Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the 'National Legal Aid Day-2026' at a function held at Shahbagh in the capital on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: PMO

DHAKA, April 28, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the National Legal Aid Day-2026 programmes at a function in the city.

The premier launched the programmes at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in the city’s Shahbagh area this noon.

The Law and Justice Division has taken extensive programmes to observe the National Legal Aid Day with the theme “Sarkari Khoroche Birodh Shesh, Sobar Agee Bangladesh (Resolving disputes with government expense, Bangladesh comes first)”.

Besides, necessary measures have been taken to observe the day in a befitting manner in line with the coordinated programmes initiated by district, metropolitan, upazila, union and Special Legal Aid Committees to ensure legal rights for the poor, lower-income, and underprivileged people across the country.

The activities of the National Legal Aid organization are operated under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

The National Legal Aid Day in Bangladesh is observed annually on April 28 to raise awareness about free legal services for the underprivileged people in the country.

The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry organized the event while Law Minister Md Asaduzzman, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller and Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid Md Monjurul Hossain took part in the discussion.

Prime Minister’s daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman was present at the function, among others.

Sharing his personal experience while serving in jail, Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman said, “I also had to remain in prison for a long time due to political vengeance. There were many inmates at that time who were forced to stay in prison for years without trial due to financial hardship”.

Stating that justice is the foundation of progress and peace in any state and society, he said, “People in every age have aspired for a discrimination-free system, guarantee of living with equal rights and dignity. Mutual trust, compassion and equality are essential for a justice based society”.

Justice is not only a matter of courts or law, but it is the core strength of a humane and responsible state system, the Prime Minister said, adding, “We believe that a country without rule of law, justice, and human rights cannot be a humane state”.

After more than a decade and a half, people have started walking once again on the path of democracy, he said, adding, “To consolidate this journey, there is no alternative to establishing the rule of justice in the country”.

Stating that every citizen has the right to access to justice, Tarique Rahman said the government continues legal aid programmes to ensure no one is deprived of ‘access to justice’ due to financial constraints.

The government is trying to ensure that no victim is deprived of justice because they cannot afford a lawyer, he said, adding, “This is the expectation of the current government that justice should become a reality in every person’s life, not just in law books”.

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