NGOs call for enhanced coordination to strengthen village courts’ effectiveness

A recent discussion on improving access to justice for marginalised communities at the village level emphasised the need for better coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and development partners to enhance the effectiveness of village courts in resolving local disputes in Bangladesh.

The event, titled ‘Legal Aid Service Providers’ Role in Ensuring Access to Justice for Marginalised People through Village Courts,’ was jointly organised by the Local Government Division, European Union, and UNDP at the InterContinental Dhaka. It brought together 24 representatives from government bodies, NGOs, and development partners.

In her opening remarks, additional secretary and project chief Surayya Akhtar Jahan highlighted that the government alone cannot ensure justice for every citizen. She called for greater collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and development partners to expand legal aid services for the underserved.

‘Government and NGOs must work together. You have specialised sectors that can provide legal assistance to vulnerable populations,’ said Surayya Akhtar Jahan. She also pointed out that the village-level justice system, often the first line of justice in rural areas, remains underfunded and neglected.

A representative from BRAC, ATM Morshed Alam, referred to the Justice Audit 2018 report, which found that nearly 30 per cent of petty disputes currently reaching formal courts could be resolved at the local level.

‘If village courts are implemented effectively, justice could be delivered right to people’s doorsteps,’ he stated.

Participants urged the Local Government Division and UNDP to involve paralegal aid organisations to safeguard village court decisions from interference by politically influential figures.

Md Ruhul Amin, a representative from World Vision, called for clearer guidance on how NGOs can support the village court project. He proposed formalising cooperation through a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

There was also a call for dialogue to prevent jurisdictional overlaps between village courts and the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO), under the Law and Justice Division, particularly regarding minor disputes.

In response, Rafiqul Islam, deputy secretary of the Law and Justice Division, clarified that the two systems do not conflict, except in matters related to divorce and maintenance.

Village courts, which perform quasi-judicial functions, can impose fines up to Tk 3,000 but face challenges with enforcement, as union parishad chairmen have limited authority to carry out their rulings.

A presentation at the meeting outlined the progress of the Village Court Project, launched in 2009. Between 2009 and 2015, the project was piloted in 351 unions, resolving over 69,000 of 87,224 cases, with 61,239 decisions implemented.

In its second phase (2017–2021), the project expanded to 1,079 unions, resolving over 200,000 cases and benefiting more than 52,000 women.

The ongoing third phase (2022–2027) has expanded the project to 4,453 unions, bringing justice services closer to rural and marginalised communities.

From February to July 2024, more than 25,000 cases out of 35,000 filed were resolved, according to the presentation.

Tanvir Mahmud, UNDP’s senior governance specialist, emphasised that the government is seeking ways to continue the village court program independently of UNDP’s support.

‘The government alone cannot activate village courts. We need collective action and coordination between UNDP and NGOs,’ Mahmud noted, acknowledging that many people remain unaware of village court services or are hesitant to use them.

The session began with a presentation by Bivash Chakraborty, National Communications Coordinator for AVCB-III, outlining the project’s background and progress.