PM stresses equal access to justice on National Legal Aid Day

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring access to justice for all citizens, particularly those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, saying there is no alternative to strengthening the rule of law to sustain the country’s democratic progress.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at a programme organised by Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs at Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre on the occasion of National Legal Aid Day.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh, after what he described as more than a decade and a half of authoritarian rule, is once again moving along a democratic path. 

He stressed that this journey can only be consolidated through equal justice and the establishment of the rule of law for all citizens.

He noted that a state without justice, human rights and the rule of law cannot be truly democratic or humane. 

Citing constitutional principles, he referred to provisions guaranteeing equality before the law and equal protection for all citizens, which align with international human rights standards.

Tarique Rahman emphasized that no citizen should be deprived of legal remedies due to financial hardship. 

He said the government has continued and expanded legal aid initiatives to ensure that poverty does not become a barrier to justice.

He added that specific plans have been introduced to support those unable to afford legal representation, reinforcing the state’s responsibility to ensure fair access to justice.

Sharing personal reflections, the Prime Minister said he had spent a long period in prison for political reasons, during which he witnessed many underprivileged individuals remaining behind bars for years without trial due to lack of legal support.

He described justice as the foundation of peace, dignity, and social progress, adding that a discrimination-free society where citizens can access legal remedies is a long-standing aspiration.

He further said that equality, compassion and mutual trust are essential for building a justice-based society, stressing that justice extends beyond courtrooms and legal procedures and represents a core value of a humane state.

SH