National Legal Aid Day inaugurated to advance access to justice in Bangladesh

Jointly organized by the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid and UNDP Bangladesh under the "Accelerating Digital Legal Aid Services in Bangladesh" project, funded by the European Union, National Legal Aid Day (NLAD) 2026 was inaugurated today in Dhaka. The initiative aims to expand access to justice, particularly for poor and marginalized communities, by promoting digital platforms, including the national legal aid helpline (16699), and strengthening coordination among justice sector stakeholders.

The high-level inaugural ceremony brought together senior government officials, representatives from the judiciary, development partners, and civil society. The programme featured a documentary on government legal aid services, reflections from July fighters, family members of victims of enforced disappearance and beneficiaries of Legal Aid Services, and the presentation of awards recognizing contributions to legal aid service delivery.

National Legal Aid Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about government legal aid services and to strengthen connections between service providers and communities. This year's observance places a strong emphasis on expanding digital legal aid services to improve accessibility and outreach across the country.

In his address, the Prime Minister to Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman stated, "Access to justice is a constitutional right of every citizen, and in a democratic state, no one should be denied fair justice due to financial constraints. Justice is not only a matter of courts or law; it is a fundamental pillar of a humane and responsible system of governance".

Md. Asaduzzaman, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs added, "National Legal Aid Day is not just a formality; it reflects our commitment to making justice accessible to every citizen. While rights are guaranteed in law, barriers still prevent many from realizing them. Legal aid has therefore become a vital instrument of the state, not just a support programme, but a practical pathway to delivering justice for all".

Md. Monjurul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid said, "Financial constraints often remain a major barrier to accessing justice. Through strengthened legal aid services, we are committed to ensuring that justice is not limited by means but reaches every corner of the country".

Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh remarked, "Bangladesh's progress toward judicial independence and reform reflects a strong commitment to the rule of law, one that the European Union is proud to support in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect."

The event was also attended by several high-level dignitaries, including A B M Abdus Sattar, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Dr. Nasimul Gani, Cabinet Secretary; Liakat Ali Molla, Secretary of the Law and Justice Division; and Sonali Dayratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh.