Anti-terrorism Act, 2009

Anti-terrorism Act, 2009 is a Bangladeshi legislative act that is designed to specifically target terrorism.[1]

History

The Law was formulated by the Grand Alliance government led by Bangladesh Awami League in 2009. The law was given retrospective effect from 11 June 2008. The law was designed to target terrorists and financial institutions used by them.[2] In 2012 amendment changed the highest punishment under the act to the death penalty. In 2013 another amendment allowed for social media content to be entered as evidence.[3]

Criticism

Human rights group, Odhikar, has called for the law to be repealed describing the act as a total for repression on those opposed to the government.[4] Cases under this act need government approval for trials to begin, which are sometimes delayed, thus effectively placing the cases in legal limbo.[5]

References
  1. "Anti Terrorism Act, 2009" (PDF). satp.org. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  2. Ali, AMM Shawkat. "Anti-terrorism Act, 2009". en.banglapedia.org. Banglapedia. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  3. "Bangladesh: New Amendment to Anti-Terrorism Act gags Freedom of Expression". Worldwide Movement for Human Rights (in French). Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  4. "Odhikar's concern about Anti-Terrorism Act 2009". odhikar.org. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  5. "27 anti-terror cases stuck". The Daily Star. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
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