Judicial
Training Workshop for District Judges
Judicial capacity
building has been occupying a priority consideration in Bangladesh Institute
of law and International Affairs (BILIA) activities. Considering the
urgent need for reforming the existing century old justice delivery
system, the institution is concentrating on the necessity of imparting
training to the judicial officers across the country.
With this view BILIA
has undertaken its 8th Judicial Training Workshop for 25 District Judges
from 22-29 August 2004 under the project on Providing Judicial Training
to Compliment the ongoing Legal and Judicial Training Efforts.
His
Excellency Mr. Jose Lino B. Guerrero, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic
of the Philippines, Ambassador Waliur Rahman, Director, BILIA and Senator
Iqbal Haider of Pakistan inaugurated the programme.
The issue of the
first session of the workshop was "Status of Women's Rights".
Advocate Towhida Khondoker, BNWLA, Advocate Alena Khan, Mohila Parishad,
and Mr. Justice K.M Subhan were presented as resource person in the
session.
Mr. Justice K.M
Subhan opined that Judges should look into the interest of women that
can guarantee the rights of women, which is fragrantly been violated.
Both Advocate Towhida Khondoker and Advocate Alena Khan pointed out
the loopholes in the existing legal system that give rise to suffering
and agony for women. They gave the example of levy warrant for which
a women has to wait month after month to establish their right.
Mr. Justice Md.
Tafazzal Islam and Dr. Naim Ahmed expressed their view on "Concept,
Development and Scope of Public Interest Litigation and the Role of
Judiciary."
The fourth session
of the workshop was conducted by Dr. Mizanur Rahman on the topic "Applicability
of Norms of International law in Municipal Courts". The discussion
focused on how to address international law in Bangladesh municipal
courts. The resource persons discussed the origin of Rule of Law emanating
from Magnacarta and stressed its importance in a democratic society.Mr.Justice
K.M Subhan, Mr. Justice Ebadul Haque, Mr. Justice A.K.M Fazlur Rahman
provided their important discussion on "The Process of Initiating
Criminal Proceedings and Investigation, Framing of Charge and Trial".
The other important
topics that were discussed in the workshop included: Personal laws as
applicable in Bangladesh and need for reforms, Theory and practice of
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), The laws relating to violence
against women: their implementation and need for reform, Case management
system and the role of Judges in light of the existing laws and need
for reform and a model case management for Bangladesh, Rethinking the
protection of consumer rights, Concept and development of Independence
of judiciary in the light of the constitution and leading case laws
etc.
Hon'ble Minister
for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Moudud Ahmed was
presented at the concluding session and distributed certificates among
the participating District and Session Judges.
