Dhaka: A good number of bills were passed in the Parliament today related to the ministries of Water Resources, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Health and Family Welfare, transforming ordinances issued during the interim government into laws.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, there were no clause-wise amendment proposals in the bills, which led to the absence of discussions in the parliament. Once the relevant ministers introduced them, the bills were approved directly by voice votes under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram. Of the 133 ordinances issued during the interim government, the special parliamentary committee recommended the approval of 98 in their original form and 15 in amended form.
Out of the remaining 20, four bills were recommended for repeal, while 16 were suggested to be strengthened with new bills introduced later. The special committee recommended that the bills passed this morning be approved in their original form.
Among the bills passed, the ‘Haor and Wetland Conservation Bill, 2026’ was proposed by Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne and was passed by voice vote. Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman then proposed several bills, including the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which were passed separately by voice vote.
While proposing the bill related to the International Crimes Tribunal, the Law Minister highlighted that enforced disappearance is now included in the definition of crimes against humanity. He addressed criticisms regarding the government’s stance on enforced disappearances, emphasizing the government’s commitment to prosecuting such cases, as reflected in the law.
The speaker then proceeded with the passage of other bills, including those related to the Ministry of Health. In the absence of the Health Minister, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed presented three bills in the parliament. These included the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Sheikh Hasina Medical University (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Additionally, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Bill was presented in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain later proposed the passage of the ‘Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Medical University, Sylhet (Amendment) Bill, 2026,’ which was also passed by voice vote.