Welcome to Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project
The formal justice system in Bangladesh is under tremendous pressure with much workload and inadequate number of officials and staff to dispose the cases. As a result, the case backlogs add up to the existing pending cases and at present it stands on about half a million cases. It creates a negative impact for the rural poor and vulnerable group of people who cannot afford the expenses of cases and do not have clear understanding of how to get access to justice in the upper courts on some issues that could be easily resolved at the local level. The Ministry of Local Government Division (LGD), UNDP and the European Commission jointly have undertaken a programme titled ‘Activating SVillage Courts in Bangladesh’ to providing support to the justice system through this project in 500 selected Union Parishads (UP) of the country. It also intends to develop capacity of the village court members, elected representatives and support staff. Motivation programme will be carried out in order to sensitize all concerned on the role and functions of village courts and their benefits on the overall justice system.
Program Updates
The Project had the 7th PIC meeting
The 7th Project Implementation Committee (PIC) Meeting of Village Courts Project was held on April 25, 2013 at Conference Room of Local Government Division, MoLGRD&C. Mr. K M Mozammel Hoq, NPD of Village Courts Project & Additional Secretary, LGD, MoLGRD&C presided over the meeting. Mr. Sarder Md. Asaduzzaman, Project Manager, AVCB project updated the PIC members about the progress of the activities including updates from the last PIC meeting
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project organized the 4th Project Reflection Workshop in Dhaka on 24-25 March, 2013. Along with selected participants of 4 partner NGOs (MLAA, ESDO, BLAST & WAVE Foundation), the one and half day long Workshop was enriched with the presence of Mr. K. M. Mozammel Hoq, National Project Director and Additional Secretary, Local Government Division, MoLGRD&C as Chief Guest
District Workshop on Village Courts Held in Cox’s Bazar
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh organized a district workshop titled “strengthening sensitization and involvement of the stakeholders in activating Village Courts” on December 29, 2012 at Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Room in Cox’s Bazar. The project arranged this workshop aiming to sensitize the local stakeholders acquainted with the VCs in endeavors to contribute in activating village courts
Village Courts Project’s Stall in LGED’s Victory Day Fair 2012
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project took part in LGED’s Victory Day Fair by having a resourceful and decorative stall at the LGED premises in Agargoan. The Fair was organized by LGED from December 15 to 17, 2012. Mr. Jahangir Kabir Nanak, State Minister for MoLGRD&C inaugurated the fair and Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Minister, Ministry of Finance concluded the fair
Ambassador and Head of Delegations of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Mr. William Hanna highly appreciated the ongoing activities of the Village Courts in bringing justice to the doorsteps of the rural people while visiting Bhangni Union Parishad of Mithapukur Upazila in Rangpur District on October 4, 2012. He expressed these feelings while observing an on-going trial session of a Village Court
UNDP Country Director Visits Village Courts in Kishoreganj
Mr. Stefan Priesner, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh spoke on the profound importance of Village Courts in delivering justice services at the rural level especially for the disadvantaged people, while visiting Masua and Achmita Union Parishads of Kotiadi Upazila in Kishoreganj on 27 September 2012
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project organized a workshop titled on “strengthening sensitization and involvement of the stakeholders in activating Village Courts” on September 17, 2012 at Rajbari. The project arranged this workshop aiming to sensitize the local stakeholders acquainted with the VCs in endeavors to contribute in activating village courts
District Workshop on Village Courts held in Chittagong
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a district workshop titled on “strengthening sensitization and involvement of the stakeholders in activating Village Courts” on August 27, 2012 at Circuit House Conference Room in Chittagong
Orientation Workshop on Village Courts Management Committee Held
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized an orientation workshop on Village Courts Management Committee (VCMC) at Long Beach Hotel, Cox’s Bazar, on 28 August, 2012. The objective of the orientation workshop was to orient the DCs, DDLGs and UNOs on the functions, potentials and responsibilities of VCMC. Mr. K M Mozammel Hoq, Additional Secretary, LGD, MoLGRD&C and National Project Director of AVCB was present as the Chief Guest at the orientation program
With continuous efforts to sensitize key stakeholders of activating village courts, the project tilted ‘Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh’ organized a district workshop on strengthening sensitization and involvement of the stakeholders on Village Courts on July 31, 2012 at Deputy Commissioner's Conference Room, Chuadanga
District workshop on Village Courts held at Pirojpur
