RAJSHAHI, Apr 29 (BSS): Speakers at a post-rally discussion have underlined the need for concerned efforts of all government and non-government organisations to provide greater access to justice to the poor, marginalised and socially excluded communities everywhere in the society free of cost.
They viewed infusing dynamism into the legal aid services could be an effective means of attaining the cherished goal.
Only the judiciary or any single organisation is not capable of ensuring legal aid to the underprivileged people but a comprehensive effort is essential in this regard. Responsive media role is also important for achieving the goal, they added.
Light House Consortium organised the event at Paba Upazila Parishad Complex conference hall in association with Improved Justice and Legal Aid Services Project, Upazila Legal Aid Committee and UKAID to mark the National Legal Aid Day-2015 yesterday.
More than 200 people comprising public representatives, government and non-government officials concerned, schoolboys and girls and other stakeholders joined the event.
Upazila Parishad Chairman Prof Mokbul Hossain addressed the programme as chief guest while Vice-chairmen Ashraful Haque Tota and Khairunnessa Begum spoke as special guests with Social Service Officer Abu Taher in the chair.
Light House Team Leader Nicholas Biswas, Cooperative Officer Abdul Hakim, Secondary Education Officer Muktadir Ahmed and Press Club President Kazi Nazmul Islam also spoke.
The discussants observed that all people are equal in the eyes of law so emphasis should be given on bringing the victimized people under the legal aid coverage whatever and whenever they require.
Giving priority to the legal aid related cases is very important in terms of speedy disposal in the greater interest of the distressed and poor justice-seeker litigants.
The judges, lawyers, police and others concerned should work together with the passion of providing services as the government is committed to provide legal aid services to the poor and distressed victims free of cost, they opined.
Importance should be given on establishing close coordination between the works of all the development organisations and judiciary alongside building a network to earn positive result in this regard.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of coordination among service providers, increasing the number of social workers, assigning gender sensitive public representatives and protection of human rights of victims of crimes.
