In a landmark development, political parties participating in the National Consensus Commission discussions on Thursday (July 3) agreed on two major judicial reforms: limiting the President’s powers of general amnesty and decentralising the High Court by establishing permanent benches in all divisional cities.
Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy after the discussions. He said all parties agreed that while the Supreme Court would remain in Dhaka as per constitutional structure, the High Court’s jurisdiction should be decentralised to bring justice to the people’s doorsteps.
Taher highlighted that with a population exceeding 200 million, it is unjust to require citizens from remote regions to travel to Dhaka for justice. However, challenges remain, such as increasing the number of judges and motivating lawyers to practice outside Dhaka. Jamaat proposed a fivefold increase in judicial appointments, noting that there are already many competent lawyers in regional cities who could serve if the system was adequately expanded and resourced.
He cited the example of healthcare reforms, where earlier doctors were reluctant to work in villages but eventually accepted rural postings when incentives and structures improved. Similarly, if adequate facilities, training, and budget allocations are ensured, judges and lawyers will serve in regional benches, making justice more accessible.
The commission also reached consensus on restricting the President’s constitutional power of general amnesty. Taher stated that while the President will retain the right to pardon, it should be exercised with strict criteria and consideration of victims’ families. Political parties agreed that no murderer, rapist, or serious offender should be pardoned without the consent of the victim’s family, introducing a new dimension of fairness to the clemency process.
Under the proposed reform, pardons for state-related or general crimes may proceed based on recommendations from a specially formed committee, but in personal crimes such as murder, the victim’s family must be consulted before clemency is granted.
“This will ensure that justice is not undermined by arbitrary pardons and that the rights of victims’ families are respected,” Taher said.
He further added that these agreements mark significant achievements for the National Consensus Commission, with constitutional amendments, particularly to Article 100, required to implement the High Court decentralisation reform.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad were also present during the briefing, reiterating the party’s commitment to establishing an inclusive justice system rooted in fairness and accessibility for all Bangladeshis.
