The Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC) used to form the core of criminal law in India.

The appointment of judges is a cornerstone of judicial independence and the rule of law. Article 95(2)(c) notes that judges of the supreme court shall have “such qualifications as may be prescribed by law for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court”.

Article 77 of the Constitution of Bangladesh provides for the establishment of the office of Ombudsman.

My understanding of the term ‘Human Rights’ is that they are inalienable birthrights of a human wherever he/she is born in the world and that the state is obligated to ensure, protect, and respect such rights.

Freedom of Panorama (FoP) refers to the legal provision allowing individuals to capture and share images of publicly visible works, such as buildings, sculptures, monuments, and so on, without infringing copyright.

A long-awaited intellectual property treaty relating to ‘Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge’ was adopted on 24 May 2024at a diplomatic conference by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation).

The ban on the US birthright citizenship (jus soli-right of the soil) by the 47th President of the United States Donald Trump is perhaps one of the most discussed topics at this moment across the globe.

With the ever-increasing use of various online means of communication, the prevalence of crimes committed in cyberspace has also been on the rise.

Law is a tool created by the people, for the people, in order to promote fairness and order in society.

Historically, mediation has been a well-established system for dispute resolution in our subcontinent.

Bangladesh Institute of Crime and Justice Studies (BICJS) organised a book launching ceremony by unwrapping the book titled ‘Criminology and Criminal Justice in Bangladesh: An Introduction’ on 13 January 2025.

One year back, on 19 February 2024, the death of Raahib Reza due to a sudden cardiac arrest, at the capital’s Labaid Hospital, Dhanmondi, shocked the country.

Recently, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (Ministry) has drafted the ‘Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2024’.

On Thursday 9 January Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) organised the first instalment of ‘Transition Justice Talks’ at the Supreme Court Bar Association Auditorium, Dhaka.

The year 2024 presented new hopes for Bangladesh. New laws and ordinances were enacted, some old laws were revised as the spirit of reforming the state touched the legal landscape.

Any justice system must have fair trials as a cornerstone, ensuring that each individual receives the same impartial treatment while in conflict with the law. Articles 27 and 31 of the Constitution of Bangladesh upholds the concept of fair trial. Nevertheless, there are several obstacles that hamper the execution of justice when these concepts are put into practice.

Last year witnessed an array of major judicial decisions shaping the jurisprudence and legal discourse in Bangladesh. Indeed, throughout the year, the High Court Division (HCD) and the Appellate Division (AD) of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh (SCB) handed down several significant judgments, of immense constitutional importance, among others.

Bangladesh has long been prone to the adverse impacts of climate change coupled with environmental degradation and pollution due to the ineffectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms available for environment conservation.

It is important to recognise the hidden costs that armed conflicts inflict upon the environment and the communities living in the affected areas.

The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh enshrines the principles of freedom, justice, and equality, affirming that all individuals are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under it.