Lawyer not a business person: CJ

Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain said a lawyer is not a business person like other professionals, and his or her main concern should be justice and rule of law.
“Lawyers play an important role in dispensation of justice and establishment of rule of law. A lawyer is an officer of the court and his main concern should be justice and rule of law, no matter who wins or loses in a particular case,” he said.
He made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the annual convention of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) at Hotel Rupashi Bangla in the city yesterday.
“We must remember that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Now it is said that a very small section of lawyers are only interested in obtaining an order or judgement favourable to their clients. This mindset and attitude is not compatible with the glorious past of the lawyers' community of Bangladesh,” said the chief justice.
He said the country's judiciary is supportive of the progressive policies of the government on women and a protector of constitutional and legal rights of all especially women, children and members of ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities.
“Both Divisions of the Supreme Court in the recent past have delivered landmark judgements in upholding women and children's rights in participating in sports, cultural activities and other professional activities,” he said.
He said Bangladesh has made progress in the area of gender equality and women empowerment but girls and women are still prey to gender based violence at home, factory, on the street, in school, and in the community, which constituted serious violation of basic human rights.
“Despite promulgation of stringent and women friendly laws, setting up of specialised tribunals and courts, increased public awareness and women friendly role of the media, the incidents of sexual harassment and gender based violence are on the rise,” he said.
The chief justice said nearly all incidents of gender based violence are now reported and published due to “the vigilance of the expanding and rights sensitised media and increased public awareness” and “consequently the perpetrators are severely dealt with in accordance with law.”
BNWLA President Fawzia Karim Firoze presided over the programme which was addressed, among others, by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice M Imman Ali of the Appellate Division, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, acting chairman of Bangladesh Law Commission Prof Shah Alam, chairperson of West Bengal Women Commission Sunanda Mukherjee and executive director of BNWLA Salma Ali.