DHAKA, April 28, 2024 (BSS) - National Legal Aid Services Day was observed

today across the country to ensure the rule of law, fundamental human rights
and justice for everyone.

This year's slogan of the day is "Smart Legal Aid, Smart Country,
Bangabandhu's Bangladesh".

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued
separate messages on Saturday wishing success of the day.
 
In his message, the President said that the greatest Bengali of all time,
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had dreamt of
building a democratic and prosperous country which would be free from all
sorts of discrimination. Bangabandhu established a strong judiciary system by
enacting the Constitution in 1972 to ensure justice for the people.
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said one of the main goals of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was to establish the rule of law,
fundamental rights and justice for all citizens. To do so, Bangabandhu
included 18 fundamental rights in the Constitution in 1972, she added.
 
The inaugural function of the day was held at the capital's Osmani Memorial
Auditorium this morning. The function was addressed by Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq as the chief guest with Law and
Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar in the chair.

The minister at the function reiterated his call for taking the legal aid
programme to the doorsteps of the people to expedite the process and make it
more successful, adding: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's main aim is to
provide poor people justice through the legal aid."

Various programs including holding discussions, meetings, legal aid fairs,
publication and distribution of magazines, souvenirs and posters, have been
organised at the district levels.

The day was observed in Netrokona as elsewhere in the country today with a
call to ensure justice for all. The District Legal Aid Committee chalked out
various programs marking the day.

As part of the programmes, a colorful rally was brought out from the district
judge court premises in the morning and ended at the same place after
parading main roads of the town.

After the rally, a discussion was held on the District Judge Court premises.

In Jhenaidah, the day's programme was inaugurated by District Legal Aid
Committee Chairman Senior District and Sessions Judge AM Saiful Islam by
releasing pigeons and balloons.

A rally was brought out from district judge court premises and ended at the
same place after parading main roads of the town.

After the rally, a discussion was also held on the district judge court
premises.

Marking the day, a colorful rally was brought out around 9.30 am in
Nilphamari. Discussion, blood donation camp and a fair were also organised by
the District Legal Aid Committee.

Meanwhile, social organization 'Friendship' organized a legal aid fair in the
capital's Rabindra Sarobar area marking the day. Legal advice and services
were provided at different stalls here throughout the day by its legal
experts and paralegal teams.

At the fair, various aspects of legal services for people in remote char
areas were showcased, including discussions on women and elderly rights,
awareness sessions for adolescents on the consequences of child marriage, and
civic responsibilities.