Law
Week
Benapole, Teknaf Land Ports
Tk 142cr bribes exacted in 2yrs
Businessmen have to pay bribes at fixed rates at 30 different points at Benapole land port and seven points at Teknaf land port to release consignments. The illicit practice is delaying the business process, increasing prices of goods and depriving the government of revenue, a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report revealed. The report on 'Benapole and Teknaf land port: A diagnostic study' also revealed that customs officials and port officials of the two land ports received no less than Tk 142.08 crore in bribe in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 financial years. Government officials have been depriving the government of taxes from consignments for years by false declarations, the report said. The government have lost nearly Tk 100 crore of tax in the last four years; the report said quoting a customs official. The report stated that businessmen on an average have to pay bribes of Tk 17,203 at Benapole and Tk 4,927 at Teknaf land port to release a consignment. The publication ceremony of the report was held in the VIP lounge of the National Press Club. -The Daily Star, April 17.
Police Attack on Journalists
CMP DC (Port) closed, sergeant suspended
Amid countrywide protests against police attack on journalists during Bangladesh-Australia test match at the Chittagong stadium, the authorities yesterday suspended a police sergeant and closed the deputy commissioner (port), who led the attack. Journalists, political leaders, artists, intellectuals and sports organisers staged angry protests in the capital, Chittagong and elsewhere in the country against the police attack in which at least 20 journalists were injured. They demanded that the government dismisses and arrests DC (Port) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police Ali Akbar Khan and other policemen involved in the assault on journalists within the next 24 hours. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).
Decided to observe a token work stoppage in all newspapers and news agencies if their demands are not met. The programmes were announced from a protest rally organised by BFUJ and DUJ outside the National Press Club. Chaired by BFUJ President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, the rally was addressed by political leaders including Abdur Razzak MP, Tofail Ahmed, Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haq Inu. Different sports personalities also addressed the rally. -The Daily Star, April 18.
Cabinet Approves Contempt Bill
Media can publish news on judges' personal activities
The cabinet approved contempt of court bill allowing the newspapers to publish news on the judges' personal behaviours and activities. In a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the cabinet also approved Micro-credit Regulatory Authority (MCRA) Act, 2006, and bills on cable TV operation, and accreditation. The proposed contempt of court legislation if enacted will permit newspapers to publish news; constructive criticism and features on the way judges conduct their personal lives. It also permits the media factual criticism of the appeal cases. In the approved bill, contempt of court has been specifically defined. Contempt charges can be brought against any person for intentionally defying or ignoring or showing disrespect to any court's verdict, decree, or order by any written or oral expression or gestures or visual means. The draft law provides for a maximum six months of jail and a fine of Tk 5,000 as punishment for committing contempt. However, an accused will be able to secure bail on paying a bond until passing of a judgement. -Prothom Alo, April 18.
Electoral Reforms
14-party sit-in before PMO
Awami League (AL) and its allies seek to stage a sit-in outside the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to press home the demand for electoral reforms while a ban on gathering around the PMO takes effect from midnight. Amid 'indiscriminate arrests and police harassment', the AL led 14-party opposition combine at a meeting at the office of Bangladesh Workers Party decided to defy the ban and stage a peaceful sit-in programme from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Addressing a huge gathering of her party's youth front, Jubo League, on city's Paltan Maidan, AL President Sheikh Hasina said the ruling coalition will not be able to escape public outcry by clamping bans or unleashing the police after opposition activists. Around 12 thousand law enforcers including 400 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) men and 400 members of Armed Police Battalion will be deployed on the city streets to thwart movement of 14-party leaders and activists towards the PMO for the sit-in there. Movement of all modes of vehicles will be stopped at 17 concerned roads. Temporary barbed-wire fences have already been set up at different crossings in those roads. -The Daily Star, April 19.
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