A global legal advocacy group has written to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, expressing serious concerns about the reported incidents of canceled nominations and lawyers facing obstacles in participating in district bar elections across the country. The Law Society of England and Wales, representing over 200,000 solicitors, emphasized that these actions contradict the “United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers,” crucial for protecting the independence and professional autonomy of the legal profession.
The Law Society cited reports from February to April 2026, alleging that numerous Awami League-aligned lawyers and independent candidates were obstructed from participating in district bar and Supreme Court Bar Association elections in Bangladesh. It noted instances where candidates were prevented from submitting nomination papers and even faced physical harassment.
Highlighting the rejection of nomination papers on grounds of being labeled “collaborators of fascists” and police pressuring candidates to withdraw by associating them with the previous government, the Law Society raised concerns about interference eroding the legal profession’s independence and the rule of law. The group stressed the importance of allowing lawyers to participate freely and safely in governance processes to maintain public confidence in an impartial justice system.
The Law Society urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure equal participation of all lawyers in bar association elections without discrimination. It called for investigations into allegations of electoral irregularities, obstruction, harassment, or violence across concerned bar associations. Additionally, the group emphasized the need for lawyers in Bangladesh to carry out their professional duties without fear of reprisal, hindrance, intimidation, or harassment to uphold the integrity of the administration of justice and the rule of law.
