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DHAKA, April 9 (AFP) - The Bangladesh parliament Tuesday adopted a tough new law that will speed up trials to counter rising crimes, despite opposition criticism that the bill could target them.

The Law and Order Disruptive Crimes (Speedy Trial) Bill, 2002, piloted by Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, was passed in the opposition-boycotted house, the official BSS news agency reported.

The bill, to come into effect after being signed by President Badruddoza Chowdhury, contains provisions for the speedy trial of terorists, extortionists and hijackers, Chowdhury said.

The draft was earlier approved by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's cabinet to replace largely similar measures adopted when her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina Wajed was in power, but which have been scrapped by the new parliament.

Under the new law, trials have to be completed within one month, down from 90 days.

The magistrates would also be able to record witness accounts on the spot and accept audio and videotapes as evidence.

The proposal comes six months after Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in an alliance that includes Islamist parties, swept to power on promises to curb rampant crime, which a human rights group last week reported was rising.

The opposition Awami League earlier termed the bill a black law and vowed to oppose it, arguing that it was aimed at curbing opposition movements, including street campaigns and general strikes.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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