The provisions also undermine the essence of the personal liberty of the citizens, freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of the medi1

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its grave concern over the adoption of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2013 by the parliament on 11 June 2013. ASK considers that the amendment has widened the scope to restraint peoples’ constitutional rights and has the potential to undermine the principles of human rights and democracy.

On 11 June 2013, the Parliament of Bangladesh passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2013.  The bill was placed in the parliament on 3 June 2013, examined by the parliamentary standing committee in a hurried manner and being passed on 11 June 2013. After the enactment, many legal experts, human rights activists and political activists expressed their concerns on the risks of potential misuse of the law. ASK thinks, some of the provisions of this law are contrary to the human rights principles and democratic values. The provisions also undermine the essence of the personal liberty of the citizens, freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of the media. These provisions might be used as an official tool to subjugate the opposition or dissent and to curtail the fundamental rights of the people.

ASK condemns the enactment of such a flawed law and urge the government to amend the provisions contrary to the constitution, peoples’ fundamental rights and democratic values.