Bangladesh passes law to impeach judges

Bangladesh's parliament has approved legislation amending the country's constitution to allow the impeachment of Supreme Court judges.

The amendment passed unanimously in a voice vote of 327-0, with support coming from the ruling Awami League.

Critics of the amendment, including senior jurists, said it was a thinly veiled way for the ruling party to keep the judiciary under control.

The law minister, who proposed the change, said the amendment allows parliament to impeach judges on grounds of "misbehavior or incapacity".

Previously a council of senior judges led by the Chief Justice was assigned to deal with any case of misconduct by judges.

BBC