Mr. Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative (Democratic Governance) of UNDP Bangladesh, recently paid a field visit to Cox’s Bazar district to review the progress of the Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh (Phase III) project.
The project is implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) of Bangladesh Government, with financial and technical support from the Government of Bangladesh, European Union and UNDP Bangladesh. Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) is serving as the Implementation Support Partner of UNDP for the project.
During the visit, he observed project activities at Jalalabad Union Parishad in Eidgaon Upazila and Rashidnagar Union Parishad in Ramu Upazila. He was accompanied by Ms. Farhana Idris, Project Coordinator of YPSA AVCB III Project, and Mr. Syed Mohon Uddin, District Manager (Cox’s Bazar) of the project.
Mr. Haq interacted with Union Parishad functionaries, including Chairmen, Union Parishad Administrative Officers (UPAO), elected members, and village police, to gain insights into the functioning of Village Courts at the grassroots level. He also met with a Village Court service recipient at Rashidnagar Union Parishad and listened to his experience in accessing Village Court services.
Mr. Haq expressed his appreciation for the overall documentation and case management practices observed at both Union Parishads. He noted that the project has reached a critical phase where further strengthening of Village Court services is essential. In this regard, he emphasized the need for intensified awareness-raising initiatives, improved coordination with legal aid providers, and closer collaboration among relevant stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Village Court service delivery.
In his observations, Mr. Haq highlighted key challenges faced by local government institutions and stakeholders in operationalizing Village Courts effectively. He emphasized the need for strengthened community awareness, particularly in rural and remote areas, to ensure that citizens are informed about Village Court jurisdiction, procedures, and available services, thereby enhancing access to justice at the local level.
The field visit reaffirmed UNDP’s continued commitment, in partnership with YPSA and local government institutions, to improving access to justice for rural and marginalized communities through strengthened and functional Village Courts across Bangladesh.
