Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a set of targeted measures to strengthen access to justice for financially disadvantaged people, reaffirming what he described as the government's commitment to equal legal protection for all citizens.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating National Legal Aid Day 2026 at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka. The programme was organised by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
Tarique said access to justice is a constitutional guarantee, referring to Article 27 of the Constitution, which ensures equality before the law and equal protection for every citizen. He noted that these principles are also reflected in international human rights standards, including the United Nations declaration.
In a democratic state, he said, no individual should be denied legal protection because of financial hardship. The prime minister stressed that the government has adopted specific plans to ensure that economically vulnerable citizens can seek justice without being burdened by legal costs.
Sharing his personal experience, Tarique recalled his time in prison, where he encountered inmates who had remained behind bars for years without trial due to their inability to afford legal representation. He said such realities highlight the urgent need for a more inclusive and responsive legal aid system.
Justice, he added, is not confined to courtrooms but forms the foundation of a humane and accountable state. A country cannot claim to uphold democracy without rule of law, human rights and equal access to justice, he said.
After what he described as more than a decade and a half of democratic setbacks, Tarique said Bangladesh has resumed its journey toward democracy and must now consolidate that progress by strengthening the justice system.
The prime minister outlined ongoing legal aid programmes designed to ensure that victims are not deprived of justice due to poverty. He said recent amendments have been introduced to relevant laws to make the system more effective.
To address delays in the judicial process, the government has expanded mediation services under the legal aid framework, allowing disputes to be resolved before formal cases are filed. According to Tarique, thousands of cases have already been settled quickly and at low cost through mediation, easing pressure on courts and reducing public expenditure.
He warned that delayed justice often amounts to denied justice and said timely legal advice can prevent minor disputes from escalating. The government is therefore working to strengthen the role of legal aid institutions nationwide.
Tarique urged citizens to place their trust in the system, saying the state must stand beside people in times of need. He called for collective efforts to build what he described as a just and humane society where justice is not merely written in law books but reflected in everyday life.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzman, European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller and Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid Md Monjurul Hossain also spoke at the event. The prime minister's daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, was among those in attendance.
During the ceremony, Sayem Khan of Dhaka and Neelima Biswas of Rajshahi were recognised as best panel lawyers and received awards from the prime minister. The Social Empowerment and Legal Protection Program Cell of BRAC was also honoured for its contribution to expanding legal aid services, with BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh accepting a certificate and crest on behalf of the organisation.
