When addressing a rountable discussion on Thursday on the proposed Citizenship Act 2016, Minister for Law Anisul Huq clarified that the government would not allow any law to be passed that discriminates among citizens and curbs the rights of Non Resident Bangladeshis.
The roundtable was organised at Pan Pacific Sonargaon by the not for profit research based organisation Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshis, which is dedicated to ensuring the welfare of NRBs worldwide.
The draft Citizenship Act 2016 imposes restrictions on citizens born abroad and dual citizens, including deeming them ineligible to contest in a parliamentary election, hold the post of President or any local government position, or be appointed to any service, including becoming a justice of the Supreme Court. It also impedes them from being involved with any political party.
According to the minister, the government is scrutinising the rules and sub-rules of the Citizenship Act 2016.
“Sub section 2 and 3 of section 5 and subsection 2(gha) and 2(uma) of section 7 of the Citizenship Act, are ambiguous and will be repealed, amended or modified,” said Anisul.
He added: “The draft Citizenship Act 2016 will allow Bangladeshi expatriates to exercise their political rights and take part in elections in the country.”
“The current government will not enact any law that is not a people-friendly one. No law which can go against Non Resident Bangladeshis will be enacted in the country.”
Centre for NRB Chairperson MS Shekil Chowdhury, said in his keynote speech that the government should formulate laws after considering the interests of the 13 million Bangladeshis who are spread over 152 countries.
Monday, July 20, 2026
