Anti-Generic Learning and Rebellious Lawyering

The Book Launching Ceremony of 'Anti- Generic Learning and Rebellious Lawyering: Reflections on Legal Education in Bangladesh', authored by Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Director, Centre for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) of the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka (DU) and Former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), took place at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of DU on July 21, 2018. 

The Honourable Speaker of the House of Nations, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury was the Chief Guest while Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Honourable Vice Chancellor, DU presided over the event. Professor Dr. M. Shah Alam, Former Member of the Law Commission of Bangladesh, as well as Professor Dr. Abul Barakat, Professor of Economics, DU, reviewed the author's work. Moreover, Professor Dr. Md. Rahmat Ullah, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka delivered the welcome speech of the programme.

Throughout their speeches, the speakers mentioned that the idea of 'rebellious lawyering', which aims to bring a change from top to bottom of our traditional legal education curriculum, is the brainchild of Dr. Mizanur Rahman. They noted that Dr. Mizan's viewpoint regarding the pre-liberation war era legal education system not being effective at all to deal with the problems of the mass people and to uphold the lofty principles of equality, human dignity and social justice as laid down in our Constitution, led to him striving towards bringing a change in the way legal education was imparted in Bangladesh.

The distinguished speakers also lauded the various initiatives of Dr. Mizan, including, but not limited to street lawyering for the common people, human rights summer school, community law reform, etc. They advocated for a pro-people, pro-social legal education in all law schools of Bangladesh in future, in the light of his successful initiatives. Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman, in his speech, noted that the center of all his initiatives till now has been rebellious lawyering, i.e. the use of law to empower the poor.

Professor Dr. Shah Alam meticulously reviewed the book and observed that this masterpiece would enormously impact and improve legal education and legal practice in Bangladesh. Referring to Dr. Mizan as the political economist of jurisprudence, Dr. Abul Barakat made an interdisciplinary review of the book, stating various discomforts that the author has faced throughout his career and the means to effectively lessen the plight of the poor for creating a level playing field for all to ensure justice in the society.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, who happened to be a student of Dr. Mizan, praised the author for emphasising more upon clinical legal education in his book, which she felt was essential to disseminate practical knowledge to the students. However, she strongly stated that rebellious lawyering should be done for people in every sector of life, not just for the poor people only. 

The Vice Chancellor of DU, Professor Dr. Akhtaruzzaman delivered his vote of thanks to all the guests of the event and said that the insightful discussions from all the speakers have enlightened everyone's minds and it would help everyone to stand for truth and justice.

Numerous law students, academics, legal practitioners and researchers, judges of lower courts, members of the civil society, etc. were present at the event.

THE EVENT WAS COVERED BY ALI MASHRAF, A STUDENT OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA.