Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md Asaduzzaman has said no single country can tackle today’s multidimensional global crises in isolation.
Speaking at the inaugural session of “International Justice Summit-Istanbul, 2026” held on Thursday in Istanbul, he stressed that nations must share responsibilities based on a sense of shared responsibility.
He stressed to take effective, co-ordinated international action to address global challenges, including human rights protection, migration, cybercrime, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).
The law minister said global legal systems are currently confronting various challenges.
He observed that while rapid technological advancement has connected the world and simplified service delivery on one hand, it has simultaneously created new forms of inequality, division, and cross-border crime risks on the other.
To address these challenges, he emphasised that enacting new legislation alone is insufficient, and that effective action grounded in justice, human dignity, and shared responsibility is required.
Highlighting the historical significance of Istanbul as a meeting place of culture, knowledge, and civilisation, Asaduzzaman described the city as a highly suitable venue for such global discussions and exchanges of views.
He also recalled the historical and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkey, citing Bangladesh’s long-standing solidarity with the Turkish people.
Referring to the July-August 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh, the law minister said over 1,400 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured during the period.
He added that the majority were students and working people who raised their voice against discrimination in jobs and public services, adding that these events have been documented in the fact-finding report of the UN Human Rights Office.
Asaduzzaman affirmed that the government of current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to re-establishing the rule of law in Bangladesh.
He added that during his government’s tenure, judicial proceedings for widespread and systematic enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity are being conducted in accordance with international human rights law and standards.
On the Rohingya crisis, the law minister highlighted that Bangladesh has provided shelter to nearly 1.2 million displaced Rohingyas.
He pointed out that this is not merely a humanitarian challenge for Bangladesh, but also places immense pressure on the country’s resources, environment, social stability, and regional security, asserting that Bangladesh cannot and should not be expected to bear this global burden alone.
Stating that the Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar, he stressed that its solution requires the collective responsibility of the international community to ensure the dignity, citizenship, and peaceful future of the Rohingyas.
Expressing gratitude for Turkey’s assistance, the law minister said Turkey has stood beside Bangladesh from the beginning of the crisis.
He recalled with gratitude Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan’s visit to Cox’s Bazar and Turkey’s continuous diplomatic engagement, urging that this solidarity must now be transformed into more sustainable and effective action.
Turning to digital technologies, the law minister warned that technical advancement has spawned new challenges, including cybercrime, harmful content, misinformation, disinformation, and algorithmic bias.
Since these issues possess no borders, he stated that cross-border technology companies or digital crimes cannot be controlled effectively by any single country’s domestic laws alone.
He shared that Bangladesh has initiated steps to establish a balanced legal framework to tackle cybercrime while protecting freedom of expression and rights.
For effective global solutions, he called on developed nations to engage in genuine partnership with developing countries through technology transfer, technical capacity building, forensic knowledge sharing, and legal and judicial training.
Highlighting the importance of international dispute resolution, the law minister said cross-border disputes concerning foreign investment, border demarcation, energy markets, intellectual property, and contractual violations are rising rapidly, making international arbitration systems vital.
He mentioned that Article 25 of the Constitution of Bangladesh recognises respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of international disputes as fundamental principles of state policy.
He added that Bangladesh has taken initiatives to strengthen its legal framework for commercial dispute resolution to provide stronger protection for international investors.
However, he stressed that international dispute resolution mechanisms must be affordable, transparent, and fair for all, adding that justice can never be something that remains accessible only to the powerful.
Emphasising the need to implement decisions and declarations adopted at various international forums, the law minister said the world is now tired of unfulfilled political rhetoric.
Grand declarations, he mentioned, cannot solve the problems of displaced people, halt digital monopolies, or heal the wounds of oppression.
Stating that now is the time to act, he called for establishing a global responsibility-sharing framework capable of tackling challenges that no country can solve alone.
The law minister expressed optimism that events such as the International Justice Summit create opportunities for policymakers, judges, jurists, and experts from various countries to exchange experiences, paving a realistic path toward a more equitable, effective, and responsive global justice system.
The “International Justice Summit-Istanbul, 2026” is taking place in Istanbul on 8 and 9 October, bringing together justice ministers, judges, jurists, and eminent personalities in related fields from 75 countries worldwide.
