Dhaka: As the interim government undertakes reforms in the judiciary, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is extending its support to digitalise Bangladesh’s judiciary, aiming for full independence. The initiative is designed to modernize court operations and strengthen judicial autonomy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the UNDP is offering expert assessments and technical advice to facilitate the adoption of digital systems for case management, court proceedings, and public services. Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, noted that these efforts not only improve efficiency but also curtail corruption and external influence, thereby reinforcing judicial autonomy.
The UNDP emphasizes the importance of national leadership in the justice reform process, assisting in building sustainable in-house capacities within the judiciary. This model encourages ownership and resilience, enabling the judiciary to independently manage and drive reform processes over the long term.
Additionally, the UNDP is aiding the Supreme Court in establishing a hotline for court users to report abuses of office, ensuring adherence to judicial independence. To address case backlogs, the UNDP collaborates with court officials and experts to modernize and streamline case processing, which includes reviewing procedural backlogs and introducing digitalization in courts.
Furthermore, the UNDP is promoting mechanisms like mediation and ADR to divert minor and civil disputes from formal court processes, thereby alleviating pressure on the judiciary. Digitalization of legal aid services through an EU-supported project is also being implemented to reduce the backlog in legal aid offices and courtrooms.
Supreme Court reports indicate that by December 2024, there were 45,16,603 pending cases, with significant numbers in the Appellate Division, High Court, and lower courts. In response to public demand for justice reforms, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed unveiled a reform roadmap on 21 September 2024, aiming to enhance judicial independence and efficiency.
The UNDP, in partnership with Sweden, has become the main partner of the Supreme Court in implementing this roadmap. It supports a nationwide dialogue series with judges on judicial independence, integrity, and accountability, led by the Chief Justice. This workshop series seeks to transform justice delivery and deepen judges’ understanding of judicial independence.
To bolster the Supreme Court’s outreach, the UNDP has seconded a communications specialist and organized a workshop series with law reporters and the Supreme Court to enhance journalists’ knowledge of justice reforms.