Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh

The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh was passed on 30 June 2011. This amendment made some significant changes to the constitution:

Amendments

• Incorporated four original fundamental state policies of the 1972 constitution nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism.
• Increased number of women reserved seats to 50 from existing 45.
• After article 7 it inserted articles 7(a) and 7(b) in a bid to end take over of power through extra-constitutional means. Section 7(b) declared the basic provisions of the constitution "non-amendable".
• Added provision for the protection and improvement of the environment and biodiversity.
• Added provision for protecting the culture of tribes, ethnic communities, and minor races .
• Abolished the caretaker government system which was incorporated through 13th amendment to the constitution in 1996 but later ruled out by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
• Acknowledged Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.
• Abolished referendum system from the constitution.
• Participation in election declared illegal for those who have been convicted of crimes against humanity during 1971 liberation war.
• State of emergency can not be continued for more than 120 days.
• Inserted three new schedules at the end of the constitution which are 7 March Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Declaration of Independence by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 25 March 1971 midnight, and Proclamation of Independence by the Mujibnagar Government on 10 April 1971.