Published: 12:15 AM, 03 May 2026
'Widespread irregularities' in BD bar polls: European bar association
The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has alleged serious irregularities in several district bar elections in Bangladesh. They have written directly to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressing their concern over these irregularities and urging him to take action.
The CCBE, Europe's leading bar association, sent the letter on Thursday, bdnews24 reports.
Signed by CCBE President Roman Završek, the letter was sent to the prime minister, expressing deep concern over the alleged violation of the fair rights of lawyers in Bangladesh.
The letter, titled "Irregularities in Several District Bar elections in Bangladesh", was published by the CCBE on its Facebook
page.
The organisation claims to represent more than 1 million lawyers from 46 countries.
However, when asked about the authenticity of the letter, Supreme Court Bar Association Senior Vice President Humayun Kabir Manju commented that "he had no knowledge of it".
However, another Supreme Court lawyer, Motahar Hossain Saju, confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said, "The concerns of European lawyers about irregularities and rigging in the bar elections are a shame for us."
He drew the attention of the prime minister and the law minister to put a stop such undemocratic activities in the legal field.
Citing information from the Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), the CCBE said in their letter that from February to April this year, Awami League-backed lawyers and independent candidates were prevented from participating in the elections of several district bars and Supreme Court Bar associations in Bangladesh. In addition, obstacles were created in the submission of nomination papers.
The organisation also mentioned in its letter that some candidates were physically harassed and their nomination papers were officially cancelled by labeling them as "associates of fascists".
They claim that the police intervened and pressured the candidates to withdraw their candidacies and many were denied participation by labeling them as collaborators of the previous government.
The letter, signed by the CCBE president, made three demands to the Bangladesh government. The demands are to ensure equal and non-discriminatory participation of all lawyers in the elections, to investigate electoral irregularities, obstruction and violence, and ensure that all lawyers can perform their professional duties without intimidation and harassment.
In its letter, the CCBE mentioned Articles 16, 17, 18 and 23 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which ensure the safety, independence and right to expression of lawyers.
The organization also called on Bangladesh to sign and ratify the new Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession.
In this regard, Upma Biswas, a candidate for the Supreme Court Bar Association election whose nomination papers were rejected, said: "When an international organization like CCBE directly raises such issues to the prime minister, the importance of the issue is clear. The right of lawyers to work independently and the opportunity for everyone to participate equally in the bar elections-these are the fundamental foundations of the rule of law."
She said, "'If my nomination is accepted, I would be the first candidate from the Christian community to participate in the Supreme Court Bar Association elections. Another thing-people come to us hoping for justice. But if we cannot ensure justice for ourselves, how will we maintain that place of trust? So I think the issues need to be addressed quickly and seriously, so that the trust in our institutions and the image of the country remain intact."
