Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said establishing the rule of law remains the country’s biggest challenge, though significant progress has been made in that direction.
He, however, cautioned that achieving lasting success would be difficult without sincerity and commitment from an elected government after the next election.
"Some people say no reforms have been made. However, in such a short time, there has never been such a significant amount of reform in the history of Bangladesh," he said.
Turning to the exchange rate, the Adviser said it has remained unchanged, while remittance inflows have increased. "Where there was previously no sufficient mechanism to retain, now it has been made possible. Our reform commissions are at an expensive level," Asif Nazrul said.
The adviser went on to say, “Among 10 recommendations, six have been kept. So, you cannot say that no recommendations have been kept. Some people spread negativities, which acts like a stimulus, but it negatively influences people."
If independence exists without accountability, it does not bring success, the Adviser said, adding that the judges of the higher judiciary must strictly adhere to the code of conduct. "The majority provision will provide success for people. Legal aid has now increased fivefold. Theoretically, we have done everything required for judicial independence. If accountability is ensured, you will achieve success."
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The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) organised the policy dialogue titled ‘Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law’ at the CIRDAP (Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) auditorium in Dhaka.
The event brought together political leaders, civil society representatives, academics, lawyers, and human rights activists to discuss how judicial independence and the rule of law can be ensured through the protection of citizens' fundamental rights, accountability of state power, and equality in law enforcement in a just and democratic state.
Shamim Haider Patwary, General Secretary of the Jatiya Party (Japa); Ruhin Hossain Prince, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB); Subrata Chowdhury, President of Gono Forum; Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, former Minister of BNP; Barrister Nusrat Khan, Vice Principal of the British School of Law; Bajlur Rashid Firoz, Bangladesh Socialist Party (BASAD); Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Faisal, Joint General Secretary of Khelafat Majlis; Mohammad Tajul Islam, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal; Ekhtedar Ahmed, Former Judge; Barristers M. Moin Alam Firozi, Shihab Uddin Khan, Sarwar Hossain, and Mohammad Ali; Dr. Abdul Latif Masum, former Professor at Jahangirnagar University; Dr Borhan Uddin Khan, Professor at Dhaka University; Advocate Shaukat Ali Howlader, Central Law Secretary of the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh; Zillur Rahman, President of the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS); and Parvez Karim Abbasi, Executive Director of CGS also spoke at the event.