Development Agenda Must Tackle Injustice, Parliamentary Caucus on Justice Insists 

At the parliamentarians’ meeting on Monday, 19th February 2024, at the Hotel Intercontinental, the Parliamentary Caucus on Justice highlighted the transition towards a Smart Bangladesh, with a strong emphasis on infusing justice and equality into every aspect of this evolution. This approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal’s ethos of leaving no one behind and Bangladesh’s ambitious Vision 2041. Amidst the fresh start post-national elections, the Caucus, inclusive of both seasoned and newly elected members of the 12th parliament, pledged to tackle societal disparities head-on, advocating for a justice-centric overhaul in all domains.

The Caucus underscored the necessity of grounding Bangladesh’s journey towards a Smart Bangladesh in the egalitarian ideals championed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. His dream of a society where justice prevails, ensuring equal chances and protections for every individual, is deemed indispensable for guiding the nation’s leap into the digital era. Achieving a Smart Bangladesh – characterized by Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Society, and Smart Economy – mandates crafting policies that guarantee marginalized communities are not only included but thrive. This includes ensuring widespread access to technology, boosting digital literacy universally, leveraging e-governance to render public services more transparent and accountable, and revising legal norms to safeguard digital freedoms. Moreover, the Caucus advocates for proactive community involvement and ensuring that all initiatives resonate with the sustainable development goals, ensuring a holistic approach to development that champions justice and equality.

Key Highlights from the Caucus Members:

Tanvir Shakil Joy, MP, Chairperson of the Justice Caucus, underscored the need for an education system that is aligned with labor market demands and international standards. “Our aim is to facilitate national technological advancement while showcasing our competencies globally,” Joy stated, emphasizing the dual benefits of such an educational overhaul.

Sanwar Hossain, MP of Mymensingh-5 linked economic disparities to skill gaps, advocating for updated vocational training to bridge this divide, thereby promoting labor and migration justice.

SM Shahjada, MP from Patuakhali-3, brought attention to climate justice, highlighting the uneven burdens of climate change on different communities and countries.

Abdul Wadud Dara, MP of Rajshahi-5 voiced concerns about social justice, specifically warning against the rise of fundamentalism that threatens societal and cultural equality.

Nur Mohammad, MP from Jamalpur-1, emphasized education justice as pivotal to realizing Bangladesh’s Vision 2041, calling for reforms that ensure equitable access to quality education.

Aroma Dutta, MP, representing reserved seats, stressed the importance of disability rights, echoing the Bangladesh Awami League’s Election Manifesto and advocating for increased representation and access for individuals with disabilities.

Mahzabeen Khaled, former MP and Secretary of the Caucus, highlighted the necessity of addressing injustices faced by both local and migrant workers, advocating for multilingual education as a step toward educational justice.

The event was also attended by Syeed Ahamed and Shaheen Parveen, the CEO and Additional Director of Institute of Informatics and Development (IID). IID is the Secretariate of the Justice Caucus.

About the Parliamentary Caucus on Justice:

Established in 2021, with foundational meetings in Cox’s Bazar facilitated by the IID, the Parliamentary Caucus on Justice has been a driving force in bringing together parliamentarians to focus on critical issues of social justice, including migration and climate justice. The Caucus aims to foster meaningful collaborations with non-governmental entities and development partners to ensure the principles of justice, equality, and human rights are integral to Bangladesh’s development trajectory.

As Bangladesh strides towards becoming a Smart Nation, the Caucus’s role in championing justice becomes ever more crucial, ensuring that technological advancements and societal progress go hand in hand, benefiting all segments of the population.

The Parliamentary Caucus on Justice remains dedicated to fostering dialogue, formulating policies, and implementing strategies that uphold the tenets of justice across all spheres of Bangladeshi society, making the dream of a just, equitable, and smart Bangladesh a tangible reality.