Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009
Jatiya Sangsad
Long title Whereas it is expedient and necessary to make provisions for the prevention of certain terrorist activities effective punishment thereof and the matters ancillary thereto
Citation	Act No. 16 of 2009
Territorial extent	Bangladesh
Enacted by	Jatiya Sangsad
Enacted	24 February 2009
Assented to	24 February 2009
Commenced	11 June 2008
Status: Amended

This article is part of a series about Sheikh Hasina
Early life and education Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman First Premiership (1996–2001) Sharing the water of the Ganges Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 1996 Repeal of the Indemnity Act Ashrayan-1 D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation BIMSTEC 2001 Bangladesh–India border clashes Opposition Leader (2001–2009) 2004 Dhaka grenade attack 2006–2008 Bangladeshi political crisis Logi Boitha Movement Second Premiership (2009–2024) Vision 2021 Enforced disappearances in Bangladesh (Aynaghar) Bangladesh Rifles revolt Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 2012 Rakhine State riots International Crimes Tribunal 2013 Shahbag protests 2013 Bangladesh violence Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013 Padma Bridge graft scandal Young Bangla Attacks by Islamic extremists in Bangladesh July 2016 Dhaka attack Bangladesh Bank robbery 2015 Bangladeshi political crisis Indo-Bangla land boundary agreement, 2015 COVID-19 pandemic Ashrayan-2 State visit to China Student–People's uprising Resignation Parties and Alliances Awami League Grand Alliance Elections 1986 1988 1991 February 1996 June 1996 2001 2008 2014 2018 2024 Ministries First ministry Second ministry Third ministry Fourth ministry Fifth ministry National Projects Bangabandhu Bridge Forces Goal 2030 Digital Bangladesh Padma Bridge Dhaka–Jessore line Rampal Power Station Ganges Barrage Project Port of Payra Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Purbachal New Town Bangabandhu-1 MRT Line 6 Matarbari Port Others State visits Gallery: Picture, Sound, Video
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The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 (Bengali: সন্ত্রাস বিরোধী আইন, ২০০৯) is an Act passed by the Jatiya Sangsad in 2009 to grant the Government of Bangladesh additional powers to prevent and combat terrorism in Bangladesh.^[1] The Act was passed by the Awami League-led Grand Alliance led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following their victory in the 2008 general election. The statute has contributed to Bangladesh being ranked most successful in combatting terrorism in South Asia by the Global Terrorism Index.^[2]

The Law was formulated by the Grand Alliance government led by Bangladesh Awami League in 2009. The law was given retrospective effect from 11 June 2008. The law was designed to target terrorists and financial institutions used by them.^[3] The law introduced a stipulation that the Bangladesh Police must conclude an active terrorist investigation within 60 days.^[4]

The law was subsequently amended in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, it was amended to allow for capital punishment for certain offences under the Act. In 2013, it was amended to make admissible the use of online communications such as social media as evidence in court.^[2]

Human rights group, Odhikar, has called for the law to be repealed describing the act as a total for repression on those opposed to the government.^[5] Cases under this act need government approval for trials to begin, which are sometimes delayed, thus effectively placing the cases in legal limbo.^[6]