The Supreme Court of Bangladesh held a special dialogue on Saturday to engage law students from public universities in ongoing judicial reform efforts.
The day-long event, titled Mutual Exchange: A Dialogue Between the Supreme Court and Law Students from Public Universities, was held at the Supreme Court Auditorium and brought together 60 law students from 15 universities including Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Jahangirnagar, and other universities. The program was supported by GIZ Bangladesh.
The dialogue, chaired by Appellate Division registrar Hasanuzzaman, featured remarks from Supreme Court registrar general Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, High Court Division registrar Mohammad Habibur Rahman Siddiquee, Islamic University Law Faculty dean Halima Khatun, and GIZ senior advisor Syed Ziaul Hasan.
The speakers at the event stressed that this initiative was a part of a broader push to modernise the judiciary under the leadership of chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed.
The reforms, launched in September 2024 after ouster of Awami League government through student led mass uprising on August 5, 2024, focus on enhancing judicial independence, transparency, and efficiency. Supreme Court officials outlined several key initiatives being implemented as part of this transformation.
A keynote paper presented by Md Muajjem Hussain, special officer of the High Court Division, detailed a reform road map.
The key proposals include reinstating the Supreme Judicial Council to oversee removal of Supreme Court judges, establishing a separate judicial secretariat for administrative autonomy, creating a transparent transfer and posting framework for subordinate court judges, forming a Supreme Judicial Appointment Council to ensure fair and open appointment of judges, introducing a Supreme Court helpline to improve public access to justice, recognising judges as part of a distinct judicial cadre, similar to the administrative cadre, recommending a posting system involving the law ministry in consultation with the Supreme Court.
In addition, a 12-point directive has been issued to improve judicial service delivery and institutional performance.
鈥楾hese reforms are not symbolic. They are a serious effort to institutionalise change and restore public trust in the judiciary,鈥� said registrar general Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan.
High Court Division registrar Mohammad Habibur Rahman Siddiquee added, 鈥榃e want to make the justice system more transparent, accountable, and accessible for everyone.鈥�
The event also allowed students to ask questions and offer their views. Officials noted the importance of involving the next generation of legal professionals in shaping a more modern and responsive justice system.
