Speakers said at a daylong advocacy discussion all the community people and others concerned especially police, lawyers and judges should work together for ensuring legal aids to the grassroots poor, distressed and other needy litigants.
They said that entire people are equal to the eye of law so emphasis should be given on bringing all the victimised people under the legal aid coverage whatever and whenever they need.
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) organised the issue raising meeting styled “Access to Justice and Legal Aid” held at Durgapur Upazila Complex Auditorium in Rajshahi on Wednesday discussing ways and means of how to strengthen its legal aid activities. Community Legal Service Project supported the event.
Upazila Chairman Nazrul Islam addressed the discussion as the chief guest while Upazila Nirbahi Officer Akhterun Nahar, Vice-chairman Banesha Begum and Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat spoke as the special guests.
BLAST local unit president Advocate Najmus Sadat in the chaired the discussion moderated by its Coordinator Advocate Abdus Samad.
The speakers emphasised the need for efforts of all quarters to ensure access to justice of the distressed and disadvantaged people. They viewed that infusing dynamism in the legal aid services could be the effective means of attaining the cherished goal.
They said only the judiciary or any other single organisation is not capable to ensure legal aid to the underprivileged people but a comprehensive effort is essential in this regard.
Importance should be given on bringing close coordination between the works of all the development organisations and judiciary alongside building a network to earn positive result in this regard.
Besides, they emphasised the need for reaching the legal aid activities to the grassroots alongside expediting the services towards the poor and distressed victims for protecting their fundamental human rights.
