Asif Nazrul responds to criticism, highlights legal and institutional reforms

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has outlined a broad set of legal and institutional reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs since the 2024 July Uprising, responding to criticism over his role.

In a Facebook post, he said the initiatives were implemented collectively by the ministry but that he had been personally involved in every major step, often working long hours, including weekends, to ensure execution.

He urged critics to assess the ministry's performance before forming conclusions.

According to the post, the ministry implemented 22 legal reforms and 15 institutional reforms, introduced major digital initiatives, recommended withdrawal of 24,276 politically motivated harassment cases and supported genocide trials related to the uprising.

Administrative output also increased significantly during this period, he said.

Major legal reforms

Nazrul highlighted amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunal) Ordinance to align it with international standards, incorporating enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity, strengthening witness protection and allowing victim compensation.

The Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance created an independent Judicial Council to ensure merit-based appointments, while the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance enhanced judicial independence by transferring administrative and financial control over subordinate courts to the judiciary.

A Commercial Courts Ordinance introduced specialised courts with expedited trials, documentary-based proceedings, mediation and online case management.

The National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025 expanded investigative and compensation powers and established a national preventive mechanism against torture under OPCAT.

The Prevention of Enforced Disappearance Ordinance, 2025 formally defined the offence, set penalties up to death and required trial completion within 120 days. Amendments to criminal and civil laws introduced affidavit-based testimony, online summons and safeguards against harassment through false cases.

Reforms to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act set investigation and trial deadlines, strengthened accountability and ensured witness protection. The Representation of the People Order was amended to allow postal ballots for expatriates and strengthen oversight of election-related offences.

The Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025 repealed what he described as repressive provisions of the previous law and cancelled related cases.

Institutional reforms and digitalisation

The ministry adopted rules to strengthen judicial service independence, authorised the Supreme Court to create judicial posts and initiated centralised recruitment to fill 2,733 vacant positions.

A total of 1,605 new courts were created, and civil and criminal courts were separated.

Information and Service Centres were established in court premises nationwide to reduce harassment and provide case updates.

Digital measures included regular e-cause list updates in most courts, introduction of e-Family Courts in Dhaka and Chattogram, e-bail bonds in nine districts and full digitalisation of attestation services.

The National Legal Aid Directorate introduced emergency legal assistance, expatriate support and a hotline.

Case withdrawals and trials

Following district-level reviews, 24,276 politically motivated cases were recommended for withdrawal. Additionally, 410 speech-related cyber cases and nearly all cases filed against student protesters during the July–August events were withdrawn.

The ministry also facilitated genocide trials linked to the uprising, with four verdicts delivered and several cases nearing completion.

Administrative performance

Over the past 18 months, 2,281 files were disposed of at the ministerial level, compared to 1,235 during the same period under the previous government.

The ministry also issued 578 legal opinions, up from 210 previously.

The adviser said details of reforms undertaken at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare would be made public soon.