It is similar to the penal codes of countries formerly part of the British Empire in South and Southeast Asia, including Singapore, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

While its objective is to provide a general penal code for Bangladesh,[1] other criminal law statutes have also been enacted by the Bangladeshi parliament.

While the United Kingdom has phased out penalties for seditious libel, its continued presence in the Bangladeshi penal code has been used by the government to target to leading journalists and politicians.

[3] Section 309 criminalizes suicide, which hinders prevention, seeking support and counsel, as well as proper reporting.

[4] Capital punishment remains legal in Bangladesh, although other common law countries like the United Kingdom and Canada have abolished the death penalty.