Legal Immunity for Presidents Limited to Tenure, Official Clarifies
Photo Collected
The Bangladeshi government has clarified that while a sitting president remains immune from legal prosecution, the post does not grant permanent indemnity, leaving former heads of state vulnerable to legal action for misconduct occurring outside their tenure. Jahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s press secretary, articulated this stance during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, emphasizing that the legal principle applies generally to any individual who has held the presidency.
Addressing inquiries regarding the legal status of former president Mohammed Shahabuddin, Rahman noted that while confusion exists surrounding the concept of immunity, the law is clear: a president cannot be summoned or prosecuted while in office. However, he stressed that this protection expires once the individual leaves the position, rendering them liable for any past or subsequent misconduct.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Turning to administrative reform, the government remains committed to initiating local government elections within this calendar year. Plans are also progressing to elevate Cox’s Bazar to the status of a city corporation, a move intended to modernize governance in the region.
The briefing also touched upon the recent compulsory retirement of 32 joint secretaries who served as deputy commissioners during the controversial 2018 national elections. While speculation has linked their dismissal to their roles in that electoral process, the advisor declined to confirm the specific rationale, citing the government’s broad authority under civil service laws. He noted that the government retains the right to mandate retirement for any official who has completed 25 years of service without the necessity of issuing a formal show-cause notice.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Regarding international diplomacy, Rahman indicated that the government has yet to decide whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the upcoming BRICS summit. As Bangladesh is not a member but has been invited to participate as an observer, the decision rests on whether such attendance aligns with national strategic interests. The advisor added that while such a summit would provide opportunities for bilateral meetings, formal discussions regarding participation have not yet commenced.
0%
0%
0%
0%
