National Legal Aid Services Day was observed today across the country to ensure the rule of law, fundamental human rights and justice for everyone.
This year’s slogan of the day is “Smart Legal Aid, Smart Country, Bangabandhu’s Bangladesh”.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on Saturday wishing success of the day.
In his message, the President said that the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had dreamt of building a democratic and prosperous country which would be free from all sorts of discrimination. Bangabandhu established a strong judiciary system by enacting the Constitution in 1972 to ensure justice for the people.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said one of the main goals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was to establish the rule of law, fundamental rights and justice for all citizens. To do so, Bangabandhu included 18 fundamental rights in the Constitution in 1972, she added.
The inaugural function of the day was held at the capital’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium this morning. The function was addressed by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq as the chief guest with Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar in the chair.
The minister at the function reiterated his call for taking the legal aid programme to the doorsteps of the people to expedite the process and make it more successful, adding: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s main aim is to provide poor people justice through the legal aid.”
Various programs including holding discussions, meetings, legal aid fairs, publication and distribution of magazines, souvenirs and posters, have been organised at the district levels.
The day was observed in Netrokona as elsewhere in the country today with a call to ensure justice for all. The District Legal Aid Committee chalked out various programs marking the day.
As part of the programmes, a colorful rally was brought out from the district judge court premises in the morning and ended at the same place after parading main roads of the town.
After the rally, a discussion was held on the District Judge Court premises.
In Jhenaidah, the day’s programme was inaugurated by District Legal Aid Committee Chairman Senior District and Sessions Judge AM Saiful Islam by releasing pigeons and balloons.
A rally was brought out from district judge court premises and ended at the same place after parading main roads of the town.
After the rally, a discussion was also held on the district judge court premises.
Marking the day, a colorful rally was brought out around 9.30 am in Nilphamari. Discussion, blood donation camp and a fair were also organised by the District Legal Aid Committee.
Meanwhile, social organization ‘Friendship’ organized a legal aid fair in the capital’s Rabindra Sarobar area marking the day. Legal advice and services were provided at different stalls here throughout the day by its legal experts and paralegal teams.
At the fair, various aspects of legal services for people in remote char areas were showcased, including discussions on women and elderly rights, awareness sessions for adolescents on the consequences of child marriage, and civic responsibilities.