page_title: Human rights in Bangladesh
section_title: Article 70: Free votes in parliament
hierarchical_section_title: Human rights in Bangladesh / Article 70: Free votes in parliament
caption_attribution_description: বাংলা: জাতীয় সংসদ ভবন, ঢাকা, বাংলাদেশ।English: Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban,Dhaka, Bangladesh
context_page_description: Human rights in Bangladesh are enshrined as fundamental rights in Part III of the Constitution of Bangladesh. However, constitutional and legal experts believe many of the country's laws require reform to enforce fundamental rights and reflect democratic values of the 21st century. Proposed reforms include strengthening parliamentary supremacy, judicial independence, the separation of powers, repealing laws which restrain freedom of the press and disbanding security agencies which violate civil liberties.
  Even though Bangladesh has Islam as its state religion and has constitutional references to Hindus, Christians and Buddhists; the political system is modeled as a secular democracy. Governments have generally respected freedom of religion, a cornerstone of the Bangladeshi constitution. However, police have been slow in responding to and investigating attacks against minorities, opposition activist & Supporter in fact Police brutally suppress any rightful protest against Government, According to Human Right watch around five hundred people have been disappeared since last ten years.
context_section_description: Article 70 of the Constitution of Bangladesh is described as one of the most significant constraints on Bangladesh's democracy. The article restricts free votes in parliament. This means MPs have no voting freedom. According to the article, MPs will lose their seats if they vote against their party. Critics have argued the article tramples free speech in parliament itself. As a result, parliament has been termed a rubber stamp and a lame duck.
caption: Parliament is not allowed to have free votes due to Article 70
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