[🇧🇩] Judiciary of Bangladesh.

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JUDICIARY INDEPENDENCE: Commissions for reform of constitution

The Judicial Reform Commission, in its full report, has recommended amendments, modifications, and additions to 32 articles of the constitution to enhance the judiciary’s institutional, financial, and functional independence.

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JUDICIARY INDEPENDENCE: Commissions for reform of constitution
M Moneruzzaman 17 February, 2025, 00:27

The Judicial Reform Commission, in its full report, has recommended amendments, modifications, and additions to 32 articles of the constitution to enhance the judiciary’s institutional, financial, and functional independence.

The proposed reforms also aim to redefine the roles and powers of the president and the prime minister in judicial affairs.

Senior lawyer Shahdeen Malik observed that the proposed amendments reflect a major shift toward judicial independence, reducing executive influence and strengthening institutional autonomy.

He said that the JRC recommendations aim to eliminate dual administration, establish transparent judicial appointment mechanisms, and reinforce the judiciary’s authority in governance.

The interim government has released the full reports of six commissions formed on October 3, 2024 in the first phase of its state reform initiatives.

Summaries of these reports were previously published after their submission to chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in January.

The complete reports were made available on February 8 on the websites of the Cabinet Division and the Constitutional Reform Commission.

The JRC proposed key amendments include an amendment to Article 48(3). The commission in the article proposed granting the president the authority to appoint Supreme Court judges, in addition to the chief justice and the prime minister, without requiring the prime minister’s advice.

Currently, the president must act on the prime minister’s advice in all matters except the appointment of the prime minister and the chief justice.

The CRC recommended that the president would appoint the chief justice, judges of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division, and the Comptroller and Auditor General through a prescribed method.

The power to determine the number of High Court and Appellate Division judges would shift from the president to the chief justice, who would make recommendations to the president, according to the JRC proposed amendment to Article 94(2).

The recommended amendment to Article 94(4) stipulates that all Supreme Court judges should be designated as Justice and allowed to perform public interest duties to enhance judicial efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the judiciary.

The JRC recommended an amendment to Article 95 to appoint the senior-most Appellate Division judge as the chief justice and establish a Judicial Appointment Commission to oversee Supreme Court appointments.

To insulate judicial appointments from political influence, the CRC proposed a seven-member Judicial Appointment Commission tasked with ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.

Additionally, it recommended that the most senior judge of the Appellate Division should be appointed as the chief justice.

The JRC recommended amending Article 96(1) to increase the retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 67 to 70.

According to JRC’s proposed amendment to Article 96(3), if allegations of misconduct or incapacity arise against the chief justice, a retired chief justice or retired Appellate Division judge, nominated by the president, would lead the Supreme Judicial Council instead of the sitting chief justice.

While advocating for the retention of the Supreme Judicial Council, the CRC suggested empowering a nine-member high-power National Constitutional Council beside the president to forward complaints of judicial misconduct to the SJC for investigation.

The JRC recommended amending Article 100 to give the chief justice the authority to establish High Court benches in each of the divisional headquarters outside the capital, subject to rules made under Article 107.

The CRC suggested decentralising the High Court by setting up permanent benches in each of the divisional headquarters and keeping the Appellate Division in the capital.

According to the JRC proposed amendment to Article 107, the Supreme Court would no longer require presidential approval to frame rules and regulations in governing its decisions, including those of the High Court, Appellate Division, and subordinate courts.

It also recommended a new definition of contempt of court by amending Article 108, saying that a new definition of contempt of court would be introduced, covering non-compliance with Supreme Court laws, decisions, orders, and directives, as well as any obstruction in their implementation.

It said that the Supreme Court would have the sole authority to investigate and impose penalties for contempt, including determining punishments and trial procedures.

According to the JRC-proposed amended Article 109, the Appellate Division would have supervisory control over the administrative management (but not judicial affairs) of subordinate tribunals, while the High Court Division would oversee the administrative management of subordinate courts and tribunals.

