Charfassion, Bhola, 29 July 2013: COAST introduces a new project called Community Legal Service” in Charfassion, Bhola to provide legal services to the poor and vulnerable of its project area by strengthening the local arbitration system i.e. “Gram Adalat”. The COAST officials along with the government officials, elected people’s representatives and local media personnel said in a project orientation meeting held at the Officers’ Club of the Charfassion Upazila headquarters today at 4.00 pm.
Mr. Rezaul Karim, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer presides the meeting while Ms. Hazera Khatun, the member of the Board of Trustees of COAST, Mr. Shafiul Alam, the Upazila Education Officer, Mr. Shamalgir Alam, the Secondary Education officer, Mr. Aminul Islam Sarman, The Additional Public Prosecutor of Bhola District and the chairmen and members from different Upazila and Unions were present.
In his speech Mr. Reaul Karim says, should the people get justice in the Gram Adalat which is situated in their own village, they won’t need to come to the police stations and this is how the poor people could avoid spending extra money. He adds, it is expected that the project will contribute to build the capacities of the chairmen and members who settles the disputes in the local level. They would have been able to learn more about law by this project.
The Project Coordinator Mr. Jahirul Islam explains the goal, objectives and activities of the project to the audience. He says, in 2011 around 30 hundred thousand cases were undisputed in Bangladesh and people were deprived from their right to have justice. COAST will establish some billboards to popularize the Gram Adalat and contribute to activate the system.
