Minister: Bangabandhu took effective measures to combat injustice, inequality

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said that Bangabandhu was the main bearer of establishing human rights and social justice. 

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The law minister said these things at the inauguration ceremony of the "Child Sensitive Court Room" under the project titled "Strengthening Capacity of Judicial System for Child Protection in Bangladesh" at the Judicial Administration Training Institute in the capital on Thursday.

He emphasized on the establishment of an independent judiciary as the foundation of a democratic society. 

He also realized the importance of providing legal aid to ensure access to justice to the marginalized and underprivileged sections of the society and took effective measures to combat injustice and inequality in the society.

Mentioning Bangabandhu's incomparable foresight, courage and devotion to the principles of justice and equality as a guide to the progress and prosperity of the Bangali nation, the law minister said: “Bangabandhu first prioritized the establishment of the legal framework of the newly independent country so that the civil rights of all are well established and justice is ensured.”

The law minister said: “In the new journey, Bangabandhu prioritized the formulation of a world-class constitution and made it possible in just 10 months. This constitution lays down the principles of democracy, secularism, socialism and social justice, which form a strong foundation of the country's legal and judicial system.”

In just 3.5 years of rule, Bangabandhu, in addition to framing the constitution, highlighted the initiatives of reforming various laws and enacting new laws to ensure justice for all citizens. 

In 1974, Bangabandhu enacted the Children's Act, which is serving as the foundation for child rights and child protection in Bangladesh.

The minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set an incomparable example by taking groundbreaking multifaceted steps for the welfare of children. Under his visionary leadership, the Children Act was enacted in 2013, which laid the foundation for a legal framework to ensure the protection, rights and welfare of children. 

Various sections of the Children's Act enacted during his government have inserted effective provisions for measures to prevent violence against children including protecting the rights of children in conflict with the law, children in contact with the law, and underprivileged children.

Adequate logistical support, separate courtrooms, appropriate environment and trained manpower are required to ensure effective implementation of this Act. Equally important is the relevant knowledge and skills of all concerned.

Anisul Huq said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government wants to raise the child justice system in Bangladesh to international standards. That is why the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has taken various steps to improve the juvenile justice system.

He also said that the newly reformed children's courts should ensure all kinds of children's rights, including care, maintenance, protection, participation, and taking their opinions. Besides, all concerned should work together and only then can the desired goal be reached.

Unicef Bangladesh Country Representative Sheldon Yate said: “Unicef believes in the use of informal systems for all children in need of protection and care. Deprivation of liberty and detention of children in conflict with the law should only be used as a last resort and for as short a period as possible.”