Both executive and judicial authorities would be explicitly required to comply with and enforce Supreme Court laws, decisions, orders, and directives, said the JRC proposed amendment to Article 112.

It proposed an amendment to Article 113 to establish a Supreme Court Secretariat to manage judicial functions. Additionally, the provision requiring presidential approval for the appointment of Supreme Court employees would be removed, shifting this authority to the chief justice and the Supreme Court.

The JRC proposed an amendment to Article 115 to create a Judicial Department to oversee courts and tribunals.

The president would appoint magistrates and judicial staff in consultation with the Supreme Court, replacing the current provision that grants the president sole authority over such appointments.

It also recommended an amendment to Article 116 to transfer the control over judicial personnel including posting, promotion, and discipline from the president to the Supreme Court.

However, presidential approval would still be required for promotions and dismissals.

The commission stated that this change aligned with the Supreme Court’s Masder Hossain case ruling and aimed to free the judiciary from executive influence.

The CRC recommended renaming subordinate courts as local courts and establishing a Judicial Secretariat under the Supreme Court.

This secretariat would handle the appointment, posting, promotion, leave, and disciplinary matters of judges in local courts, and oversee administrative functions, budgeting, and human resource management.

The JRC proposed an amendment to Article 49 to restrict the president’s power to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences. Such actions would be subject to guidelines and procedures established by law.

It also recommended an amendment to Article 55(2) to restrict the prime minister’ executive authority and ensure that the executive power of the Republic is exercised strictly in accordance with the constitution.

The JRC proposed an amendment to Article 55(8) to eliminate the president’s authority to make rules regarding the allocation and transaction of government business related to the judiciary.

According to the amendment to Article 99(1), retired chief justices, Appellate Division justices, and High Court justices would be barred from holding offices of profit or practicing in any court after retirement or resignation.

However, they could be appointed to judicial or quasi-judicial bodies to support judicial development.

A retired or resigned permanent High Court judge would be allowed to practice in the Appellate Division.

The JRC proposed adding a reference to a Bangladesh Attorney Service alongside the Attorney General in Parts IV and V of the Constitution.

This would establish a permanent attorney service for government law officers. A new department would be created to assist the attorney general, with its structure and appointments regulated under Article 133 relating to the appointment of SC staff.

The CRC also proposed the creation of the Bangladesh Attorney Service, a separate and permanent legal service headed by the attorney general.

Under this system, the attorney general’s office would be responsible for appointing all law officers in the courts.​

 

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CJ asks DCs to strengthen judicial cooperation

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Monday instructed the deputy commissioners to take firm measures in maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and upholding judicial directives.

www.newagebd.net

CJ asks DCs to strengthen judicial cooperation
M Moneruzzaman 17 February, 2025, 18:44

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. | File photo

DCs seek judicial clarity, quicker case disposal

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Monday instructed the deputy commissioners to take firm measures in maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and upholding judicial directives.

Addressing a session on the second day of the three-day DC conference at the Supreme Court Auditorium, the chief justice underscored the vital role of the district administrators in implementing court orders.

‘Article 112 of the Constitution mandates all executive and judicial authorities to support the Supreme Court and comply with its orders. No government directive, circular or notification can override or delay a Supreme Court order,’ he said.

Highlighting the interdependence of the judiciary and administration at the district level, he stated that while judiciary and administration have distinct functions, they are fundamentally linked in ensuring governance and justice.

‘You serve as the bridge between the executive authority and people, carrying the delicate task of maintaining law and order, overseeing development and upholding the dignity of the state,’ he told the DCs.

The chief justice reiterated the importance of collaboration between the administration and the judiciary, particularly in ensuring the prisoners’ rights, lawful detention and adherence to human rights standards in correctional facilities. He also called for regular inspections to prevent overcrowding, facilitate timely bail releases and strengthen accountability in the prison system.

