Dhaka: British High Commissioner in Dhaka Sarah Cooke today paid a courtesy call on Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed at his office in the Supreme Court here. The meeting focused on recent judicial initiatives aimed at strengthening the freedom of the judiciary in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the British envoy praised the Chief Justice’s efforts to institutionalize judicial independence. She expressed confidence that under Dr Ahmed’s leadership, the judiciary will play a crucial role in ensuring justice and fostering good governance in the country.
Sarah Cooke also highlighted the importance of recent initiatives such as the establishment of a separate secretariat for the judiciary, the formulation of policies regarding the transfer and appointment of judges in subordinate courts, and the creation of an independent commission for appointing High Court judges. She believes these steps will significantly contribute to the modernization of the judiciary.
Moreover, the British High C
ommissioner expressed her interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on various bilateral judicial issues. Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, in turn, shared his dedication to upholding the rule of law in Bangladesh and assured that the judiciary remains committed to protecting human rights. He also underscored the importance of mutual cooperation between the two countries in modernizing Bangladesh’s judicial system.