The European Union (EU) on Tuesday (January 09, 2024) said it will continue to work with the government of Bangladesh on the priorities that characterise their longstanding relations in the political, human rights, trade and development spheres including the country’s possible future access to the GSP+ preferential trade scheme. "The EU strongly encourages all stakeholders to respect political pluralism, democratic values and international human rights standards and to engage in peaceful dialogue," reads the statement issued from Brussels. It is essential that the media, civil society and political parties can carry out their work without censorship or fear of reprisals, said the EU. Read more: Commonwealth SG congratulates PM The statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections has taken note of the outcome of the Parliamentary elections, which were held in Bangladesh last Sunday. It reiterated that the long-term EU-Bangladesh partnership is underpinned by the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The EU regretted that not all major parties participated in this election. The EU welcomed the agreement of the authorities to make public the upcoming report and recommendations of the EU Election Expert Mission. Read more: Happy with people’s verdict; no reason to worry about US, UK statements: Foreign Minister "In the same spirit of transparency and accountability, we call upon the relevant authorities to ensure a timely and full investigation of all reported election irregularities," the statement reads. The EU condemned the acts of violence that occurred during the electoral period and urges everybody to refrain from violence in the post-election period. "It is also key that the rule of law, judicial independence, due process and the right to peaceful assembly are respected and upheld in this period and beyond. In this regard, detention of opposition figures is highly concerning," reads the statement. Read more: Scottish MP congratulates PM Hasina on re-election, praises election process

A vibrant civil society is essential to the prosperity of every nation, according to a joint Franco-German statement. France and Germany are "deeply attached to respect for the rule of law as well as to the democratic acquis in Bangladesh,” it said. They will continue to support defenders of human rights in Bangladesh, like throughout the world, reads the joint statement. Britain, France and Germany say they will keep their nuclear and missiles sanctions on Iran "We regret the Bangladeshi court's decision regarding Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan," said the statement. Bangladesh, France reiterate interest in expanding bilateral trade and exploring potentials for investment in infrastructure "We have expressed our concern to the authorities on this situation and will maintain our dialogue with them on this case," the joint statement said. The two countries recalled that Adilur Rahman Khan, on behalf of the human rights organization Odhikar, was the 2017 recipient of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

The United States has encouraged the government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of violence "thoroughly, transparently, and impartially," and to hold the perpetrators to account. The US also urged Bangladesh to create a safe environment for people to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns. Read: Momen denounces Quran burning in address to OIC Council of Foreign Ministers "We call on all parties to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular briefing in Washington on July 31. He said they are concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding last weekend’s political protests. Read: Chinese special envoy in town; discreet meetings held with MoFA Miller said free and fair elections depend on the commitment of everyone – voters, political parties, youth groups, and police – and cannot take place in an environment with political violence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 5, 2023) said the Awami League government has established the rule of law in the country, ending the culture of lawlessness that existed during the rule of BNP. The premier made these remarks when the newly elected leaders of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed reporters after the meeting. She congratulated the newly elected leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She said BNP introduced the culture of forced disappearance, killings and lawlessness through the indemnity ordinance proclaimed after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members. Also Read: Plant trees to shield Bangladesh from climate change: PM Hasina Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said did not have right to seek and get justice after the assassination of the Father of the Nation. “It was a gross violation of human rights. Today, we’ve been able to free the country from the phenomenon of not getting justice. The Awami League government always believes in justice,” she said. She said the AL government has made arrangements for people to get justice. “Our government has digitized the judicial system so that people can get justice in a short time without facing sufferings,” she said. The PM said her government has made it (trial proceedings) virtual during the Corona pandemic so that people can get justice in a short time, staying at home. Also Read: Volatile global situation likely to worsen further: PM Hasina tells parliament Noting that the people are suffering due to electricity amid the ongoing heat wave, she said, “We’ve trying out best and taking necessary measures in this regard.” Hasina said Bangladesh has witnessed impressive development thanks to the continuation of democracy for the last 14 and half years in the country. She said Bangladesh has graduated to a developing country due to dedicated efforts of the Awami League government. “We’ve been working to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country,” the PM said. Also Read: PM Hasina slams critics and vows to implement the budget for FY23-24 Law Minister Anisul Huq and AL advisory council member and senior lawyer Yusuf Hossain Humayun were present at the meeting. Among the newly elected leaders of Supreme Court Bar Association, its President Advocate Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir, Secretary Abdun Noor Dulal, vice presidents Mohammad Ali Azzam and Jesmin Sultana, Treasurer Masud Alam Chowdhury, Sr. assistant secretaries A.B.M. Noor-A-Alam (Uzzal) and Mohammad Harun-ur-Rashid, members Mohiuddin Ahmed (Rudra), Shafique Raihan Shawon, Safayet Hossain (Sajeeb), Delowar Hossain, Mohammad Najmul Huda and Suvas Chandra Das were present. In March last, pro-Awami League lawyers panel Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad won all the 14 posts of executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the annual election.