The interim government of Bangladesh has recently revoked the special security provisions granted to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close relatives. This decision comes just days after the government had already stripped them of their diplomatic passports.
As reported by the official BSS news agency, the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, took steps to amend the Special Security Force Act 2021, thereby ending state-provided security benefits for Hasina and her family members.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 following the dissolution of Parliament by President Mohammad Shahabuddin, is currently facing over 75 legal cases in Bangladesh. Almost half of these cases include serious charges such as murder.
The interim government, which was formed in response to a large-scale student-led uprising, has prioritized the elimination of discriminatory practices. According to the Chief Adviser’s office, the previous law unjustly favored a single family by providing them with state benefits, which the new administration aims to rectify.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a member of the advisory council, emphasized that the decision to amend the law aligns with the government’s strong anti-discrimination policies. In addition to these changes, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also annulled the diplomatic passports held by Hasina, her advisors, former cabinet members, and their spouses and children.
In another significant move, the government has ratified the Instrument of Accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. This act highlights the government’s commitment to addressing and investigating cases of enforced disappearances, further showcasing its dedication to upholding human rights.
