Govt bans political activities; restricts provocative news

Dhaka, Jan 26 (UNI) The Bangladesh government has banned all political and trade union activities and restricted anti-government provocative news and television talk shows under the Emergency Powers Rules.

The restriction was put on processions, demonstrations, hartals, strikes, lockouts and trade union activities across the country to ensure security of the state and people, and maintain discipline in public life.

It has also banned student-teacher politics, and politics by government employees and their activities and the activities of professional bodies.

In case of violation of the restrictions, the offenders will have to suffer a maximum of five years or a minimum of two years rigorous imprisonment along with fine.

The ban has been made effective from January 12, 2007 through a gazette notification Thursday on the Emergency Powers Rules 2007 under the Emergency Powers Ordinance 2007. The gazette notification was made public tonight.

Under the notification, the government can ban any meeting, procession, siege, demonstration, speech, statement, any harmful news or information in the interest of the government, state or public security and peace.

The government can also restrict any publication or transmission of any anti-government news, editorials, post editorials, articles, features, cartoons, talk shows or discussion in print or in electronic media and any mass media, including the internet.

In violation of the restriction, the government will be able to proscribe any newspaper, book, document, printing press or equipment of electronic media.

The restriction has also been put on any provocative remarks or activities against the government and its programmes, drawing, cartoon or the effigy of an individual with ulterior political motive.

Political parties keep mum over the government restrictions.

On January 11, President Iajuddin Ahmed promulgated the state of emergency to quell months' political turmoil triggered over the general elections slated for January 22. The election has been postponed for an indefinite period.

UNI