Dhaka: The National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) has extended legal assistance to 11,68,947 individuals who are poor, helpless, and financially disadvantaged from 2009 to January 2025. This initiative, carried out at government expense, aims to support those seeking justice in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the NLASO report reveals that a significant number of service recipients have benefitted from this program. Specifically, 28,611 individuals received free legal aid through the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, while 9,27,525 individuals were assisted via the Legal Aid Offices in the country’s 64 districts. Additionally, the Dhaka and Chittagong Workers’ Legal Aid Cells aided 29,075 individuals, and a further 1,83,736 people received support through the National Legal Aid Organization’s hotline, number 16430.
Prior to the establishment of the national helpline, 17,328 individuals were provided with legal services at government expense through the hotline. The legal aid services are administered under the ‘Legal Aid Act,’ focusing on assisting financially insolvent and incompetent individuals in their pursuit of justice.
The National Legal Aid Services Organization operates under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, facilitating access to justice for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.