Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said all activities of the interim government will be legalised through an amendment to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.
He made the announcement at a press briefing at the Home Ministry in the Secretariat while addressing the status of 133 ordinances placed before Parliament.
The minister said a referendum has already been held and is legally valid, arguing that no new law is required. “Once the activities of the previous government are legalised, the referendum will also stand validated,” he added.
Highlighting legislative progress, he said the government completed work on 133 ordinances during the first session of the 13th National Parliament to ensure constitutional continuity. Despite fewer working days due to holidays such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Shab-e-Barat, the process was concluded through coordinated efforts of various ministries.
He noted that the bills were tabled and passed under the Speaker’s special authority in line with parliamentary rules. In the absence of standing committees, a Special Parliamentary Committee reviewed the ordinances.
According to him, the committee recommended passing 98 ordinances without changes, while 16 will be reconsidered in the next session. Others were either amended or repealed.
Responding to confusion over the number of bills, Salahuddin said each ordinance was duly presented, even where multiple amendments were involved.
On the proposed “July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum” bill, he said the government remains open to discussion and further review to enhance transparency.
The minister added that while the opposition has the right to walk out of Parliament, spreading misleading information outside the House is unacceptable. He said the Speaker allowed adequate time for debate and recorded all objections.
Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni were also present.
The Law Minister said 16 ordinances were held back for further scrutiny, dismissing claims that they had been abandoned. “Some quarters are creating unnecessary confusion,” he said.
He added that 110 ordinances were presented through 91 bills, all of which were passed. Of these, 97 were approved without change, 13 with amendments, and seven as repeal bills.
Explaining the repeals, he said laws concerning the Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court judges, and the Supreme Court Secretariat require deeper review.
He also pointed to gaps in the law on enforced disappearances, particularly in definitions and trial procedures, and shortcomings in the Human Rights Commission law regarding investigation, penalties, and compensation.
Consultations with stakeholders will continue, with further discussions likely after mid-May, he said.
Drawing a comparison, the minister noted that between 2007 and 2009 only 54 out of 122 ordinances were enacted into law, whereas the current government has converted a significantly higher number and outlined plans for the rest.
