United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Law & Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs jointly launched the National Justice Coordination Committee on Tuesday (27 February) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka in order to improve the justice service delivery in Bangladesh.

National Justice Coordination Committee (NJCC) is expected to create a significant impact on the justice system in Bangladesh as the committee will provide oversight and act as an advisory body for the whole justice sector as well as lead the sector’s strategic reform process.

Equitable access to justice for all citizens including women and vulnerable groups is a key priority for the Government of Bangladesh, which is also in line with the Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) of SDGs. Attending the launching event as the chief guest, Law Minister Anisul Huq said, “Justice sector reform is crucial for the improvement of justice service delivery in Bangladesh. There are many agencies in the justice sector but lack of coordination and cooperation among the agencies is hindering the delivery of justice efficiently. The National Justice Coordination Committee is launched today will help to improve the case management and justice service delivery.” He further added, “The Bangladesh Government considers that the establishment of the NJCC would contribute to the improved analysis of problems in the justice sector and ensure that resources are used as cost-effectively as possible.”

Umme Kulsum, Joint Secretary (Opinion), Law & Justice division, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, shared the international experience on coordination model while Bikash Kumar Saha, Joint Secretary (Admin) of the same ministry presented the guidelines and proposed road map of National Justice Coordination Committee.

Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Registrar General (In-charge), Supreme Court of Bangladesh, in his remarks as the special guest of the event, said “The National Justice Coordination Committee is a permanent meeting, advisory and decision-making structure that comprises the most senior officials and includes executive-level policy makers from across the sector. The role of the committee is to lead the justice sector’s strategic reform process based on inputs and analysis from the District Justice Coordination Committees and other key stakeholders.”

Chaired by the Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the NJCC is an inclusive multi-disciplinary forum which includes major justice sector actors and executive level policy makers and key agencies outside the sector such as the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Earlier, Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh in his welcoming remarks highlighted the role of UNDP and said, “Strengthened Justice and Human Rights institutions that better serve and protect human rights of all citizens including women and vulnerable groups, is one of the major outcomes, mentioned in the United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF). Through this initiative we are working with the government to ensure the access to justice for poverty eradication and human development, addressing all  inequalities. Without ensuring that, we can’t achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”

Among others, Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Registrar General (In-charge), Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Syed Iftekharuddin, Inspector General, Bangladesh Prison, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, BPM (Bar), Additional IGP, Bangladesh Police, ASSM Zahirul Haque, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs spoke at the event.