The United States Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires in Dhaka, Traci Ann Jacobson, on Thursday assured of extending all-out support to Bangladesh in enhancing the efficiency of the judiciary and ensuring its independence.
She gave the assurance when she made a courtesy call on chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the latter鈥檚 office in the Supreme Court in Dhaka, said a press release.
During the meeting, they discussed issues relating to enhancing the efficiency of the judiciary in the country, with especial focus on judicial cooperation, human rights protection and the rule of law.
The chief justice highlighted the initiatives he has undertaken over the past one year for the development of the judiciary, outlining the ongoing plans and reforms aimed at building an independent, strong and justice-based judicial system.
He also highlighted the role of Bangladesh鈥檚 judiciary in safeguarding human rights in the country.
Jacobson congratulated Refaat Ahmed on completing his first year as the chief justice and appreciated the initiatives he took for judicial development.
The US Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires also lauded the announcement of a judicial reform roadmap to establish a strong, independent and impartial judiciary, the issuance of the 12-point directives to ensure transparency in judicial services, the introduction of a capacity test to provide legal aid to defendants, the formation of the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council for the recruitment of judges for the apex court and the enactment of law in this regard, the launch of a Supreme Court helpline for litigants, and the implementation of development projects to enhance the capacity of lower courts.
She expressed the hope that under chief justice Refaat Ahmed鈥檚 strong leadership, Bangladesh will achieve significant progress in establishing good governance and ensuring justice.
