The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and LAWASIA have expressed “immense concern” regarding repeated reports of alleged interference in the bar elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) of Bangladesh.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the international legal organisations highlighted that despite the SCBA notifying a nomination period between 19 April 2026 and 28 April 2026, multiple qualified lawyers were refused nomination by the current administration without hearings, written reasons, or formal decisions.
These candidates were reportedly left with no avenue for appeal after being denied on grounds of alleged political affiliations, with some papers rejected for being “collaborators of fascists.”
Further reports indicate that approximately 200 lawyers, purportedly associated with a party currently banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act, have been unable to participate in at least 13 bar association elections since January 2026.
Beyond election interference, the CLA and LAWASIA received alarming reports of former judges of the Supreme Court and practising lawyers being named in multiple criminal cases involving serious offences.
Some of these cases are alleged to be completely fictitious, and those targeted have reportedly faced criminal intimidation and threats.
Harassment of legal professionals
The organisations recalled the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers 1990, which mandate that governments ensure lawyers can perform their professional functions without intimidation, harassment, or improper interference.
These principles state that lawyers shall not suffer prosecution or administrative sanctions for actions taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, and that they are entitled to freedom of expression and the right to form self-governing professional associations whose executive bodies are elected without external interference.
In response to these developments, CLA and LAWASIA called upon the Bangladesh government, the SCBA, the Bar Council of Bangladesh, and other authorities to ensure the immediate cessation of interference in all bar association elections and to guarantee that polls are conducted freely and fairly.
They urged the authorities to permit all qualified lawyers to stand for election without discrimination based on political affiliation or past association, and to ensure that any rejection of nomination papers includes written reasons and a clear avenue of appeal.
The statement, signed by LAWASIA President Yap Teong Liang and CLA President Steven Thiru, also demanded an immediate review of all criminal cases filed against former Supreme Court judges and lawyers that are alleged to be fictitious and politically motivated.
The organisations concluded by reaffirming their commitment to the independence of the legal profession as a cornerstone of the rule of law and human rights in Bangladesh, pledging to continue monitoring the situation closely.