On judicial reforms, he highlighted that since August 2024, the judiciary had been working on an internal policy blueprint, contributing to an evolving legal framework aimed at ensuring institutional independence.

Cabinet Division secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Supreme Court registrar general Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, Sylhet divisional commissioner Khan Md Reza-Un Nabi, Natore deputy commissioner Asma Shahin, and Jessore deputy commissioner Azharul Islam also spoke at the session on behalf of the DCs.

Sylhet divisional commissioner Khan Md Reza-Un Nabi urged the chief justice to issue guidelines ensuring that administrative officers were not personally held liable for actions taken in good faith while performing government duties. He stressed that officials should be given the right to defend themselves before facing legal action.

He also called for faster disposal of the government-related cases, pointing out that the DCs represent the state in civil disputes over government property. To reduce case backlogs, he suggested strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, promoting arbitration and Salish, and expanding speedy trial processes and virtual court operations.

Jessore deputy commissioner highlighted the legal risks executive magistrates face when operating mobile courts, particularly that of being accused of contempt of the Supreme Court.

He noted that young officers overseeing eviction drives as part of their additional duties often lack clarity on whether Supreme Court injunctions apply to certain properties, leaving them vulnerable to legal and professional consequences.

To address this, he proposed that district courts publish hearing dates, orders and verdicts on their websites, similar to the Supreme Court system, to improve access to judicial directives.

Additionally, he called for more effective district case coordination committees to ensure timely witness appearance, preservation of investigation reports, and streamlining of case proceedings.

Natore deputy commissioner Asma Shahin urged the chief justice to ensure that the DCs receive court orders and circulars directly, as delays in communication hinder implementation. She proposed introducing a hotline for the swift dissemination of Supreme Court orders and verdicts to ensure their timely execution.​

 

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Judicial reform urgent for timely justice

The judiciary has a crucial role to play in delivering justice, preventing the violation of human rights and holding accountable violators of the rule of law. In Bangladesh, however, dispensation of justice in a timely manner has become near to impossible because of the accumulation of about 4.51 m

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Judicial reform urgent for timely justice
Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Feb 22, 2025 22:38
Updated :
Feb 22, 2025 22:38

The judiciary has a crucial role to play in delivering justice, preventing the violation of human rights and holding accountable violators of the rule of law. In Bangladesh, however, dispensation of justice in a timely manner has become near to impossible because of the accumulation of about 4.51 million pending cases in different courts across the country. Litigants have to wait for several years, if not more than a decade, for justice due to the staggering number of backlog of cases.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Such delay, in fact, causes injustice and unfairness to all parties involved. Furthermore, the long delay in the disposal of cases runs the high risk of shattering the people's confidence in the justice system. There is also the question of cost. The longer a case drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for the poorer parties.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, who took office on September 21 last year, identified the "insufficient number of judges relative to the caseload" as a key reason for the backlog. In a recent speech, he emphasised the need for judicial reforms, including restructuring the judiciary's organogram and appointing judges in proportion to the population and caseload.

The numbers highlight the gravity of the situation. The Appellate Division has only five judges, each handling over 6,220 cases, while the High Court Division, with 81 judges, sees an average caseload of over 7,279 cases per judge. Together, these divisions have around 620,000 pending cases.

Lower courts face an even greater burden. Of the 2,254 judges nationwide, 319 are not actively engaged in judicial work, leaving only 1,935 judges to manage an overwhelming 3.89 million cases, which is growing by the day.

To address this crisis, the government-formed Judiciary Reform Commission (JRC) has proposed decentralising the court system. One of its key recommendations is to establish permanent benches of the High Court in every divisional headquarters by amending Article 100 of the Constitution.

Additionally, the JRC has suggested setting up senior assistant judge courts and first-class judicial magistrate courts in various upazilas. The commission suggested establishing these courts based on factors such as geographical location, distance from district headquarters, transportation systems, population density, and caseload distribution.

