 What is a constitution?

 Aristotle: Constitution is the way of life the state has chosen for itself. 

 A constitution is a body of fundamental rules, written or unwritten, which

determines the organization or structure of the government, distribute
powers and determines the relationship among the organs of the government.

 
The Constitution of Bangladesh was signed on 4 November 1972 and
came into force on 16 December 1972.

It was initially written in English and later translated in Bengali.

 What is rights?

Rights is the claim of some interest by individuals or groups which

is essential for his/their improvement in society.
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings,
whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or
ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status
without discrimination.

These rights are all

interrelated, interdependent
and indivisible.
Fundamental rights are a generally regarded as set of
legal protections in the context of a legal system, where
in such system is itself based upon this same set of basic,
fundamental, or inalienable rights.

These are written down in the constitution of a state and

protected by constitutional guarantees.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF
STATE POLICY

1. Nationalism.

2. Socialism and freedom from

exploitation.

3. Democracy and human rights.

4. Secularism and freedom of religion. 

Bangladesh has 18 Fundamental Rights written
in it’s constitution from Article 26 to 47A.
 Article 26

Laws Inconsistent with Fundamental Rights to be Void

All laws inconsistent with the Fundamental Rights on the
commencement of the constitution shall become void and the state
shall not make any laws inconsistent with the rights either.
 Article 27

Equality Before Law

Everyone is equal in front of the law and everyone is subjected to

the same laws of justice.
 Article 28

Discrimination on grounds of religion etc

No one is to be discriminated on grounds of race, religion, sex,

place of birth and women shall have equal rights with men.
 Article 29

Equality of opportunity in public employment

Everyone shall have equal rights in public job sectors

regardless of ones’ religion, sex.
 Article 30

Prohibition of foreign titles, etc

No citizen shall, without the prior approval of the

president, accept any title, honor, award or decoration
from any foreign state
 Article 31

Right to protection of law

Every citizen and person residing in Bangladesh is protected by the

law
 Article 32

Protection of Right to life and personal liberty

No personal shall be derived of life on personal liberty saved in

accordance with law
 Article 33
Safeguards as to arrest and detention

• No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without

being informed nor shall he be denied the right to consult and be
defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.

• Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be

produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty
four hours of arrest.
 Article 34

Prohibition of forced labor

All forms of forced labor are prohibited and any contravention of

this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with
law.
 Article 35

Protection in respect of trial and punishment

• Every person awaiting trial is protected from torture or inhuman

punishment prior or after the trial.

• Fair trial for every citizen.

 Article 36

Freedom of movement

Every citizen shall have the right to move freely throughout

Bangladesh, to reside and settle in any place therein and to leave
and re-enter Bangladesh provided there is no restrictions.
 Article 37
Freedom of assembly

Every citizen shall have the right to assemble and to participate in

public meetings peacefully and without arms, unless the
government imposes any restrictions in respect to protecting public
order or health. 
 Article 38

Freedom of Association

Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions,

unless the government imposes any restrictions in respect to
protecting interests of morality or public order.
 Article 39

Freedom of thought and conscience, and of speech

• Every citizen shall have the freedom of thought and conscience

unless any restrictions imposed by the government.

• Right of every citizen to freedom of speech and expression; and

freedom of the press.
 Article 40

Freedom of profession or occupation

Every person has the right to choose their profession and practice it
provided it is lawful.
 Article 41

Freedom of religion

• Every citizen has the right to follow and practice any religion

• Every religious community or denomination has the right to

establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions
 Article 42

Rights to property

Everyone has the right to own property alone and no one shall be
arbitrarily deprived of his property.
 Article 43

Protection of home and correspondence

Every citizen shall have the right to be secured in his home against
entry, search and seizure.
 Article 44

Enforcement of Fundamental Rights

The right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of any of the
fundamental rights is itself a fundamental right.
 Article 45

Modification of rights in respect of disciplinary

law
 Article 46

Power to provide Indemnity

 Article 47

Saving for certain laws

Purposes of the Introduction of the Fundamental
Rights

• Ensure some amount of security and protection to various types of

minorities

• Brought fair law and justice to every citizen of the country

• Ensured equal rights and law for everyone

• No discrimination on grounds of sex, religion etc and law available to
take action against such discrimination

• Protection of prisoners from inhuman punishments

• True democracy introduced

Thank you