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday urged US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas not to harm the friendship with Bangladesh by making unwanted comments about Bangladesh elections and the rule of law. He said this at the first preparatory meeting of the 22nd National Council at the political office of the party president in Dhanmondi in the morning. Read more: US concerned about reports of intimidation, political violence in Dhaka “Do not make unwanted comments or interfere in any issue of Bangladesh. Election fraud is not only happening in Bangladesh, but also in the United States. There is still another party complaining about election rigging in the US,” said Quader. He said mass shootings are common in the US. “Every day two, three or five people are killed in mass shootings. But you are talking about the human rights of Bangladesh.”  “Sheikh Hasina will not listen to anybody's orders. She does not fear anyone except Allah.” "We have bitter experiences with the US. We saw their role in 1971 and 1975. Despite all these incidents, we want a good relationship with the US.” Read more: US Embassy issues alert for its citizens in Bangladesh He also said no one will benefit from this type of comment. These will only be a barrier to good relations. Bangladesh wants to maintain friendship with the US, he added. On Thursday, the US Embassy in Dhaka expressed its concern over reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka and called on everyone to respect the rule of law. "We are concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka and call on everyone to respect the rule of law and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation,"  Haas said in a message through the verified Facebook page of the Embassy on Thursday. He said they encourage government authorities to investigate these reports of violence and to protect the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the system, process, institution, practice, or norm that maintain the equality of all citizens before the law, ensure prevention of arbitrary use of power is known as the rule of law. The 2022 WJP Rule of Law Index has evaluated 140 countries and jurisdictions across the world. Let’s take a look at the top 10 best and worst countries according to the WJP Rule of Law Index 2022.  What is the WP Rule of Law Index? The WJP Rule of Law Index is an empirical measure of the rule of law around the world. The index ranks countries from 1-140, with 1 being the best and 140 being the worst.  The Rule of Law index of WJP is based on a holistic analysis of 44 indicators across eight dimensions of the rule of law: constraints on government power, open government, Absence of corruption, order and security, fundamental rights, regulatory enforcement, criminal justice, and civil justice.  This year the organization surveys 150,000+ households and 3,600 legal practitioners and experts to understand the situation of the rule of law around the world. Read More: 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World 10 Best Countries on the WJP Rule of Law Index 2022 Following 10 countries ranked top means these countries protect the basic rights and freedoms of citizens while ensuring that the respective governments can govern effectively. 1. Denmark With a 0.90 overall score, Denmark topped the WJP Rule of Law Index in 2022. However, the country was topped last year too. Annual changes in the overall score are 0.3%. That being said, even though the country was number one last, it continues improvement. 2. Norway Norway’s position has not changed compared to last year’s performance. But, their annual changes in the score -1.1%, which brings down their score to 0.89 from 0.90. They become second in global, regional, and income ranks. The lowest score they had was 0.87 in 2015. 3. Finland Finland came third with their 0.87 score, which was 0.88 in 2021. The country receives 0.91 in Constraints on Government Powers, 0.89 in the Absence of corruption, 0.86 in Open Government, 0.89 in Fundamental rights, and 0.91 in order of security. However, Finland has maintained consistency over the last 5 years. 4. Sweden Sweden scored 0.86, which they have been scoring since 2016. Sweden ranked 4 in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index of 2021. This year their ranking has not changed.  5. Netherlands The Netherlands has jumped one position from sixth to fifth. However, their score remains the same, 0.83. The country has improved in almost all criteria. The highest overall score they earned was 0.86 in 2016. This year the Netherlands ranked pretty low in order and security. With 0.85, they are 25th in the world and 18th in regional rank out of 31 countries. 6. Germany Germany ranked down to sixth with annual -0.6% changes in the overall score. This year the country has achieved 0.83, which was 0.84 in 2021. Their global, regional, and income ranks dropped this year. 7. New Zealand For the last three years, New Zealand ranked 7 globally and 1 regionally. From 2015-2022 they have been scoring 0.83, except in 2019. In the last 7 years, their lowest score was 0.83 in 2019. Other than that, New Zealand has been consistent in all criteria. 8. Luxembourg Luxembourg was included in the Rule of Law index in 2021 for the first time, and they ranked 8. And this year, the country is holding the same position with 0.83. They are ranked in the seventh position in the regional ranking. 9. Estonia Estonia jumped about two steps (from 9th to 11th) in the 2022 WJP Rule of Law index. With a 1.2% annual overall change in score, the country scored 0.82, which was 0.81 in 2021. Since 2015, Estonia is continuously improving its position from being 15th in 2015. 10. Ireland The county is holding the same position from 2021. With 0.81, they again come at the tenth position on the World Justice Project’s 2022 Rule of Law index. They were first included in the list in 2021 and achieved 0.81 in their first inclusion. Read More: The 10 Cheapest Cities to Live in for 2022 10 Worst Countries on the WJP Rule of Law Index 2022 Out of the 140 countries, the following 10 countries were ranked in the bottom 10 positions. 131. Mauritania This African country ranked 131 globally with 0.37 points and ranked 32 regionally out of the 34 African countries according to the 2022 Rule of Law index of WJP. While their global rank has improved from 133 to 131, their regional rank dropped to 32 from 31. 