13 Key Achievements of the Interim Government in Law and Justice

On Monday, November 11, the verified Facebook page of the Chief Advisor shared details highlighting 13 notable accomplishments in the legal and judicial sectors achieved during the interim government’s first three months. These efforts reflect the administration’s commitment to reforming the justice system and enhancing transparency.

Here are the 13 major achievements shared by the Law and Justice Division:

1. Judicial Reform Commission Support: The government has facilitated the formation of a Judicial Reform Commission, providing secretarial support to aid in essential judicial reforms.

2. Amendments to Key Laws: Initiatives have been taken to amend or repeal the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 and the Cyber Security Act 2023, with stakeholder discussions conducted, and drafts in the final stage based on collected feedback.

3. Judicial Appointments: Five judges were appointed to the Appellate Division, 23 to the High Court, and 109 to subordinate courts, including the Chief Justice of Bangladesh.

4. International Crimes Tribunal Appointments: Three judges, including the Chairman, have been appointed to the International Crimes Tribunal, along with 11 prosecutors, including the Chief Prosecutor.

5. Administrative Restructuring: Steps were taken to reorganize the divisions, branches, and sub-branches within the Law and Justice Division to enhance efficiency.

6. Attorney General Office Expansion: A total of 239 legal officers, including the Attorney General, Additional Attorney Generals, and Assistant Attorney Generals, have been appointed.

7. BGB Explosive Cases and Regional Court Reinforcements: Twenty law officers were appointed for BGB explosive cases, and 2,685 law officers were appointed to courts in 31 districts, with appointments for remaining districts nearing finalization.

8. Withdrawal of Protest-Related Cases: Nearly all criminal cases filed against students and citizens during the public protests between July 1 and August 5, 2024, have been withdrawn.

9. Dismissal of False Cases: The government has taken steps to identify and dismiss false and harassing cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Cyber Security Act.

10. Asset Declarations by Judicial Officials: Judges and officials within the Registration Department have submitted declarations of assets, with a directive issued for all employees within the Law and Justice Division to do the same.

11. Ratification of Anti-Enforced Disappearance Convention: The Law Ministry has supported the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

12. Formation of Investigation Commission for Enforced Disappearances: Support has been provided for establishing an investigative commission tasked with locating individuals who were previously disappeared and recommending legal action against those responsible. The commission has been granted authority to conduct investigations via the police.

13. Time-Bound Reform Plan: The Law and Justice Division has adopted a structured reform plan with specific timelines to ensure systematic improvements across the judicial system.

These actions demonstrate the interim government’s commitment to enhancing the legal and judicial framework, promoting accountability, and addressing long-standing issues within the justice sector.