Simultaneously, the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) needs to be actively promoted as a means of expediting justice. ADR was introduced in both civil and criminal laws to help resolve disputes outside of court and reduce the backlog of pending lawsuits. However, its impact has been limited, with only a small percentage of cases settled through this mechanism. However, not all cases can be or should be resolved through ADR. Serious crimes like murder, robbery, and rape are offenses against society, not just individual victims, and must be dealt in accordance with established legal norms. But disputes related to land, family disagreements, and similar matters can be effectively resolved outside of court to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

Meanwhile, the sincerity of lawyers in expediting resolution of cases is also in question. The prevailing fee structure for lawyers in lower courts is also a disincentive that causes unnecessary delays. Lawyers typically earn fees based on the number of court appearances rather than on a contractual basis, which discourages the lawyers to do their bit in swift resolution of cases. Bar associations could play a role in reforming this practice by promoting or even mandating fee structures based on contracts rather than per-appearance payments.

Overall, the overwhelming backlog of cases and resulting delays have created a debilitating situation for those seeking justice. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach to ensure that justice is delivered in a timely and equitable manner.​

 

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Separate secretariat for judiciary needed to ensure its independence: Chief Justice

"Sustainability of reform initiatives depends on the independence of the judiciary"

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Separate secretariat for judiciary needed to ensure its independence: Chief Justice
"Sustainability of reform initiatives depends on the independence of the judiciary"

Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. Photo: Collected

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed today underscored the need for establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary under the Supreme Court in order to ensure its effective independence and make the reform activities of the interim government sustainable and meaningful.

He said, "Long-term sustainability of the reform initiatives taken by the interim government largely depends on the independence of the judiciary. An independent judiciary can perform its duties effectively only when institutional separation of judiciary is ensured through the establishment of an independent judicial secretariat."

The coming days are very important for achieving institutional autonomy of the judiciary, the chief justice said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at an iftar programme organised by Bangladesh Ain Samity at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium.

Some judges of the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the SC, Attorney General Asaduzzaman, Bangladesh Ain Samity leaders Advocate Monir Hossain, Md Shahjahan Sazu, Syed Azad Subhani, Md Kamal Hossain and Maksud Ullah, among others, were also present at the occasion.

The chief justice also said Bangladesh Ain Samity has an important role as a prestigious organisation formed with former students of the Department of Law of Dhaka University, at this critical time of nation reconstruction.

The talent, legal expertise and deep institutional connections of the members of this association can play an important role in favouring justice, efficiency and accountable judicial reforms in the country, he added.​

 

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Enact practical law to curb false, frivolous cases

The Judiciary Reform Commission has recommended enacting a practical law to prevent false and vexatious cases, citing that such cases and the resulting sufferings of the accused are common in Bangladesh’s legal system.

www.thedailystar.net

Enact practical law to curb false, frivolous cases
Recommends Judiciary Reform Commission

The Judiciary Reform Commission has recommended enacting a practical law to prevent false and vexatious cases, citing that such cases and the resulting sufferings of the accused are common in Bangladesh's legal system.

"The number of false cases increases with political changes. Additionally, various laws are often misused and misapplied. In reality, false information, exaggerated claims, and unexplained truths are present in almost all types of cases, both civil and criminal," the commission stated.

"While the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) include provisions for punishing those who file false cases, these laws are rarely enforced. As a result, the judiciary bears the burden. To ensure an effective judicial system, immediate and practical steps are necessary, considering both past experiences and current realities," said the commission in its 351-page final report, submitted to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on February 5.

The commission noted that creating a new general law or amending 15-16 existing laws separately would be complex and time-consuming. Therefore, a comprehensive and practical law should be formulated to prevent false and harassing cases after thorough examination and consultation with stakeholders.

The report recommended that the home ministry direct the police not to arrest accused individuals if there is sufficient reason to suspect that the case is false or intended for harassment. Arrests should also be avoided if an unusually high number of accused are listed in the First Information Report (FIR) and no specific role of an accused is mentioned.

