BANGLADESH NEWS
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday that the government is considering appointing a judicial assistance to each union parishad across the country to help public representatives making the village court operational.
She said the village court system would be expanded to all unions and it would be an ideal model of delivery of justice in the developing countries.
Initially there might have some loopholes, but the process will be standardised gradually, she said.
The prime minister was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day Village Court Conference under Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.
She declared that Rangpur Pourasabha will be upgraded to a city corporation very shortly.
Chairmen and secretaries of 350 UPs under the project are taking part in the conference to review the success of the Village Court Law and identify its loopholes for improvement.
Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Syed Asharful Islam, State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, UNDP Resident Representative Neal Walker and EU Delegation charge d'affaires Milko Van Gool attended the function as special guests.
Secretary of the Local Government Division Abul Alam M Shahid Khan was in the chair while director of the Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project K M Mozammel Haque spoke, among others, on the occasion.
With the financial assistance of the UNDP and EU, the Local Government Division initiated the 'Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project' in 2009 in 350 unions preliminarily aimed at executing the village court law enacted to give the traditional local dispute resolving system a formal shape and legal structure.
The prime minister said her government has taken steps to introduce village courts in remaining over 4,000 UPs outside the project area and urged the donors to come forward to provide assistance in this regard.
She reminded that the village court is a unique opportunity for elected representatives to deliver justice and service to people. On the one hand, it's an authority and a huge responsibility on the other, she said.
"Nothing unjustified should be imposed being influenced by others and religious superstition and fanaticism should not have any role in discharging justice," she said adding there should also have provision of punishment against any false complaint.
The disputes should have to be resolved through understanding and motivation, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said local representatives through applying the authority bestowed upon them by the village court law can earn the confidence and love of the people. Peaceful solution of disputes would also help maintain peace in society and fraternity among people, she noted.
Saying that her government is pledged bound to undertake any activity for the welfare of the people, she hoped that village court would pave the way for ensuring justice for the poor and disadvantaged rural people.
She said one of the main election pledges of the present government was to establish a strong and effective local government system.
To fulfill the commitment, she said, the government is working relentlessly. People have already started to derive the benefits from the development initiatives of the present government, she said.
My name A.H.M.Mainuddin Ahmed(Jahangir),Advocate,Bangladesh supreme court; was fortunate to involve in evaluation process of AVC in 2012 as Legal Expert. Its a great project initiated by GOB n UNDP. As lawyer I found a great way ensuring people rights at their door steps with with any hustles. Legal services are expensive n time consuming affairs.I congratulate GOB f such intervention.Ensuring fairer justice is a demand ensued by our Constitution.
ReplyDeleteYou don,t need a lawyer t advocate; For a criminal case pay taka 2/ n for a civil case pay only 4/. Justice ensured with in 30 days. I am charmed,despite some constraints are there.Its needed nursing yet.