Human rights activists have raised fears about new security laws in Bangladesh.

The Public Safety Act gives the authorities sweeping powers of arrest and detention.

Special tribunals will try those the government calls terrorists and enemies of the state.

Human rights activists, who fear that the act may lead to summary trials for opposition members, are calling it the Black Law.

It was passed after only a brief debate, as the opposition has been boycotting parliament for more than a year.

Human rights lawyers say Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's ruling Awami League party may use the new law to try to stop the opposition continuing to call general strikes.

The opposition has already announced a strike on Wednesday and Thursday in protest against the law, although it itself introduced similar measures, albeit temporarily, when it was in power eight years ago.

At least 30 working days were lost last year through political strikes, although a better term might be economic shutdowns, as many people want to work but don't dare brave the violence which generally accompanies the strikes.

Death sentence

Opposition leaders have repeatedly rejected the government's calls to return to parliament.

Instead, they've threatened to bring the economy to a standstill unless the government resigns.

The government however seems determined to stay in power until the general election due next year.

It also wants to prevent disruption during an expected visit next month by President Clinton, the first to Bangladesh by a serving US president.

At the same time, another law has been passed which provides for the possibility of the death sentence for rapists and child molesters.

The government says it's determined to improve law and order, following several high-profile murders and rapes.