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Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) vs. Bangladesh


Case Name
Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) vs. Bangladesh, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping
Case NumberWrit Petition No. 7260 of 2008
Practice AreaEnvironmental Law
Case Type
Writ Petition
Type of DocumentJudgment
Court NameSupreme Court of Bangladesh (High Court Division)
KeywordsShip-breaking, No Objection Certificate (NOC), environmental clearance, hazardous waste materials, cancellation of NOC, toxic substances, risk to health, Clearance Certificate, lead, asbestos, PVC, directions issued by the Court.
Judgment Date
05.03.2009 and 17.02.2009
Cases ReferredDr. Mohiuddin Farooque vs. Bangladesh [55 DLR 69];
Research Foundation of Science vs. Technology National Resource Policy, Supreme Court of India.
Law ReferredThe Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,
Societies Registration Act, 1860,
Basel Convention, 1989,
Bangladesh Environment Protection Act, 1995,
Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006,
Environment Protection Rules, 1997,
Import Policy Order 2006-2009,
Hazardous Waste Management and Handling Rules, 1989 (India).
Companies/ Organizations ReferredM/S Madina Enterprise, Yalumba Inc., Greenpeace, Department of Shipping, Caseth Marine Consulting (S) PTE Ltd., Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association (BSBA), Waste Concern, Yalumba Inc.
People ReferredProfessor Dr. Altab Uddin, Mr. Iftekhar Enayetullah, M Shahadat Hossain, Sayedur R. Chowdhury, S.M Abdul Jabbar
Publications ReferredDet Norske Veritas (DNV) report;
Law Environment and Development Journal (LEAD);
“Occupational Health Hazards of Ship Scrapping Workers at Chittagong Coastal Zone, Bangladesh”, Chiang Mai University Journal;
2001 Factsheet by U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Lawyers’ NamesFor the Petitioner: Mr. Fida M. Kamal with Mr. M Iqbal Kabir

For Respondent No. 6: Mr. Nazrul Islam Talukder with Mr. Nowazish Ara Begum.

For Respondent No. 17: Mr. Md Oziullah with Ms. Amatul Karim

For Respondent No. 8: Ms. Fawzia Karim Firoze
Judges’ NamesMr. Justice Md. Imman Ali and Mr. Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal
Author JudgeMd. Imman Ali, J

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