Parliament has passed a proposal to amend the Maritime Zones Act to include a provision for maximum life imprisonment for piracy at sea. On 28 November, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen proposed to pass the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones (Amendment) Bill-2021 in Parliament to amend the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974, which was passed by voice vote. Earlier, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury sent the public opinion on the bill to the Verification and Selection Committee and settled the amendment proposal.
With the passing of the bill, Bangladesh’s sovereign rights over inland waters and territorial waters, exclusive economic zone up to 200 nautical miles and continental shelf up to 350 nautical miles have been established.
The bill calls for the death penalty for anyone who commits murder over piracy, armed robbery, and sea terrorism. And the punishment for piracy or maritime terrorism will be maximum life imprisonment. A maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment and fine has been decided for any person who attempts or aids in piracy or terrorism. This law will be applicable in conducting arrest and investigation of criminals if any crime is committed on a foreign ship while it is in territorial waters.
