Backed by a strong parliamentary majority, the Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government has taken office amidst high public hopes. One of its key tasks is to address the growing unease surrounding the country’s justice system. The new administration faces the urgent need to restore trust, transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform in the judiciary.
According to Md. Arifujjaman, a Deputy Solicitor in Bangladesh’s Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, the BNP government inherits institutional challenges and a legacy of skepticism. To regain trust, the government must openly address past mistakes. Laws allowing mass arrests and broad prosecutorial discretion, especially under national security or digital regulations, require careful review to prevent misuse.
Arifujjaman emphasizes the importance of impartial judicial appointments and disciplinary mechanisms insulated from partisan influence. He suggests that cases perceived as politically motivated should undergo principled review for fairness. Political leaders are urged to show restraint, avoiding public commentary on ongoing cases or pressuring investigators, as this undermines public confidence.
The legal expert highlights that mass arrests, disputed trials, and the intertwining of political conflicts with judicial processes have eroded public trust in Bangladesh’s legal system. Restoring this trust will be a gradual process, requiring consistent application of the law regardless of political affiliations. Arifujjaman stresses the need for the judiciary’s independence to be demonstrated in practice, not just in words.
While a two-thirds parliamentary majority can easily amend laws, public trust cannot be legislated. It must be earned through visible fairness, procedural diligence, and a clear departure from past practices that raised doubts about justice in Bangladesh. Arifujjaman believes that keeping the law free from partisan influence will be more impactful than mere institutional reforms.
He concludes by stating that upholding the foundational principle of Bangladesh – where power is subservient to principle and courts exist to safeguard the rights of all – will be crucial for the new government. The journey ahead involves the meticulous and unglamorous task of rebuilding faith in justice, which will test Bangladesh’s democratic resilience.
