Dhaka: Attorney General Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal today urged law officers to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and a firm commitment to upholding justice. He made the call while addressing a two-day training workshop titled "Strengthening the Policy and Practice of Prosecutorial Ethics for the Attorney General's Office of Bangladesh" in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the training, held for the first time for law officers of the Attorney General's Office, was organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for South Asia with the cooperation of UNDP Bangladesh. Addressing the programme, the Attorney General emphasized that the responsibilities of state law officers extend beyond merely conducting cases or securing convictions.
"One of their principal responsibilities is to provide the highest possible cooperation to the courts to ensure justice," he stated. He further emphasized the commitment of the Attorney General's Office to maintaining zero tolerance toward corruption, bribery, negligence of duty, concealment of documents, and any form of unethical influence in the judicial process. "Those involved in such unethical activities will have no place in the Attorney General's Office," he added.
UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques, who shared his experience of working in the justice sector across different countries, highlighted that justice is intricately linked to people's lives and dignity, beyond just law, courts, procedures, or punishment. "Integrity is not a part-time matter. It must be reflected every day and in every decision," he remarked.
UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Christian Holge stressed the critical role prosecutors play in the criminal justice system, urging them to perform their duties with firmness and impartiality. He underscored the necessity for prosecutors to maintain high standards of integrity in both personal and professional spheres while staying informed about changes in laws and legal systems.
The event was attended by Senior Rule of Law, Justice and Security Advisor of UNDP Bangladesh Romana Showghar, UNODC Bangladesh Country Office Head Shah Mohammad Nahiyan, and Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik Ar Hossain, along with domestic and international criminal justice experts. A total of 160 law officers, including Deputy and Assistant Attorneys General, from the Attorney General's Office are participating in the two-day workshop.