THE 16th goal of the Sustainable Development Goals is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Although this goal of the SDGs comes rather late on the list, it encompasses many issues and covers a country鈥檚 main institutions. In fact, ensuring justice for people has become a real challenge for the current world. Moreover, building accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels is not an easy affair.
For any work to be sustainable and useful for the people, there must first be peace, stability, human rights, and effective governance. Unfortunately, however, we live in a world that is not only divided but also conflict-ridden. While some regions enjoy a fair amount of peace, security, and prosperity, many others are mired in an endless cycle of conflict and violence. Conflict and violence can be avoided, but the first step is to sincerely try to resolve them.
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a devastating impact on a country鈥檚 development, affect economic growth, and often cause chronic problems that can last from generation to generation. Some countries have experienced such violence in the past, and some have been affected more recently. New internal displacement increased in early 2022, particularly in Myanmar and Burkina Faso, as conditions in both countries continued to deteriorate.
As a result of these situations, as well as the escalation of other conflicts, the UNHCR announced on May 23, 2022, that the number of people forced to flee persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and serious disruptions to public order had reached a record 100 million for the first time. This means that 1 in every 78 people in the world has been forced to flee. It is a statistic few would have anticipated a decade ago.
According to the report of Ain O Salish Kendra, 476 women were raped in the first six months of 2024 in Bangladesh. Women and girls were victims of many other forms of violence as well. According to the report, a total of 228 people were victims of domestic violence during the same period; 140 of them were killed and 42 committed suicide. Dowry was a major reason for this violence, and the number of dowry-related deaths and suicides is also very alarming. However, justice for all these victims can be said to be a far cry from reality.
In this context, it is important to talk about organisations and institutions of accountability. An institution is not built overnight. It takes time for an organisation to become an institution. When an organisation can gain public trust and become sustainable in all aspects, it can be called an institution. Effective and accountable institutions are essential to rid society of all forms of exploitation and abuse. Law enforcement agencies and legal institutions can play a leading role in this regard. However, such institutions in our country have not yet been able to adequately address the problems of exploitation and violations.
The Anti-Corruption Commission is the apex body for checking corruption in Bangladesh. According to Transparency International Bangladesh, the commission鈥檚 strengths include legal independence and dignity with adequate legal powers and mandate; budget stability that has increased gradually over the years; anti-corruption initiatives include collaboration with other stakeholders such as civil society and development partners; and participation in international networks.听On the other hand, the Anti-Corruption Commission鈥檚 weaknesses include insufficient budget to hire experienced lawyers, inadequate/limited expertise and professionalism in investigation and prevention, the absence of an independent oversight mechanism, and low levels of public trust and negative perceptions of the Anti-Corruption Commission鈥檚 effectiveness.
Other major institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and the Information Commission are yet to make their presence felt. Although these institutions were created and formed to enhance and ensure the rights of citizens and protect them from exploitation and violence, they have yet to demonstrate efficiency due to a lack of sharp teeth. So, we still have a long way to go to build institutions that are effective, accountable, and inclusive and are in a position to take into account the needs of the beneficiaries.
At the global level, the SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence and work with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights are key to this process, along with strengthening the participation of developing countries in institutions of global governance. The Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development has defined the SDGs in the following manner: 鈥楾he goals are: to significantly reduce violence and related deaths everywhere; end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence and abuse against children; promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all; by 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows; strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets; and combat all forms of organised crime; significantly reduce all forms of corruption and bribery.鈥�
However, the bitter truth is that some countries are committing heinous crimes against humanity. So, bringing such countries under the net has become a real challenge for global bodies. For example, the United Nations has been very vocal against human rights abuses in our neighbouring country, Myanmar. It is readily recognised by the international community that the Myanmar government has resorted to genocide to cleanse a community from its soil. However, Myanmar has yet to show the slightest respect for global concerns.
To make the goals more attainable, the government of Bangladesh needs to find ways to ensure peace and justice in society by strengthening the institutions concerned. National institutions and other oversight bodies have also failed to play their role. Their efforts are still failing to create a real challenge to the threat of violence, crime, exploitation, and abuse.
In fact, even after 53 years of independence, the law and justice system of Bangladesh has not reached a sustainable state. The fragile system of government is no less responsible for this. After the departure of General Ershad in 1990, a neutral caretaker government system was introduced to make the election system free, fair, and neutral in Bangladesh. Through this system, four elections were held with reasonable acceptance.
However, since 2014, elections under the party governments upset the entire electoral system, and almost all institutions of the government lost their credibility due to the ultimate absence of accountability. As a result, various government institutions became bankrupt rather than sustainable. It is thus a great challenge to make government institutions truly effective. A government can fulfil its responsibility to ensure peace, justice, and inclusion in society if it tries and if it commands the cooperation of the people.
An interim government is now in charge of running the country. The 16th goal of the Sustainable Development Goals can act as one of the catalysts in this government鈥檚 action plan. It is undeniable that there is no substitute for the establishment of justice for peace at all levels, and strong institutions are essential for the establishment of justice.
听
Dr Kazi SM Khasrul Alam Quddusi is a professor of public administration, University of Chittagong.
