The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) today passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aiming to modernise existing legislation by incorporating provisions to ban not only entities but also\u00a0their activities and propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair, the\u00a0bill was placed and moved by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in the House\u00a0today. It seeks to replace the Anti-Terrorism Amendment) Ordinance, 2025,\u00a0which was promulgated during the tenure of the interim government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legislation introduces significant amendments to Sections 18 and 20 of\u00a0the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, with the objective of expanding the\u00a0government's authority to curb not just the existence of an organisation, but\u00a0its entire operational and digital footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the revised Section 18, the government will have explicit authority to\u00a0prohibit all activities of an entity, in addition to declaring it banned and\u00a0listing it in the official schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the Anti-Terrorism Act,\u00a02009 was enacted to prevent terrorist acts, ensure effective punishment, and\u00a0address related matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It allows the government, on reasonable grounds, to list individuals or\u00a0entities involved in terrorism in the schedule through a Gazette\u00a0notification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the existing law does not explicitly provide for banning the\u00a0activities of such entities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The amendment aims to address this gap and make the law more effective and up\u00a0to date. The ordinance amending Sections 18 and 20 was earlier issued on May\u00a011, 2025, during the interim government period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most stringent changes comes under Section 20, which introduces a\u00a0comprehensive communication blackout for banned entities. The new provisions\u00a0include a ban on issuing press releases, publications, and printed materials\u00a0on behalf of such entities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also prohibits all forms of propaganda through mass media, online\u00a0platforms, and social media. In addition, banned entities will not be allowed\u00a0to organise rallies, meetings, assemblies, press conferences, or deliver\u00a0public speeches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill also includes a repeal and savings clause. Once enacted, it will\u00a0repeal the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, while ensuring that\u00a0all actions taken under the ordinance remain valid under the new law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill was later passed by voice vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) today passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aiming to modernise existing legislation by incorporating provisions to ban not only entities but also\u00a0their activities and propaganda. With Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair, the\u00a0bill was placed and moved by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in the House\u00a0today. It […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":33480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[47],"class_list":["post-33479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide","tag-47"],"yoast_head":"\n