Govt conditionally relaxes
restrictions on politics
Courtesy New Age 13/5/08
More than a year after the slapping of a complete ban on political activities, the military-controlled government on Monday ‘conditionally’ relaxed the ban on political activities throughout the country.
‘The government has relaxed the ban on meetings and gatherings by any political parties, individuals or organisations under certain conditions,’ said a circular issued by the home ministry.
With the partial lifting of the ban, the political parties and social organisations are now allowed to carry out their activities on a limited scale throughout the country. In September 2007, the government allowed the political parties and other organisations to organise indoor meetings and gatherings, particularly for political purposes.
Monday’s circular said the metropolitan police commissioner concerned, district magistrate or upazila nirbahi officer, depending on the circumstances, must be informed 48 hours ahead of any such meeting, in which not more than 200 people can participate.
The organisers will have to obtain special permission from the authorities concerned in case there are more than 200 participants.
‘All gatherings must be held indoors — in any residence, community centre, hotel, restaurant or the organisation’s office,’ said the circular, adding that under no circumstance should the meeting be organised in any open place.
The discussion should remain confined to party activities, organisational affairs and issues related to elections only.
‘No discussions or decisions other than these issues will be allowed.’
The circular said that the electronic media would not be allowed to broadcast the meetings live, but they will be permitted to broadcast reports and video footages as part of their news bulletins.
Use of loudspeakers will be prohibited during the meetings, according to the circular.
Civil and political rights were suspended with the promulgation of the state of emergency on January 11, 2007, a day before Fakhruddin Ahmed assumed office.
There was limited political activism in the initial period of the state of emergency, but the government on March 8, 2008 tightened the restriction, banning all sorts of political activities, including those indoors, under the Emergency Powers Rules.
The EPR, framed under the Emergency Powers Ordinance 2007, stated that ‘provocative’ activities, including meetings, gatherings, processions, rallies, hartals, exhibitions, blockades, strikes, lock-outs and other functions of political parties, trade unions, clubs or associations, have been suspended until further order or until the state of emergency is withdrawn.
The emergency rules also empower the government to arrest or detain any person or restrict entry, departure, stay or movement of any person to stop him from carrying out activities harmful to relations with any foreign country or against the public interest.
It prohibits the acts intended to create panic and anger against the government and any act that affects the country’s relations with other countries, said sources. It also prohibits activities intended to create animosity, hostility or hatred among different sections of society.
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