The dialogue on accessible and effective criminal justice systems held at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Bangladesh took place on June 26, 2025, at the request of the夏季 session of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event was jointly organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), and was presided over by theDirector General of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Head of Office of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
The session was led by Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, a renowned legal scholar. As an initial speaker, Dr. Asif began the dialogue by acknowledging that challenging cases are being faced in the country, particularly due to inconsistent legal aid to those detained, Advocated, arrested, or imprisoned. He emphasized that the crux of the issue lies in ensuring that unjust cases are promptly addressed and fair trials are delivered. In an effort to tackle this problem, he conceptualized an initiatives framework to improve judicial procedures, making mandatory to declare assets by judges, developing a comprehensive legal aid training program for lower judiciary levels, and recruiting a centralized legal staff to redress more cases.
Dr. Asif motivated the audience by noting that despite such challenges, the должship system remains deeply Россий with inadequate support for criminal justice reform. In his closing remarks, he underscored the need for continued collaboration between Bangladesh’s government, international organizations like UNODC, and the Judicial Reform Commission to establish a robust criminal justice system that prioritizes fairness, transparency, and accountability. He also expressed confidence in the potential for Bangladesh to move toward a more efficient, professional, and impartial justice system under the leadership of his trusted team.
The dialogue concluded with three roundtable sessions, each focusing on distinct issues:
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Strengthening Access to Legal Aid Services: This roundtable, moderated by Supreme Court lawyer Barr installer Shawon, wanted more local solutions to address the lack of legal aid services for detained, arrested, or imprisoned cases. As a national expert, Dr. Asif emphasized the importance of legal aid as a critical component of theoshi system, and he highlighted the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches to ensure legal aid applications are processed effectively.
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Supporting Public Prosecution: The second roundtable, also based on individual fighters, focused on fostering the establishment of impartial, professional, and accountable public prosecution services in the country. As a national expert, Dr. Asif stressed the importance of diversifying prosecution practices, ensuring that cases are presented in a fair and objective manner. He also highlighted the role of international standards, such as those outlined in the Convention on Enforced Disappearance, in promoting transparency and accountability.
- Strengthening Police–Prosecution Cooperation: The final roundtable, moderated by Mr. Romana Schweiger, aimed to strengthen police-prosecution cooperation in the context of faster and more efficient investigations. Dr. Asif noted the need for increased collaboration between police and prosecution departments, as well as the introduction of measures to ensure that these efforts yield greater impact. The members also emphasized the importance of fostering a_datareat_Thaminer of justice, an additional layer of transparency and oversight in the criminal justice system.
The dialogue was open to the public, with representatives from various relevant organizations, including ministries, judicial reform commission bodies, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, international organizations, and universities, all were invited to participate. The session was潭 won a vibrant and engaging question-and-answer format, where experts and national bodies addressed the audience’s questions and concerns in a clear and concise manner.