Bangladesh to Enact Chemical Weapons Ban

Bangladesh is finalizing a law that would outlaw the development, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons in the country, The Daily Star reported today (see GSN, June 17).

Parliament is expected during its next session to consider a bill prepared by the prime minister’s office, according to the Star.

“As a signatory to the [Chemical Weapons Convention], we have to enact a law to implement the convention,” said Mahbubur Rahman, former army chief and defense advisor to the prime minister.

The draft bill proposes punishment of up to 14 years in prison and fines of up to $838 for the violation of any provision of the act, according to the Star.

The proposed Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act-2005 also calls for formation of an agency to supervise governmental and private use of chemicals. The agency would work with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to ensure Bangladesh complies with all aspects of the treaty, Mahbub said (Shakhawat Liton, The Daily Star, Dec. 9).

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