Human rights activists and opposition leaders in Bangladesh have condemned a proposed new security law, which they say could be used to jail members of the opposition.

The new Public Security Bill gives the government sweeping powers of arrest and detention and provides for special tribunals to try those the government calls terrorists and enemies of the state.

Human rights activists say the law which has been approved by cabinet but has yet to be passed by parliament infringes civil liberties and could mean summary trials for opposition members. The BBC Dacca correspondent says the measures were introduced following criticism of the government for its failure to counter growing lawlessness, despite being elected on the promise to improve law and order.

Our correspondent says, with a general election due next year, the government is determined to improve its image.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service