Constitution of Bangladesh
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The constitution of Bangladesh is the supreme law in Bangladesh.
Contents |
[edit] History
Following the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh became independent on December 16, 1971. After the independence, the first constituent assembly was formed by the lawmakers from Awami League who were previously elected in East Pakistan provincial assembly in the Pakistani election of 1970. The constitution of Bangladesh was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1972. It came into effect from 16 December 1972, on the first anniversary of the victory day. Suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986.
[edit] Organs of the State
As per the constitution of the republic it comprises three basic organs:
- Legislative Branch
- Executive Branch
- Judicial Branch
[edit] Articles
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The constitution of Bangladesh is divided into 11 parts, which are further subdivided into 153 articles. In addition, there are 4 schedules.
[edit] Part II: Fundamental principles of state policy
This part describes the fundamental principles. The original 1972 constitution had 4 basic principles: Secularity, Nationalism, Democracy and Socialism (meaning economic and social justice for all). However, later amendments replaced Secularity with "Absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah shall be the basis of all actions."[1]
Part II's article 9, 10, and 11 declares the rights of the people. Article 9 provides guidelines for quotas for the underrepresented communities, women, and peasants. Article 10 states the equal rights of women. Article 11 states that Bangladesh would be a democracy, with guaranteed human rights. Article 13, 14, 15, and 16 deal with principal of ownership, emancipation of workers and peasants, provision of basic necessities, and rural development. Article 17 states that the basic education will be free and compulsory for all children. The remaining articles (18-25) provide various guarantees for public health and morality, equality of opportunity, work as a right and duty, duties of citizens and of public servants, separation of Judiciary from the executive, national culture, national monuments, and promotion of international peace, security and solidarity, respectively.
[edit] Part III: Fundamental rights
[edit] Laws inconsistent with fundamental rights to be void
As per Constitution, Part III:
- Laws inconsistent with fundamental rights to be void.
- Equality before law.
- Discrimination on grounds of religion, etc.
- Equality of opportunity in public employment.
- Prohibition of foreign titles, etc. (No citizen shall, without the prior approval of the President, accept any title, honour, award or decoration from any foreign state.)
- Right to protection of law.
- Protection of right to life and personal liberty.
- Safeguards as to arrest and detention.
- Prohibition of forced labour.
- Protection in respect of trial and punishment.
- Freedom of movement.
- Freedom of assembly.
- Freedom of association.
- Freedom of thought and conscience, and of speech.
- Freedom of profession or occupation.
- Freedom of religion.
- Rights to property.
- Protection of home and correspondence.
- Enforcement of fundamental rights.
- Modification of rights in respect of disciplinary.
- Power to provide indemnity.
- Saving for certain laws.
- Inapplicability of certain articles.
[edit] Equality before law
This part states that all Bangladeshi citizens regardless of race, religion etc. are equal in before the judiciary system of Bangladesh.
[edit] Fundamental Foreign Policy
- The State shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlements of international disputes, and respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter, and on the basis of those principles shall:
- Strive for the renunciation of the use of force in international relations and for general and complete disarmament,
- Uphold the right of every people freely to determine and build up its own social, economic and political system by ways and means of its own free choice, and
- Support oppressed peoples throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism colonialism or racialism.
- The State shall endeavor to consolidate, preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic solidarity.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Constitution of Bangladesh: Part II: Fundamental Principles of State Policy". Chief Adviser's Office. Prime Minister's Office. Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. http://www.pmo.gov.bd/constitution/part2.htm#P2.
