DHAKA: A coalition of human rights campaigners Tuesday condemned the ‘Vested Property Act’ as contradictory to the UN Human Rights Charter and the national constitution and demanded of the government to introduce the proposed amended law in the next parliament session.

The demand came from a press conference jointly organized at the National Press Club by Nijera Kori, the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Ain O Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Vested (Enemy) Property Law Protest Movement.

The speakers said the vested property law is not consistent with the constitution’s article 27, 28(1) and article 29 and with all international treaties, including the UN Human Rights Charter.

They also deplored that the Prime Minister has directed all the ministries concerned and parliamentary committees to discuss with experts and representatives the matter of amending the vested property act but the authorities concerned did not sit yet.

Khushi Kabir, Coordinator of Nijera Kori, said, “We are demanding instant action according to the direction of the PM.”

Eminent economist Prof. Abul Barkat, also Chairman of Janata Bank, said government is custodian of the property but not the owner when a person flees a country for any reason.

He observed Pakistan unfairly kept the Hindu community’s property under the Enemy Property Act 1965, when the owners left the land. He resented that the legacy continued also after the independence of Bangladesh.  

“But the vision of the government is to build up a non-communal, progressive and liberal democratic country by 2021. So, the government should return the property to the owners in principle,” the economist pleaded.

They placed 6-point amendment proposals, including setting the definition of vested property, forming tribunal at district level and cacellation of the word ‘Abbahato (continous)’ from ‘Abbahato Bangladesher Nagorik Hon’ sentence defining the citizens.

Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, General Secretary of the Vested (Enemy) Property Law Protest Movement, and Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of ALRD, also addressed the press meet.

BDST: 1520 HRS, May 25, 2010
RT/MMA/MUA