Desk Report
Publish: 25 Jul 2022, 10:08 pm
Photo: Collected
The
Cabinet on Monday approved an amendment to the British-era Evidence Act that
will disallow questioning about a rape survivor’s character during court trial handing
a key victory to the rights groups who find the provision insulting to victims.
The
draft of the Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2022 sailed through Cabinet at its meeting
chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who joined it through a virtual
platform from her official residence Ganobhaban.
The
proposed amendment seeks to restrict section 146(3) of the Evidence Act so
victims cannot be asked “obnoxious questions” regarding their character without the court’s permission, according to a media briefing by Cabinet Secretary Khandker
Anwarul Islam.
“Some
amendments were brought in the draft law as the digital court has been
recognized,” he said.
He said
there is a tendency to question the character of victims on the opponent's side.
“In the draft law, there is a restriction on it. The permission will have to be
taken from the court to raise questions over the character of anyone
straightway,” he said.
According
to the proposed law, digital records will be accepted as evidence, he said,
adding that data alongside information can also be used.
The
authorities concerned have been asked to translate the law (The Evidence Act,
1872) into Bangla immediately, he said.
Besides,
the Cabinet in principle approved the draft of the Village Court (Amendment) Act,
2022 changing the provision to dispose of a case within 15 days instead of 30
days as well as incorporating the word ‘child’ in place of ‘Nabalok’ (minor
child).
As per
the draft law, no child can be produced before the village court and the child
will be defined as per the Children Act, said the top bureaucrat.
He said
the court can raise the maximum compensation of Tk 300,000, which was Tk 75,000
in the Children Act, 2013.
The
Cabinet also cleared the draft of the Marine Fishing Guideline, 2022.
The
Cabinet directed the Fisheries Department to mark the marine fishing vessels
with specific colour and number within four months as it would take time to
bring all the vessels under the registration process.
Khandker
Islam said the number of marine fishing vessels might be more than 10,000.
The
Cabinet gave the final approval to Bangladesh Art-Design Act, 2022 aiming to
protect intellectual properties.
The
properties that go against ethics, public order, and welfare of the people would
not get the protection under the law, said Khandker Islam adding that
unregistered arts or designs would not get protection as well.
The
meeting cleared the draft bilateral agreement overflight operation between
Bangladesh and Rwanda.
The
meeting asked the authorities concerned to assess the economic aspects further
before signing the agreement.
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