In the continuous endeavor to sensitize and involve key stakeholders for activating village courts, the project tilted ‘Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh’ organized a district workshop on strengthening sensitization and involvement of relevant stakeholders on Village Courts on July 15, 2012
“Make village courts functional all over the country” – Prime Minister
The Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed making Village Courts functional all over the country widening justice services to rural people in an affordable and easy manner. ‘The government is considering appointing a judicial assistant to each union parishad (UP) across the country to help public representatives make the village courts operational’ she said while delivering speech as the Chief Guest at inauguration program of two-day long Village Courts Conference 2012
National Consultation on Role of Media in Activating Village Courts held
A National Consultation on Role of Media in Activating Village Courts was held on April 18, 2012 at the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, Dhaka. Mr. Jahangir Kabir Nanok MP, Honb’le State Minister, Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C), graced the consultation as the Chief Guest. H.E. Mr William Hanna, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh and Mr. Stefan Priesner, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh were present as Special Guests
In an effort to boost field level awareness and community mobilization on Village Courts, AVCB Project initiated a program to train Imams and religious leaders on VCs at the union level in project areas. The project conducts this activity aiming to enhance the knowledge and understanding of religious leaders on VCs as they have
Village Courts Project observed the International Women’s Day
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project observed the International Women’s Day with rounding off different programs across its intervention areas. The programs included rally, essay writing competition, poetry recitation, seminar, debate competition etc. which took place at 12 districts of Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rangpur divisions where
The 6th Project Implementation Committee (PIC) Meeting of Village Courts Project was held on February 19, 2012 at Conference Room of Local Government Division, MoLGRD&C. Mr. K M Mozammel Hoq, NPD of Village Courts Project & Additional Secretary, LGD, MoLGRD&C presided over the meeting
Workshop on Amalgamation of Arbitration Council with Village Courts Held in Cox’s Bazar
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a workshop with judicial officers on the Amalgamation of Arbitration Council with Village Courts held at Hotel Uni Resort, Cox’s Bazar. on February 14, 2012. Ms. Rokeya Begum, Tribunal Judge of Cox’s Bazar graced the workshop as the Chief Guest while Mr. Mukter Ahmed, District and Sessions Judge, Cox’s Bazar presided over the event. Mr. Sayed Humayun Azad, Chief Judicial Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a workshop titled “strengthening sensitization and involvement of the stakeholders in activating Village Courts” on January 31, 2011 in Gopalganj. The project arranged this workshop aiming to sensitize local stakeholders about VCs.
Training Workshop on Gender, Human Rights and Village Courts
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a training workshop on gender, human rights and Village Courts on January 31, 2012 at DC’s Conference Hall in Chuadanga. The event was aimed at furthering the capacity of the district and upazila level government officials of Department of Women and Child Affairs, administration, UP Chairmen and other key stakeholders on gender, human rights and village courts issues
Workshop on “Role of Media in activating Village Courts” held at Narail
As a part of the continuous efforts to strengthen the local justice services at rural level through ushering the active participation and involvement of media along with other key stakeholders, ‘Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project’ organized a Media Workshop titled “Role of Media in activating Village Courts” held on November 22, 2011 at Narail
Training on ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of Village Courts’ held
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a four-day long residential training on Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework of Village Courts for the Field Team Members from September 18 to 21, 2011 in Chittagong
Consultation on Integration of VC Issues in the Curricula of BCSAA held
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project organized a consultation workshop with BCSAA on Integrating Village Court Issues in their training curricula on September 6, 2011 in Dhaka. The project organized the consultation aiming to integrate the VC issues in the regular training curricula of BCSAA
Local Government Division will award Best Performing Union Parishad
The Local Government Division introduces award for the best performing Union Parishads (UP) for performing activities in the Village Courts. The 5th Project Implementation Committee (PIC) meeting- held on 24th August at the LGD Ministry announced the award scheme
National Consultation on The Village Courts Act, 2006: Challenges and Way Forward held
ctivating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a national consultation on ‘The Village Courts Act, 2006: Challenges and Way Forward’ on July 30, 2011 in Dhaka. The event aimed to share the legal review report and thus move forward for necessary legal reform
