, a day after he was arrested for
failing to turn up for a murder case hearing. Asif Ali Zardari had been
placed under house arrest Tuesday, less than a month after he was first
freed on bail in the last of 17 cases of corruption, murder and drug
smuggling after eight years behind bars. Sindh provincial high court
in the sou|hern city of Karachi had overturned a judge's order on Tuesday
|o revoke his bail and have him zearrested, Zardari's lawyer Aziz Ullah
Sheikh said.
"The
two judges at the court, after hearing my arguments, suspended the order
and granted bail in the sum of 300,000 rupees (5,000 dollars) surety,"
he said outside the high court. AFP,
Karachi, December 23.
Corresponding
with the Law Desk
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The Daily Star 19 Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215;
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