Promoting Access to Justice in Bangladesh: Towards a Hybrid Justice Model (original) (raw)

This study explores the pressing issue of access to justice in Bangladesh, focusing on the challenges individuals encounter within the formal criminal justice system. Factors such as socioeconomic disparities, corruption, discrimination, and judicial backlogs are identified as major barriers to ensuring equal access to justice in the country. The study advocates for a nuanced understanding of justice dynamics, emphasizing the tensions and complementarities between formal and informal justice systems. This research employs a comprehensive analysis of secondary data, public perceptions, and qualitative insights to shed light on the feasibility and potential benefits of integrating informal justice approaches, such as shalish and village courts, to address the identified barriers. The findings reveal a substantial preference for local community-based conflict resolution methods, particularly for less severe offenses. To address a diverse range of crimes and disputes, the study proposes a hybrid justice model that integrates both formal and informal mechanisms, highlighting a context-specific and community-centric alternative. By involving communities, offering flexibility, and implementing localized solutions, informal justice could effectively alleviate case backlogs, ensure timely resolutions, and foster social cohesion. The study contributes valuable insights to the discourse on criminal justice reform, emphasizing inclusivity, efficiency, and fairness in reshaping the future of justice delivery in Bangladesh.