Additionally, the law ministry could instruct public prosecutors, court inspectors, and sub-inspectors not to oppose bail for accused individuals in cases suspected to be false or harassing, the commission also said.

The commission suggested inserting a provision similar to Section 250 of the CrPC, which deals with false and frivolous accusations, into Chapter 23 of the code. It also recommended increasing fines and compensation mentioned in Section 250.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court could issue a practice direction under Chapter IIIB of the High Court Division Rules. If a complaint is brought before a Magistrate's Court under Section 200 of the CrPC, in which the majority of the accused indivisuals are not explicitly linked to the alleged incident, the magistrate should ensure a proper investigation before taking cognisance of the case.

To prevent real culprits from being spared due to collusion with the police, the commission proposed forming a high-powered task force in every division to oversee such matters.​

 

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Absurdity of justice

Since Margaret Thatcher, we have had that problem in spades in the UK; blame for failure is bounced around between ministries and private contractors, between policy ideas and those responsible for implementation.

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Absurdity of justice

On a cold, frosty winter's night in early January, I was standing outside a women's prison about 20 miles from where I live in Bath. I was not alone; we were about 300, mainly middle-aged or older.

We convened first in a pub close by to receive our instructions and walked in the dark, holding lanterns, for about half a mile, in an orderly procession. We were there to celebrate and protest. Gaie Delap was aware of our presence outside as she observed her 78th birthday inside the prison, as we were doing. The prison authorities had acceded to the request for us to be there, outside the entrance to the floodlit campus, fenced off with razor wire. Inside were approximately 380 women, many of whom, in Gaie's judgement, should not be there but rather supported in the community whether for drug addiction or mental health issues or defending themselves against domestic abuse. And then there was Gaie, a retired teacher, grandmother, and indeed a sister-in-law of a former director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, which is how I came to know Gaie, having also taught her niece as a student. Her niece also spent some time in Bangladesh, working in Dhaka slums with Proshika. Gaie's brother, Mick, my student's father, had worked with the Africa desk of the BBC World Service. He campaigned tirelessly for Gaie's release. I record all this to demonstrate that this is a family with a strong social conscience, and thus not your typical prison inmate!

Last year, Gaie was sentenced to 20 months in prison for being part of the Just Stop Oil protest, which blocked traffic for a while on the M25 motorway that encircles London. Some of her fellow protesters were given longer sentences, up to five years. Under sentencing practices in the UK, one can be released earlier and electronically tagged with a leg or wrist bracelet. This ensures that the conditions of release are honoured, usually subject to an HDC (a home detention curfew,) from 7pm to 7am. The reader should also be aware that in the UK, following years of Tory government neglect, the prison capacity is seriously overstretched. The new Labour government were approving early releases for quite serious offences during this winter, much to the disgust of the hypocritical Tory press. Gaie was released under this scheme on November 18, 2024 and re-arrested 20 days later just before Christmas and recalled to prison.

What went wrong? The UK government sub-contracts the tagging service to a large private company, Serco, which provides a multitude of services to the government across justice, immigration, defence, transport, health, and citizen services. It describes itself as bringing "the right people, the right technology and the right partners to create innovative solutions that make positive impact and address some of the most urgent and complex challenges in the modern world." Well, not in this case! Tags are usually placed around the ankle, but Gaie had a medical condition in her legs which inhibited that option. But she had wrists! However, Serco could not access an appropriately sized bracelet tag for her wrists. So, just before Christmas, she was re-arrested and sent to a different prison, nearer to her home in Bristol. This was despite Gaie indicating her agreement that she had offended under the law and had accepted her sentence while also indicating that she had no intention of offending again. By any amount of common sense, this nearly 78-year-old grandmother was not a threat to the public.

