B Mirror Report: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government has taken specific plans to ensure “access to justice” for financially insolvent and underprivileged people across the country.

He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural programme of “National Legal Aid Day-2026” held at Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in the capital on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said access to justice is a constitutional right, noting that all citizens are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under the Constitution, which also aligns with international human rights principles.

He said the present government believes that no citizen should be deprived of legal protection or justice due to financial hardship, adding that ensuring justice for all remains a core commitment of the state.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry organized the event, which was attended by Law Minister Md Asaduzzman, European Union Ambassador Michael Miller, and Director General of Bangladesh Legal Aid Md Monjurul Hossain, among others.

Prime Minister’s daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman was also present at the function.

Speaking about his personal experience, the Prime Minister said he himself had spent a long time in prison due to political vengeance, adding that many inmates were deprived of justice for years because of financial constraints.

He stressed that justice is the foundation of peace, equality and progress in any society, saying that a discrimination-free system and equal dignity for all citizens are essential for building a just state.

“Justice is not only a matter of courts or laws; it is the core strength of a humane and responsible state system,” he said, adding that a country cannot become truly humane without rule of law, justice and human rights.

He said the government has already introduced legal aid programmes so that no one is denied justice due to inability to afford legal services.

The Prime Minister also said the government is working to ensure that victims are not deprived of justice due to lack of legal representation, adding that justice should be reflected in people’s real lives, not only in legal texts.

He emphasized that justice must be reflected in all state policies and institutional activities, and warned that delayed justice effectively becomes denied justice.

Highlighting reforms, he said mediation through legal aid has been introduced to resolve disputes before formal court proceedings, helping settle thousands of cases quickly and at low cost.

Calling for public trust in state institutions, he said legal aid services will act as a reflection of that trust and help build a just and humane society.

At the event, Sayem Khan of Dhaka and Neelima Biswas of Rajshahi received awards as best panel lawyers. BRAC’s “Social Empowerment and Legal Protection Program Cell” was also recognized for its contribution to legal aid activities nationwide, with Executive Director Asif Saleh receiving a crest and certificate of honor.