Families of July martyrs, July warriors will get lifelong free legal aid

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Apart from July Martyr’s family, July fighters will also get support.

Free legal aid from lower court to appellate division.

Plaintiffs and defendants—both have access to relief.

Vulnerable groups including poor, women and children, workers were already under the benefits.

The government has decided to bring the families of the martyrs of the July uprising, the July fighters under the state legal aid. Besides, the victims of disappearance are also coming under this. For this, amendments are being made in the ‘Legal Aid Policy, 2014’. If it comes into effect, they will get free legal aid from the lower court to the Appellate Division.

Sources related to the Ministry of Law say that the government has taken this decision on the occasion of ‘Legal Aid Day’ on April 28. This initiative will widen the list of beneficiaries. It will provide legal assistance at state expense to all concerned in both criminal and civil cases in all levels of court.

According to the relevant sources, the family of July martyrs, July fighters and missing persons or their families and even those who are directly affected by the disappearance, regardless of whether they are the plaintiff or the defendant in the case, will come under this assistance. It is said that the revised policy may be issued in the form of a notification within a day or two.

Director General of Bangladesh Legal Aid Directorate. Manjurul Hossain told Prothom Alo that this initiative has been taken due to the need to give proper recognition and support to July martyrs, July warriors and victims of disappearances and murders. After amendment the newly inductees will get this assistance for life.

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The Legal Aid Policy was formulated in 2014 to ensure free legal aid at state expense. The policy specifies who is eligible for this assistance. Under it, mainly poor and disadvantaged people, abused women and children, disabled people, laborers and other vulnerable and marginalized groups used to get legal assistance.

Later in 2023, freedom fighters were also brought under this benefit by amending the policy. Apart from this, disabled, partially disabled and unemployed persons are also included in it.

The policy identifies certain categories of people as eligible for legal aid with direct priority. They include—children, victims of human trafficking, women and children who have suffered physical, mental or sexual abuse, homeless or displaced persons, members of ethnic minorities or communities, victims of or at risk of domestic violence, and persons on aged care benefits.

The legal aid policy mentions providing free legal services to distressed women with VGD cards, acid-burned women and children, those who have land or houses in ideal villages, destitute widows, abandoned and distressed women, disabled persons, and those who are incapacitated.

Apart from this, persons unable to establish their rights in court due to financial incapacity, persons detained without trial but unable to defend themselves and persons identified as indigent by court or prison authorities also receive this assistance.

According to the people concerned, through this policy, access to justice has been opened not only for the poor, but also for vulnerable, oppressed and marginalized communities. As a result it serves not only as legal aid, but also as an important social safety net of access to justice.