The Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association has rejected the nomination papers of 42 out of 90 candidates for its upcoming elections, alleging ties to the Awami League. This move has triggered international criticism and concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. The rejection of pro-Awami League lawyers in various district bar association polls based on political ideology has also raised serious apprehensions.
The President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), Roman Zavrsek, expressed alarm in a letter to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister regarding the reported incidents of hindrances faced by lawyers in district bar elections. The CCBE, representing legal bodies from 46 countries and over 1 million European lawyers, highlighted instances where lawyers were obstructed from participating and subjected to harassment.
Referring to information from Justice Makers Bangladesh in France, the CCBE President noted cases of pro-Awami League lawyers being prevented from submitting nomination papers and facing physical harassment during elections. The CCBE emphasized the importance of upholding the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and called for a thorough investigation into electoral irregularities and harassment in bar associations across Bangladesh.
The CCBE stressed the need for all lawyers to be able to carry out their professional duties without fear of reprisal or intimidation to safeguard the independence of the legal system. It urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that bar association elections are conducted fairly and without discrimination, in line with international legal standards.
