Legal aid must pave the way for Justice: Law Minister

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday called for making justice more accessible to marginalised communities through legal aid services while reducing pressure on the country's judicial system.

He said easing the suffering of litigants and removing barriers to justice through legal aid would help establish justice in the country.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a certificate distribution ceremony following a three-day capacity-building training programme for chief legal aid officers at Hotel Obokash in Mohakhali, Dhaka.

Asaduzzaman urged the officers to perform their duties with sincerity, efficiency and a strong commitment to public service.

He said, serving as chief legal aid officers offered officials an opportunity to work directly with marginalised communities and understand their lives and practical challenges. Such experience would enrich their professional knowledge and help them deliver more effective and quality judgments in their future judicial roles.

The minister described lifelong experience as a form of genuine education, saying direct exposure to ordinary people's problems would deepen the officers' judicial understanding.

He noted that judges exercised the sovereign authority of the state to ensure justice, while legal aid officials played a vital role in removing barriers that prevent people from accessing justice. Reducing pressure on the judicial system through legal aid would make judicial proceedings more efficient and help build a fairer justice system for future generations, he added.

Addressing the officers' concerns and demands, Asaduzzaman assured them that necessary steps would be taken to resolve their problems, including transport-related issues and leave arrangements.

He also stressed that the success of legal aid programmes should be assessed by their outcomes, not merely by the activities conducted. He expressed hope that a positive picture of the programme's achievements and progress would be presented to the nation by December 31.

Emphasising the importance of public service, the minister urged the officers to prioritise people's needs and work collectively to bring positive changes to the country's judicial system.

He thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for supporting the training programme and called for collective efforts to build a better Bangladesh for future generations.

The event was chaired by Bangladesh Legal Aid Director General Md Manjurul Hossain. JICA Access to Justice Project Chief Adviser Takuro Fujioka and Law and Justice Division Additional Secretary SM Ershadul Alam attended as special guests.

A total of 33 participants attended the three-day training programme, organised for chief legal aid officers for the first time.

-MT