Rohingya Issue: Discussion in House 'today'

Two separate discussions, one on the Rohingya issue and the other on the apex court's verdict on the 16th constitutional amendment, are likely to take place in parliament today and tomorrow.

Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia hinted this after Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed's proposal to hold general discussions on the issues.

Before Tofail's speech on point of order, independent MP Rustom Ali Farazi drew the deputy speaker's attention on the atrocities carried out against the Rohingyas by the Myanmar government.

The deputy speaker told Farazi, “Discussion on point of order would bring no result. You better submit a proposal following rules of procedure of parliament so that the parliament can adopt a resolution after discussion of lawmakers on the important issue.”

Later, Awami League MP Tahjib Alam Siddique on a point of order raised the issue of apex court's verdict on the 16th constitutional amendment that scrapped parliament's authority to impeach judges.

The deputy speaker also stopped Tahjib and requested him to raise the issue in parliament following rules of procedure of parliament so that the House could hold an effective discussion on it.

“Like you I am also stunned. This parliament is sovereign. We can have a fruitful discussion on the issue [scrapping of the 16th amendment] and the House can adopt a resolution following lawmakers' discussion on it,” Fazle Rabbi added.

He said the Speaker would fix a date and time in consultation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after getting formal proposal from the MPs on holding the discussions.