AVCB organized Interactive Workshop with Cabinet Division Officers
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project organized an Interactive Workshop with Cabinet Division Officers on Village Courts at Cabinet Division Conference Room on June 30, 2011. The project initiated the event aiming to highlight the potentials of village courts i.e. functions, progresses and implementation
Imams and Religious leaders are getting well conversant about village courts
As part of several activities for boosting field level awareness and community mobilization on Village Courts, AVCB Project initiated to train the Imams and religious leaders on VCs at union level in project areas. The project conducts this activity aiming to enhance the knowledge and understanding of religious leaders on village courts
District Workshops on “Role of Media in activating Village Courts” held in Faridpur
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a Media Workshops on the “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts at Union Level” on June 12, 2011 in Faridpur. The project arranged this workshop aiming to avail the local media (print and electronic) acquainted with the VCs in endeavors to activate the village courts. Mr. Helaluddin Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner, Faridpur was present as Chief Guest
Village Courts Project’s NPD & PM observed field level activity at Rangpur
Mr. Syed Mahboob Hasan, the NPD, AVCB project & Additional Secretary, LGD, MoLGRD&C and Mr. Sarder M Asaduzzaman, PM, AVCB observed some field level project activities from May 24 to 26, 2011 in Rangpur. They visited Rajendrapur & Parul Union Parishad under Sadar and Pirgacha Upazila respectively to review the progress of field level activities
District Workshops on “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts” held in Gopalganj, and Rajbari
As a part of the continuous efforts to strengthen the local justice services at rural level for the marginalized including destitute women, ‘Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project’ organized two Media Workshops on “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts” on May 15 and 19th respectively in Gopalganj and Rajbari. The project arranged these workshops aiming to avail the local media (print and electronic)
Training on ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of Village Courts’ held
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organized a 3-day long residential training on Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework of AVCB Project at RDRS in Rangpur from May 24 to 26, 2011
Reflection Workshop held for Village Courts Project
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh (AVCB) project organized an day and half Project Reflection Workshop at BIAM Foundation on 11th – 12th May with an agenda to ensure stronger coordination, devise follow up plan of monitoring visit findings, develop a common understanding on the quality
Workshop on Village Courts Project M & E Framework held
With a view to strengthening the monitoring and oversight function of Village Courts Project, the "Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh" Project organized a consultative workshop at national level on May 05, 2011 at BRAC Center Inn
District Workshops on “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts” held in Rangpur, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat
As a part of the continuous efforts to strengthen the local justice services at rural level for the marginalized including destitute women, ‘Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project’ organized three Media Workshops on the “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts at Union Level” on April 24, 26 and 28th
As part of series Training for Trainers (ToT) programs on Village Courts, Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project organised three different slots of ToT on Village Courts (each slot continues for 12 days ) from November last year to January this year at National Institute of Local Government (NILG) in Dhaka
Workshop on “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts” held
As a part of continuous efforts to strengthen the local justice services at rural level for marginalised people including the destitute women, the Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project organised a media workshop titled “Role of Media in Activating Village Courts at Union Level” on Wednesday, 15 December at Vandaria, Pirojpur.
Workshop on “Institutional Monitoring and Evaluation of Village Courts” held
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project organised a workshop on “Institutional Monitoring and Evaluation of Village Court” on Tuesday, 28 December at BCS Admin Academy Auditorium, Dhaka.
Ensuring access to justice system is key to ensure good governance and eventual poverty reduction. In this context, the formal justice system in Bangladesh is under tremendous pressure with huge caseload and experiencing inadequacy of human resources and necessary logistics to dispose off the pending cases. Consequently, the case backlogs add up further to the existing piles of disputes and presently the number stands about two millions. It implicates a negative consequence on the lives of rural poor and vulnerable groups who cannot afford the expenses of cases and lacks clear understanding of how to obtain justice in the formal courts, where as significant parts of those case backlogs could easily be resolved through the local level justice system.<<Details>>
