Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Saturday reiterated his strong commitment to judicial reform and its independence, urging swift action to implement the reform road map outlined under his leadership.
Speaking at a seminar titled the Judicial Reform Roadshow in Khulna as part of a nationwide series, the Chief Justice said that the judiciary was undergoing a crucial transformation to strengthen its structure, ensure independence, and improve access to justice.
Praising the Khulna district judiciary for their warm hospitality during the recent visit by Brazilian Chief Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin, the Chief Justice said,聽
鈥楾he judges of Khulna have reflected the spirit of our judiciary 鈥� warm, dignified, and committed to justice and global solidarity,鈥� he said.
Since assuming office, Chief Justice Refaat Ahmed has prioritised reform. On September 21, 2024, he unveiled a Judicial Reform Road Map focusing on ensuring constitutional safeguards for judicial appointments and removals, strengthening institutional autonomy, and improving court efficiency.
Protecting judicial independence through constitutional rules for appointing and removing judges, government support for a separate
Supreme Court Secretariat to ensure autonomy, progress in reducing case backlogs, forming commercial courts, and creating new judicial posts are among the key achievements.
The Chief Justice acknowledged the critical role of international development partners,
particularly the United Nations Development Programme, in supporting the reform agenda since its formal launch in Dhaka on December 7, 2024.
He thanked UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, EU Ambassador Michael Miller, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook, Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks, and legal adviser Romana Schweiger for their contributions to the reform journey across various districts.
The Chief Justice said that the roadshows allowed judges from across the country to actively engage in shaping reforms. 鈥楨ach seminar is not just a platform for dialogue, but a step towards real, on-the-ground change,鈥� he said.
