Need-based projects to provide legal aid to poor people

MYMENSINGH: Inspector General of Police A K M Shahidul Haque speaking at the media centre inaugural programme in Mymensingh as Chief Guest on Friday.
MYMENSINGH: Inspector General of Police A K M Shahidul Haque speaking at the media centre inaugural programme in Mymensingh as Chief Guest on Friday.
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BSS, Rajshahi :
A view exchange meeting about ensuring human rights to the poor, helpless and marginalized population through promotion of free legal aid service for them was held here yesterday.
Watchdogs to protect the vulnerable community underlined the need for taking up adequate measures to advocate vigorously the existing system of cost-free legal aid services among poor and distressed population to ensure justice for the underprivileged.
They pointed out that various development organisations at present are implementing need-based projects in order to provide legal aid services to the poor and distressed litigants including the ethnic minorities free of cost apart from the government services.
They said the voluntary organization had been developed for providing legal service as it was an effective way for large-scale promotion of alternative dispute resolution for the poor and vulnerable.
The issue was discussed elaborately in a view-sharing meeting styled “Human Rights for Marginalized Population: Reality and Responsibility” held in a city restaurant today.
Brotee Somaj Kolyan Sangstha (BSKS) under its project titled ‘Protecting the Vulnerable through Community Legal Services’ organised the meeting in association with Community Legal Services and UKaid.
With Shashanka Boron Roy, Coordinator of the project, in the chair, President of Rajshahi Advocates Bar Association Nazmus Sadaat, Additional Superintendent of Police Ahmad Ali, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, cultural activist Munira Rahman Mithi and Training and Communication Coordinator of BSKS Razendra Kumar Das spoke on the occasion as resource persons.
Regional and Legal Advocacy Coordinator Advocate Ashique Iqbal also discussed on various issues of the project area. He suggested accelerating the local justice system like village court and arbitration council stressing the need for creating mass awareness in this regard.
Advocate Nazmus Sadaat identified major causes of conflict over using common resources and suggested best practices for conflict management.
He also came out with number of recommendations that may be helpful to establish a congenial management system for use of common resources.
He acknowledged the contribution of ethnic communities in our liberation war and suggested that the state has its own duty to ensure land rights of the ethnic communities arguing for legal awareness and more legal aid provisions into the development agenda.

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