AGO, UNDP launch second batch of legal internship programme
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly launched the second cohort of the AGO–UNDP Internship Programme at a Supreme Court auditorium ceremony in Dhaka, celebrating the programme's continued success after its inaugural launch in 2025.
Launched in 2025, the AGO–UNDP Internship Programme pioneers efforts to bridge the gap between academic legal education and the practical realities of public-sector legal practice. The programme places selected law graduates in structured six-month internships, where mentors guide them through legal research and direct engagement with constitutional and public-interest cases under the supervision of the Attorney General's Office.
Md Asaduzzaman, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, emphasised the personal and professional development of interns, noting that the initiative—originally conceived as a pilot bridging the gap between law in books and law in practice—was evolving into a cornerstone of the justice sector. He underscored the need to integrate practical learning with academic study to cultivate a strong, ethical legal profession.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Attorney General of Bangladesh, stated that with the backing of UNDP and development partners, the programme would be expanded in both scope and impact. This expansion will create further opportunities for young legal professionals to contribute to the justice system. He highlighted that the inaugural cohort had supported key constitutional cases and justice reform dialogues. Interns gained invaluable insight into the workings of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office. He further stressed the importance of integrity, constitutional values, and professional ethics in legal practice.
Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative, remarked at the convocation and orientation ceremony for outgoing and incoming interns. He said the initiative embodied a shared conviction: that youth participation is vital to justice reform and that legal excellence must be cultivated from an early stage. He noted that the enduring strength of the justice system would hinge on principled, capable, and independent young professionals.
He added that interns from the first cohort gained exposure to constitutional law, gender-based violence, humanitarian law, and digitalisation, including hands-on experience with case management software and digital legal resources. They also engaged in media work and undertook a study visit to Cox's Bazar to examine the humanitarian-development nexus from an international law perspective. Nicolas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh, stated that a robust, independent, and efficient justice system is fundamental to any democracy. He added that the programme constitutes an investment in young legal professionals who will reinforce the rule of law and public trust in Bangladesh's justice institutions. gal professionals who will reinforce the rule of law and public trust in Bangladesh's justice institutions.
A transparent, merit-based selection process anchors the programme, which the Attorney General's Office and UNDP formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure sustainability and institutional ownership. Graduates stay connected through an alumni network, fostering ongoing learning and professional collaboration. Sweden supports the initiative, exemplifying international cooperation to advance democratic governance, the rule of law, and justice sector reform in Bangladesh.
Other speakers included Barrister A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon, MP and President of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association; Additional Attorney General Mohammad Arshadur Rouf; Barrister Tasnuva Shelley; and Romana Schweiger, Senior Adviser at UNDP.
