Constitution of Bangladesh

The Constitution of Bangladesh (Bengali: বাংলাদেশের সংবিধান Bangladesher Shongbidhan) is the supreme law of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. It was adopted on November 4, 1972. The constitution establishes a unitary state and a Westminster form of unicameral parliamentary democracy. It was originally handwritten in Bangla. A handwritten copy of the Constitution with signature from the constituent assembly members, is kept at the Attorney General's office in Dhaka. At present Bangladesh's Constitution and some other laws are available in English as well In Bangla. Following an Act of Parliament requiring all laws to be enacted in Bangla in 1987, laws made in Parliament are drafted in Bangla.

The document's original drafters, notably Kamal Hossain, have called for major reforms to bring it in line with the 21st-century.

The preamble states the fundamental principles of the Bangladeshi republic, although it is not enforceable in a court of law.

We, the people of Bangladesh, having proclaimed our independence on the 26th day of March, 1971 and through a historic struggle for national liberation, established the independent, sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh;

Pledging that the high ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to, and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their lives in, the national liberation struggle, shall be the fundamental principles of the Constitution;

Further pledging that it shall be a fundamental aim of the State to realise through the democratic process a socialist society, free from exploitation a society in which the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens;

Affirming that it is our sacred duty to safeguard, protect and defend this Constitution and to maintain its supremacy as the embodiment of the will of the people of Bangladesh so that we may prosper in freedom and may make our full contribution towards international peace and co operation in keeping with the progressive aspirations of mankind;

...
Wikipedia