‘Access to justice goes beyond dispute resolution’

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday said ensuring access to justice is integral to protecting human rights, with the state responsible for ensuring citizens can exercise their inherent and universal rights.

He made the remarks while inaugurating a two-day coordination meeting on the “Accelerating Digital Legal Aid Services in Bangladesh” project at BRAC-CDM in Rajendrapur, Gazipur.

Access to justice must go beyond simply resolving disputes or facilitating mediation, as its central purpose is to preserve, protect and ensure the human rights of every citizen, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said.

“Access to justice is not limited to dispute resolution or mediation; rather, its core objective is to preserve, protect and ensure the human rights of every citizen. Even a person accused of a serious crime has the right to defend themselves and the state must ensure that right,” he said.

Judges, legal aid officers and other relevant stakeholders are taking part in the two-day meeting. The minister urged judges not to confine themselves to the “black letters of the law” when interpreting legislation.

Instead, they should consider the facts of individual cases, their social context and the broader objectives of justice, he said.

Asaduzzaman also directed the Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid to take steps to recognise eight “Best Legal Aid Officers”-one from each of the country’s eight divisions-for outstanding and exemplary performance in providing legal aid services.

He also called for initiatives to recognise 20 judicial officers nationwide for their outstanding and exemplary performance in the judiciary.

Such recognition would encourage officials to improve their performance, he said, adding that it would also be positively considered in providing financial incentives and priority in promotions and important postings.

The meeting was chaired by Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid Md Monjurul Hossain.

UNDP Bangladesh Senior Rule of Law, Justice and Security Adviser Romana Schweiger, EU Charge d’Affaires to Bangladesh Baiba Zarina and Law and Justice Division Secretary Liaquet Ali Molla also spoke.

The second day of the meeting, scheduled for August 16, will focus on training, the activities of Legal Aid Committees and the preservation and reporting of legal aid-related data, with district and sessions judges taking part in the discussions.

The meeting will also review ways to ensure judicial services and legal aid for women, persons with disabilities and people living in poverty.

Participants will further identify areas where digital services can be improved to expand access to legal aid and judicial services.