Bangladesh witnessed effective judiciary and legal reforms in one year of interim government sworn in on August 8 last year after Sheikh Hasina stepped down from premiership and fled to India amid mass uprising, ending her almost 16 years autocratic rule.
Nobel Laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus led interim government took oath after Sheikh Hasina's downfall on August 5 and initiated a wide range of reforms to bring back stability, order and accountability in different sectors to be ruined by prolonged misrule of Awami League, reports BSS.
As part of reform initiatives, the current government formed 10 commissions to strengthen and modernise different ministries and public institutions as the commissions submitted their reports for reforms resulting in accomplishing major changes in judiciary and legal system in one year.
On October 3, 2024, the government issued a gazette notification forming a Judicial Reform Commission in the backdrop of the political shift during the July-August uprising that saw at least 1400 deaths and around 20000 injuries in attacks on uprisers by law enforcers and AL cadres.
The Judicial Reform Commission submitted its recommendations on February 15, 2025, aiming to establish an independent, neutral, and effective judiciary system in the country.
The commission was headed by former Supreme Court Appellate Division Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has implemented several major reform initiatives over the past year. The highlighted reforms are:
Amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973: Two separate ordinances were issued on February 10 and May 10, 2025, that modernised and internationalised the Act.
Reconstitution of the International Crimes Tribunal: The prosecution team was reorganised on September 5, 2024, followed by the investigation agency on September 18, 2024. On May 8, 2025, the government formed ICT-2 while designating the previously restructured tribunal as ICT-1.
Modernisation of the ICT Building: In collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the old High Court building housing the tribunal was renovated.
Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025: The ordinance was enacted on January 21, 2025. For the first time in Bangladesh's history, a public circular was issued on May 28, 2025, inviting applications for judge appointments.
Amendments to the Civil Procedure Code: Litigants no longer need to give oral testimony in person day after day and will be able to submit their testimony in writing by affidavits.
Amendments to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act: Provisions include creation of a separate Child Rape Tribunal, mandatory investigations within 30 days, trials within 10 days, and categorisation of boy-child molestation as a separate offence.
