Article 30 Prior approval for foreign titles and honours
Prohibition of foreign titles, etc.
Public servants, politicians and prominent citizens offered state honours abroad need to seek approval first. It is a small but clear safeguard against foreign influence.
A foreign government decides to confer a state decoration on a Bangladeshi citizen, perhaps a diplomat, academic or business leader, in recognition of their work in strengthening ties between the two countries. The offer is welcome, but the Constitution adds an important condition.
Under Article 30, the citizen cannot simply accept the title, honour, award or decoration. Acceptance without prior approval would breach the Constitution, so the citizen must first apply through the proper government channel. Public officials are usually also bound by their own service rules.
The request goes to the President, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister under Article 48(3). If approval is granted, the citizen may lawfully accept the foreign honour. The approval is recorded so that there is a clear official trail.
With approval recorded, the citizen accepts the decoration at a ceremony. The paperwork shows the honour was received lawfully, protecting the citizen from any later question about foreign influence. Honours from private bodies or universities do not need this approval.
In plain English
How Article 30 works
Article 30 says a citizen of Bangladesh must get the President's prior approval before accepting any title, honour, award or decoration from a foreign state. The rule protects the independence of citizens, especially public figures, from foreign influence, and keeps official recognition under national control. It applies to awards given by foreign governments, not to prizes from private bodies or universities, which are not foreign states. The article was substituted in 1988 by the Eighth Amendment, which added the word "award" to the list. In practice, the approval is processed through the government, and the President acts on advice under Article 48(3).
In practice
Article 30 operates mainly through administrative practice: citizens, particularly government officials and public figures, seek approval through the relevant ministry before accepting foreign state honours, and the President acts on the Prime Minister's advice. The rule applies only to honours from foreign states, so international prizes from private foundations or universities do not need approval under this article. There are no widely reported court cases interpreting it. It sits alongside the Constitution's broader concern with national sovereignty and independent foreign policy in Article 25.
The text
What Article 30 says
[30. No citizen shall, without the prior approval of the President, accept any title, honour, award or decoration from any foreign state.]
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
History
Amendments
- Eighth Amendment 1988Article 30 was substituted by section 5 of the Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act 1988; the current text covers any title, honour, award or decoration from a foreign state.
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Article 30: frequently asked questions
What is Article 30 of the Constitution of Bangladesh?
Article 30 provides that no citizen may accept any title, honour, award or decoration from a foreign state without the prior approval of the President. It guards against foreign influence over citizens and public officials.
Does Article 30 apply to international prizes from private bodies?
No. The article covers titles, honours, awards and decorations from a foreign state. Prizes from private foundations, universities or international organisations that are not states fall outside its wording, although officials may face separate service rules.
Sources
This guide explains the Constitution for general understanding. It is not legal advice. Constitutional reform proposals under discussion in 2026 are described as proposals until enacted.
Constitutional and writ practice
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