Legal aid people's right, not govt's generosity
NHRC chief tells SC Legal Aid Committee discussion
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque yesterday said the cases against the people awaiting trial in jail custody should be disposed of quickly.
There is no need for expanding the accommodation capacity of the jails, as a very little number of convicted prisoners are in custody, he said, adding, the human rights of the people languishing in jails for a long time without trial are being violated.
He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion on “The experience of the legal aid services at the Supreme Court and the role of NGOs” at the Supreme Court conference room.
The Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee (SCLAC) organised the meeting with its Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim in the chair on the occasion of National Legal Aid Day to be observed tomorrow.
The NHRC chairman said getting legal aid is a right of the people, not a generosity of the government.
SCLAC chairman said the NGOs can play a role in rehabilitating the people who get released from jails after a long period.
Every day, around 25 poor and destitute legal aid seekers approach the SCLAC office for legal assistance and they are provided with legal support after hearing their statements, the High Court judge told the meeting.
Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said a fund needs to be raised for the NGOs to rehabilitate the people who are released from jail after languishing in custody for long periods.
The NGOs have a scope to play a role in rehabilitating them, she said, adding that it would not be sustainable if the government does not play the key role in this regard.
The jail authorities have informed the SCLAC that 462 people have been languishing in jails with little progress in trial proceedings of cases against them and 58 of them have been in custody from five to 10 years and SCLAC has taken initiative to give them legal assistance, informed the SCLAC chairman.
The HC has so far granted bail to 18 people who have been languishing in jail for more than 10 years and issued directives for 40 others after the SCLAC has placed their issues before the court.