132. Myanmar With an overall 0.36 score, Myanmar’s ranking also dropped to 132 from 128 on the 2022 WJP index. That said, the country’s situation has changed negatively in terms of different criteria. However, Myanmar is in the red zone in the Fundamental Rights indicator, which is the lowest in the region. 133. Nicaragua Nicaragua ranked 133 with a 0.36 overall score which was 0.34 last year. This is the lowest score for Nicaragua in the past seven years. The country is significantly risky in terms of Constraints on Government Powers and criminal justice indicators. 134. Cameroon Although Cameroon’s ranking has improved one step from 135 to 134, they are second lowest in the region and listed as one of the most corrupt nations in the world with a 0.24 score in the Absence of the Corruption indicator. 135. Egypt, Arab Rep Egypt’s ranking has improved one step, and they are now at 135th. However, the country ranked lowest out of the eight regional countries. In terms of Fundamental Rights, Constraints on Government Powers, and Open Government, the country is in the red zone. 136. Haiti Haiti was included in the list in 2021, and they were ranked 132 out of 139 countries. This year they dropped four positions to 136. In terms of Criminal Justice and Absence of Corruption, they are in the red zone. 137. Congo, Dem. Rep. Lowest in regional ranking 137 in the global WJP Rule of Law Index 2022, Congo holds the lowest position in the Absence of Corruption indicator among the 140 countries. The country also earned a low score in the Criminal Justice indicator. 138. Afghanistan Afghanistan ranked 138 globally and lowest regionally. The country was in the 122nd position in 2022’s Rule of Law Index, which significantly changed two years after the new government took the chair. 139. Cambodia With a 0.31 score, Cambodia ranked 139 among the 140 countries on WJP’s 2022 index. Except for the country’s order and security, other indicators are significantly low, making it the lowest in the region. 140. Venezuela In the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law index 2022, Venezuela comes at 140th with an overall score of 0.26. And they are one the lowest scoring countries in almost all indicators. However, the country had a 0.32 score in 2015. Read More: Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World in 2022 Final Words So far, we have discussed the best and worst countries in the 2022 WJP Rule of Law index. The goal of the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index is to provide a comprehensive picture of how well each country performs with regard to the rule of law. Therefore, this index can help policymakers identify reforms that could make their countries safer, more democratic, and better places to live and do business.

BNP MP Rumeen Farhana alleged in Parliament on Wednesday that police stations in the country do not want to register complaints of families of those who are subjected to enforced disappearances for lack of rule of law in the country. Speaking on a cut-motion on Law Ministry, she said three people — trader Noman, madrasa student Nasim and mosque Imam Shohidul in Narayanganj’s Araihazar -- remained missing for nearly a month. Having failed to get any cooperation from local police stations, Rumeen said the family members of the three missing men held a press conference in the capital seeking the whereabouts of their near ones. “Nothing can be known yet about their whereabouts and there’s no discussion about it since they aren’t celebrities.” She said Bangladesh was supposed to present a report on the country’s human rights situation to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) in 1999, but the report was placed nearly 20 years later under immense pressure. She said CAT expressed deep concern over the incidents enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killing, torture, snatching individual’s freedom, taking bribes and some other issues of Bangladesh after the report was submitted. Also read: Two BNP central leaders quit Besides, the BNP female MP said a report of the US State Department says that the government or its agents are involved in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance and torture on people while journalists and others are being harassed and arrested willfully. She said the UN and other international rights bodies repeatedly urged the government to take specific steps to prevent repression and violation of human rights by the law enforcers. “A few months back they made the same call.” Rumeen said every incident of enforced disappearance, repression on Hefazat activists, taking confessional statements by force, extrajudicial killing, torture on common people by law enforcers are crimes against humanity. “These incidents also manifest how a state has collapsed.” She said these incidents cannot happen at a regular interval if there is minimum rule of law, judiciary and minimum values of democracy in the country. Later, Law Minister Anisul Huq slammed Rumeen for raising the issues irrelevantly. Also read: AL changing democratic structure: BNP “Rumeen Farhana seems to have forgotten that I’m the law minister. We’re here talking about the issues of the Law Ministry. Everything she said was a matter for the Home Ministry, but she has imposed those on me.” The minister said the BNP MP raised the issue as she got a chance to speak. “I would like to tell her not to make irrelevant comments.” Later, speaking on a cut-motion on the Education Ministry, Rumeen said though the issues are relevant to the Home Minister, the Law Minister went to the UN and responded to these questions before the CAT. “But now he has imposed these issues on the Home Minister.” She said new universities are being set up through enacting laws, but it is necessary to think about the standards of those universities and their teachers. Stating that the UK-based QS published the world university ranking 2021, the MP bemoaned that neither Dhaka University nor Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) are there in the list of 800 prime universities. Rumeen also criticised the government for keeping the educational institutions shut for a long time showing an excuse of coronavirus when everything is open.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday warned that the current government must be tried by the people’s court for the violation of human rights and indulgence in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday said the incidents of killing, rape and injustice and misdeeds are on the rise in Bangladesh for lack of the rule of law and good governance.