The decisions taken in the meeting of the advisory council

Interim government chief adviser Nobel laureate. The Advisory Council (Cabinet) meeting was held under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus.

The advisory council meeting started at 11 am on Thursday (August 29) at the Rashtriya Guest House Yamuna. Before that, advisers were seen entering the Yamuna from 10 am. The meeting lasted till half past two in the afternoon.

Final approval of three drafts was given in the meeting. Besides, the International Convention on Missing Persons has been signed.

Approval of draft repeal of Sheikh Mujib Family Security Act

In-principle and final approval has been given to the draft of 'Security of Family Members of the Father of the Nation (Repeal) Ordinance, 2024'. This approval was given in the advisory council meeting on Thursday. In this regard, the notification published by the Cabinet Department said that the Act was made to provide state special benefits to members of a family only, which is a clear discrimination. The current interim government is committed to eradicating all discrimination after the anti-discrimination student uprising. It is necessary to take immediate action and issue an ordinance to repeal this Act as the Parliament is 'in a state of disintegration'. In this context, the draft 'Security of Family Members of the Father of the Nation (Repeal) Ordinance, 2024' was finally approved by the Advisory Council meeting subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department. Earlier, in 2009, the “Father of the Nation Family-Members Security Act, 2009 was enacted and promulgated. Later in 2015, a gazette was issued to provide special security and facilities under the Act.

Bangladesh has signed the International Convention on Missing Persons

Bangladesh has signed the International Convention on Protection of Citizens from Disappearance on Thursday. The chief adviser of the interim government signed the UN agreement at the weekly meeting of the advisory council on Tuesday. Muhammad Yunus. International Day for Victims of Enforced Disappearance is observed on August 30 every year. Bangladesh signed it a day before the day this year. Professor Muhammad Yunus termed this moment as 'historic'. Earlier this week, the interim government set up a commission to investigate every case of disappearance by security forces during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule.

Approved the motion to ratify the BBNJ Agreement

The objectives of the BBNJ Agreement, signed in 2023, are to ensure ecological balance in the deep sea, conservation of biodiversity, management of other marine genetic resources, recognition of management and conservation of genetic resources, enhancement of mutual cooperation among states, identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems or Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMES), technology Transfer, prevention, reduction and control of ocean pollution etc. The BBNJ Agreement recognizes the need for capacity building and technology transfer for developing countries to enable them to participate fully in the conservation and sustainable management of the deep sea. Capacity building, transfer of marine technology, economic and non-financial benefits of MGR as per 'principle of common heritage of mankind' have been recognized in BBNJ Agreement. It will be possible to get a fair share in this regard. In this context, the proposal to ratify the 'Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)' was approved at the advisory council meeting.

Final approval of draft 'Special Security Forces (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024'

The 'Special Security Forces Act, 2021' was enacted to provide security to the President, Prime Minister, 'family members of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' and persons declared as the Head of State or Government and very important persons of any State. In view of the popular uprising of the students, an interim government was formed on August 8, 2024, consisting of the Chief Advisor and other advisors. In such changing circumstances, security of the Chief Adviser needs to be ensured under the 'Special Security Forces Act, 2021'. Besides, under the existing law, the provisions related to the provision of security to the family members of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, cannot be implemented in the administrative management, as it was felt necessary to cancel some of the provisions of the said law by adding the issue of the security provision of the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government to the Special Security Force. Amendment Ordinance 2024' was unanimously approved at the Advisory Council meeting.

Bangladesh /SBT