Bangladesh endorses measures to access justice at Commonwealth law ministers meeting

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor,Shottobani

London: Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh, endorsed a new set of measures at the Commonwealth law ministers meeting in Zanzibar last Friday, designed to improve people’s access to justice.

The measures resulted from four-day deliberations among law ministers at their biennial meeting in Tanzania. They were also guided by input from diverse stakeholders, including people with disabilities, civil society representatives and leading innovators in the legal sector. Under these measures, law ministers resolved to ramp up efforts to remove barriers to access to justice and address the legal needs of all citizens. Key provisions include improved access to justice for people with disabilities, a model law on virtual assets, a new action plan to protect women from online violence and a proposal to eliminate gender-discriminatory legislation.

Ministers also welcomed an array of new Commonwealth legal resources, including a mediation guide, a small claims court app for dispute resolution and a database for cooperation on criminal matters. Additionally, they adopted the Commonwealth guidelines on treating electronic evidence in criminal proceedings, designed to offer member countries a framework to craft national legislation.

Speaking after the meeting, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said the measures were “absolutely critical” because two-thirds of the world’s population lack meaningful access to justice.

Hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania from 4 to 8 March 2024, the meeting was chaired by Hon. Ambassador Dr Pindi H. Chana, the country’s Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, who commended the substantive outcomes.

The outcomes from the meeting will shape the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa later this year.