This is why more than 300 of us were outside the entrance to her prison on a cold, frosty night in early January, engaged in a silent, dignified protest, though also singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Three weeks later, the news appeared that her 20 days of "freedom" (from late November until mid-December, just before Christmas), through no fault of her own, were deemed "illegal," and that these days would be added to her sentence before her next "early release" date in March this year. In the UK, we are familiar with Charles Dickens's expression "the law is an ass!" Well, it certainly has been in this case. And then in the first week of February came the news that a wrist tag had been sourced, and Gaie could be released on licence!

In 1994, in Bangladesh: Whose Ideas, Whose Interests, I included a chapter on the problem of the franchise state. I then argued that the solution to good governance was not to franchise out essential, rights-based, government functions to private profit or not-for-profit organisations. At that time, I was concerned about the paradox of donors supporting good governance on the one hand, while funding NGOs to undertake essential state functions as voluntary rather than statutory organisations. That separation prevents governments from being held accountable, as governments defend themselves by blaming the contractor, while the contractor asserts their compliance with the contract and denies responsibility for failure. Since Margaret Thatcher, we have had that problem in spades in the UK; blame for failure is bounced around between ministries and private contractors, between policy ideas and those responsible for implementation.

In Gaie Delap's case, Serco failed to uphold their contract. Will it be prosecuted or fined for this failure? Unlikely. It employs many lawyers. Instead, the absurdity of the law even adds 20 days to Gaie's sentence, when just a shred of common sense would dictate otherwise. The UK is experiencing several current such examples of Alice in Wonderland: the post office scandal with thousands of sub-postmasters prosecuted for accounting discrepancies because the software provider provided a faulty service with compensation still owed after years of enquiry and judicial findings against both the post office and its contractor; poor regulation of blood quality in transfusions, unresolved after decades, claimants with blood infected by HIV or hepatitis C dying through old age before claims are met; Andrew Malkinson imprisoned for 17 years for a murder he did not commit, because the contracted review service (Criminal Cases Review Commission) ignored new evidence a decade ago, and now that he has received some upfront modest compensation, he is in danger of his entitlement to social housing being denied. How does Malkinson stand up to this unholy alliance between the bureaucratic state and corporate interests? No chance to do so given monopoly lawyers' fees and the withdrawal of publicly funded Legal Aid. Absurdity is reinforced by exclusion. Rights denied.

Dr Geof Wood is a development anthropologist and author of several books and numerous journal articles, with a regional focus on South Asia. He is also emeritus professor of international development at the University of Bath, UK.​

 

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BNP calls for CJ appointment from among senior-most Appellate Division judges

BNP on Tuesday proposed that the Chief Justice be appointed from among the top two to three most senior judges of the Appellate Division to avoid the possibility of controversial appointments in the future. The proposal came during a dialogue on Tuesday with the National Consensus Commission at th

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP calls for CJ appointment from among senior-most Appellate Division judges
UNB
Published :
Apr 22, 2025 17:52
Updated :
Apr 22, 2025 17:52

BNP on Tuesday proposed that the Chief Justice be appointed from among the top two to three most senior judges of the Appellate Division to avoid the possibility of controversial appointments in the future.

The proposal came during a dialogue on Tuesday with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad.

Speaking to the media during the session's lunch break, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed explained the party's position.

"The Reform Commission has recommended that the most senior judge of the Supreme Court be appointed Chief Justice. We disagree. Based on past inconsistencies in state affairs, we believe that if only one option is fixed and no alternatives exist, it may pave the way for controversial individuals to assume the role. As we aim to ensure complete judicial independence, such risks should be eliminated," he said.

Salahuddin said that there should be at least two or three alternatives among the senior-most judges of the Appellate Division. "That space is yet to be accepted. Discussions are still going on," he added.

Citing the principle of necessity, he said, "Necessity makes law. National security is the supreme law to us. It is practical to keep some options available, as otherwise the state might fall into undesirable hands."

