News Flash
RAJSHAHI, Oct 9, 2025 (BSS) - Judicial officials at a view-sharing meeting here have pledged to extend legal assistance to marginalized communities, including ethnic minorities and Dalits, to ensure their peaceful and dignified coexistence in society.
They observed that despite being equal in the eyes of the law, ethnic minorities and Dalit people are still subjected to repression and discrimination by more privileged groups in society. Ensuring justice and participation for all citizens is vital for the nation's overall development.
The observations came during a "view-sharing meeting with judicial officials to make legal aid easier for ethnic minority, Dalit and other marginalized population" held at the conference hall of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Rajshahi on Wednesday afternoon.
DASCOH Foundation and HEKS EPER jointly organized the meeting as part of their project titled "Thriving through Equity, Economic Empowerment and Climate Resilience (THRIVE)".
Senior District Judge AHM Mahmudur Rahman and Judge of the Human Trafficking Crimes Prevention Tribunal Sheikh Nazmul Alam addressed the meeting as chief and special guests respectively. Saibun Nessa, Partnership Manager and Senior Programme Adviser (Gender Diversity and Advocacy) of HEKS EPER, chaired the session.
Among others, CJM Abdul Maleque, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Hamidul Islam, and Chief Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation Akramul Haque also spoke on the occasion.
Presenting the keynote paper, Advocacy Forum President Bimol Chandra Razoar illustrated the living and livelihood conditions of ethnic minority and Dalit communities in the region. He also placed several recommendations to ensure their legitimate rights through proper legal aid.
"We will provide legal support to ethnic minority and Dalit people wholeheartedly to boost their confidence and empower them," said Senior District Judge Mahmudur Rahman, urging subordinate judges to dispose of relevant cases without delay.
He noted that many of the community's issues could be addressed through the ongoing activities of the District Legal Aid Committee.
Judge Sheikh Nazmul Alam emphasized the importance of ensuring better access to rights and entitlements for marginalized communities by promoting inclusive governance and advocating for their legal and constitutional rights.
Project Coordinator Tofazzal Islam said the THRIVE project aims to create an enabling environment for improved and resilient living conditions for Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalized groups. The project focuses on enhancing their access to legal rights, and promoting socio-political, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
He informed that more than 9,000 people in Dhamoirhat, Mohadevpur, Patnitala, Niamatpur, Porsha, Sapahar, Manda, Gomostapur, and Nachole upazilas will directly benefit from the project interventions until December 2028.
Around 70 participants, including 45 senior and junior judges, attended the meeting.
