Ordinances made law as MPs pass eight bills

The Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday approved eight bills to formalise ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with all measures passed by voice vote and without clause-by-clause discussion.

As no amendments were proposed for individual clauses, lawmakers did not engage in debate before the bills were adopted.

The legislation was approved immediately after being presented by the relevant ministers.

The move follows recommendations from a special parliamentary
committee tasked with reviewing the 133 ordinances promulgated during the interim administration.

The committee advised that 98 ordinances be approved in their original form, 15 with amendments, four be repealed, and 16 strengthened and reintroduced later through new legislation.

The eight bills passed on Tuesday were among those recommended for approval without any changes.

Among the legislation adopted was the Haor and Wetland Conservation Bill, introduced by Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and passed by voice vote.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman then moved four additional bills individually for passage: amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Civil Courts Act, the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, and the Registration Act. All four were approved by voice vote.

While presenting the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, the law minister noted that the revised legislation includes enforced disappearance within the definition of crimes against humanity.

He urged critics who question the government’s commitment to prosecuting enforced disappearances to review the provisions carefully.

“The government remains determined to address cases of enforced disappearance, and this is reflected in the amended law,” he said.

Following the bill’s passage, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman raised a point of order, describing the law minister’s remarks as unnecessary and stating that the opposition would respond at an appropriate time.

In reply, the law minister explained that external criticism of the government’s handling of enforced disappearance cases had compelled him to clarify the position while presenting the bill.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad intervened, emphasising that while comments may be made outside parliament, debate within the House should remain limited to lawmakers’ remarks, adding that proceedings would continue in accordance with parliamentary rules.

The House subsequently moved to adopt additional bills, including three concerning amendments to laws governing medical universities under the Ministry of Health.

In the absence of the health minister, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed introduced amendments to the laws of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Sheikh Hasina Medical University.

While presenting the second bill, Salahuddin briefly remarked, smiling, that it was “a very sad matter” to have to repeat the name Sheikh Hasina after mentioning it earlier.

Later, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain introduced the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Medical University, Sylhet (Amendment) Bill, which was also approved by voice vote.