Bangladesh: Death penalty in draft terrorism law

The Bangladesh government is considering a new anti-terrorism law that would provide the death penalty for terrorism offences.

Bangladesh news service The New Nation reports that the Cabinet considered a draft of the anti-terrorism law at its meeting on Monday 13 March. The meeting agreed to form a Cabinet Committee to consider the draft in detail.

The draft law includes new provisions relating to involvement in, sponsoring or financing terrorist activities.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed told journalists that the Cabinet Committee would review the draft law and submit a final draft within 30 days.

He said there would be varying punishments for terrorism offences.

"Death penalty would remain as the maximum punishment in the new law," he said.