US Constitution Day  observed at DU

Dhaka University’s (DU) Law faculty and U.S. Embassy in Dhaka jointly observed U.S. Constitution Day on Thursday.

The day’s programme  ws held at the DU’s  Nobab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building. Speakers discussed constitutional governance, rule of law and democratic values.

Law minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman attended the vent as the chief guest, while U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen was guest of honour. 

DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Abdus Salam attended as special guest. Law faculty Dean Prof Dr Muhammad Ekramul Haque chaired the event. 

Prof Salam described the U.S. Constitution as an important document in modern constitutional history, citing separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of law and protection of fundamental rights among its features.

Bangladesh also has a constitutional tradition shaped by its history, Liberation War and the aspirations of its people, he added.

Comparative discussion between the constitutional experiences of Bangladesh and the United States, he added, could contribute to a deeper understanding of constitutional principles.

Ambassador Christensen said, the U.S. Constitution begins with the words ‘We the People’ and was framed in Philadelphia in 1787 amid disagreements among its drafters. 

The constitutional system was designed to prevent any single person or institution from exercising unchecked power through separation of powers and mutual checks, he added.

Christensen said, Constitution Day, observed annually on September 17 in the United States, provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s constitutional traditions and democratic values. He also noted that the U.S. Constitution has been amended over time to accommodate changing circumstances.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman said, the U.S. Constitution institutionalised principles of democracy, liberty and the rule of law. He said comparative study of judicial review, separation of powers, fundamental rights and constitutional limits on state authority could deepen constitutional understanding.