On the issue of the Cabinet's structure, Salahuddin mentioned differences in interpretation. "They said the Cabinet would be collectively led by the Prime Minister, but this undermines the Prime Minister's authority. We argued that the Prime Minister's authority must be clearly upheld."

Regarding the Reform Commission's proposal to limit a person to serving as prime minister for a maximum of two terms, BNP disagreed.

The party suggests that a person may return to the post after a break following two terms. But in a previous meeting, the discussion leaned towards allowing a person to serve three terms in total, which BNP has reportedly taken positively. "Wait for the alternative proposal. They haven't formally presented it to us yet," said Salahuddin.

About the separation of leadership roles, he said, "There was discussion around ensuring that one individual does not simultaneously hold the positions of prime minister, party chief, and parliamentary leader. The parliamentary party of the majority party in the House should decide who becomes Prime Minister. It is not mandatory for the party head to hold that post. There are global examples of this."

"Whoever becomes Prime Minister should also serve as leader of the house. This is a tradition. Although some countries have separated these roles, the Leader of the House here holds no executive power, and the two roles are essentially inseparable," he added.

On the topic of a non-partisan caretaker government, Salahuddin said BNP agreed with proposals for a 14-member advisory council, routine duties of the council, and that in the event of the Chief Advisor's resignation, one of the advisors would be nominated to the post.

The party also agreed that no political symbols would be allotted in local government elections.

Regarding law enforcement and human rights, he said, "We are broadly in agreement, but more discussion is needed. The armed forces, police, and other units are constitutionally defined as disciplined forces. So any abrupt provision could cause imbalance. This needs careful consideration."

Salahuddin also spoke in favour of a bicameral legislature. "We support a two-chamber Parliament. They have proposed the name 'Senate' for the upper house and 'Jatiya Sangsad' for the lower. We agree."

On women's representation, BNP supports reserving 100 of the 400 lower house seats for women but expressed differing views on the election method for those seats.

Salahuddin Ahmed also said BNP proposed increasing the president's powers. "We're considering what specific powers can be entrusted to the president that may be exercised independently of the prime minister. Details will be disclosed later."​

 

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UNDP, EU sign deal to digitise legal aid services in Bangladesh

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) on Thursday signed an agreement to modernise and digitise legal aid services across Bangladesh, aiming to ensure faster and more inclusive access to justice for vulnerable communities. The agreement was signed at the EU De

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

UNDP, EU sign deal to digitise legal aid services in Bangladesh
UNB
Published :
May 16, 2025 22:44
Updated :
May 16, 2025 22:44

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) on Thursday signed an agreement to modernise and digitise legal aid services across Bangladesh, aiming to ensure faster and more inclusive access to justice for vulnerable communities.

The agreement was signed at the EU Delegation office in Dhaka by UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, said a press release.

Under the new initiative, an integrated legal aid system will be introduced featuring mobile applications, online case tracking and virtual mediation. The system is expected to enable citizens in remote and marginalised areas to access legal services without physically visiting courts.

"This initiative marks a significant step forward in making justice more accessible for all," said Stefan Liller. "It aligns closely with ongoing justice sector reforms supported by UNDP and the EU and builds on our long-standing collaboration in strengthening Village Courts, which play a key role in resolving local disputes."

Initially, the project will be piloted in eight districts, targeting over 680,000 disadvantaged individuals. It will also prioritise inclusivity, gender-responsiveness, and accessibility for people with limited digital literacy.

EU Ambassador Michael Miller said, "This agreement reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Bangladesh, the EU, and UNDP in improving access to justice for all. Whether through Village Courts or digital innovations, our joint efforts are creating a more efficient, inclusive, and responsive justice system."

The initiative will be implemented by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) in collaboration with the UNDP and the EU.

It aligns with Bangladesh's 8th Five-Year Plan and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

By introducing a unified digital platform accessible via phone, SMS, and online portals, the project also aims to reduce the burden on courts, enhance transparency, and build public trust in the justice system.​