On April 28, 2022, Access Bangladesh celebrated “National Legal Aid Services Day” under ‘Access to Justice at Community Project’ by holding a rally and discussion meeting at Dhamrai Upazila as well as a Community Based Legal Aid Clinic at Kulla Union. In addition to the events at the Upazila and Union levels, the organization participated in a rally and discussion meeting hosted by the District Legal Aid Office, Dhaka.The theme of this year is “Take legal assistance free of cost, Sheikh Hasina’s government is giving this assurance (Bina Kharche Nin Ainee Sahayata, Sheikh Hasina’s sarkar dichchhe Ai Nishchayata)’.

At the Upazila level, the day has been celebrated through rally, discussion meetings and miking jointly with Dhamrai Upazila Legal Aid Committee on the Upazila Parishad premises. Farjana Akter, AC Land and Executive Magistrate of Dhamrai Upazila was the chief guest of the program. Khaleda Akter Zahan, Women’s Affairs Officer and Nobin Chowdhury, Agricultural Officer were also present during the inauguration and throughout the event. Albert Mollah, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Access Bangladesh along with Taslim Zahan Bithi, Project Coordinator also joined the program.

During the discussion, the honorable guests reflected their views on the significance of the day. Albert Mollah stated, “The marginalized are the most vulnerable for getting fair justice as they lack knowledge and proper information. This service is a light for them. Therefore, the promotion of legal aid services should be continued throughout the year”.

The honorable chief guest Farjana Akter acknowledged the importance of the day by remarking, “Actually not many people know about this day observance and national legal aid services. It’s a huge opportunity for govt. and non-govt. organizations. Meetings, banners, festoons, leaflets and programs should be organized for assimilating the information on national legal aid services”.

After the rally and discussion meeting, a Community Based Legal Aid Clinic was organized at Kulla Union from 11:30 AM. Advocate Debdas Sarker, DLAC Panel Lawyer was the resource person. Besides, A.K.M. Raquibul Hasan, Senior Assistant Judge and District Legal Aid Officer, Dhaka, joined the program virtually. He shared the significance of the day as well as the ways to get legal aid services.