Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said mediation is an effective dispute resolution method that can ensure speedy and low-cost justice by reducing the time, expenditure, and mental suffering of litigants.
He noted that through effective mediation, it is possible to significantly reduce the backlog of approximately 4.5 million cases currently pending in the country’s courts.
The ministry informed this in a press release issued on Saturday.
The minister made these remarks as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a two-day “Basic Mediation Training for Legal Professionals” programme held on Saturday at the Hotel InterContinental in the capital.
The event was organised under the project titled “Improvement of Access to Justice through Mediation and Civil Litigation Management.”
Asaduzzaman emphasized that a primary priority of the Bangladesh government is ensuring justice for poor, marginalised, and underprivileged individuals, as well as victims of human rights violations.
He added that the government, through the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid is working tirelessly to deliver justice to the doorsteps of such people.
Regarding the responsibilities of mediators, he claims that legal knowledge alone is insufficient; humanity, wisdom, patience, and the ability to create trust-based solutions are also vital.
In this context, he urged participants to read the well-known Japanese book “Justice with a Smile”, noting that such literature helps mediators develop a humanitarian perspective for establishing justice.
Addressing the common perception that lawyers are reluctant to reach settlements, the minister clarified that reality shows lawyers have played significant roles in numerous successful mediations and arbitrations both at home and abroad.
He highlighted that a positive culture of discussion-based dispute resolution is currently emerging in the legal profession and needs further expansion.
Asaduzzaman described mediation as a win-win method for both parties. Conversely, he noted that lengthy judicial processes consume years of time, money, and labour, often leading to mental anxiety and physical health issues for the parties involved.
He called for the development of a culture where most disputes, excluding murder or other serious cognisable offences, are resolved through discussion.
Under the current project, one female and one male mediator demonstrating the best performance will be provided with opportunities for advanced training in Japan.
The minister expressed hope that this initiative would encourage mediators to perform their duties with greater efficiency, neutrality, transparency, and professionalism.
He extended his gratitude to the Japanese government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and relevant stakeholders, including Keio University Law School Professor Masako Miyatake.
He expressed optimism that cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan would be further strengthened and mentioned the necessity of increasing the frequency of direct flights on the Dhaka-Narita route.
The project is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and JICA. The ceremony was presided over by Project Director (Additional Secretary) Md Khademul Quayes, while JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Junko Takahashi, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department (ICD) of the Ministry of Justice of Japan Kazunori Nose, and Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid Md Monjurul Hossain also delivered speeches.
A total of 40 trainees, including District Legal Aid Officers and lawyers from various District Judge Courts, participated in the two-day programme. The training provided hands-on instruction on basic mediation concepts, effective communication strategies, negotiation skills, practical exercises, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The key resource person was Prof Masako Miyatake, a renowned lawyer from Keio University Law School in Japan, who shared Japanese experiences, international best practices, and practical techniques.
The project aims to institutionalise mediation in Bangladesh, enhance ADR capacity, and ensure easy, fast, and affordable access to justice for litigants.
