Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organized a day-long training workshop for judges aimed at enhancing their capacity to uphold the rule of law and justice in environmental matters. The event was held at TIB’s Dhaka office in Dhanmondi on Thursday, in consultation with the Bangladesh Supreme Court and with the support of the Ministry of Law.

The workshop, titled “Climate Change and Environmental Litigation, Adjudication, and Rule of Law”, brought together 25 participants from across the country, including District and Sessions Judges, Additional District and Sessions Judges, Joint District and Sessions Judges, Metropolitan Sessions Judges, Senior Judicial Magistrates, and senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Iftikharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, emphasized the importance of strengthening judges’ skills in applying environmental laws effectively and highlighted the workshop’s focus on global best practices and international standards. Dr. Sumaiya Khair, Advisor-Executive Management, also spoke during the inaugural session, which was moderated by Mohammad Tauhidul Islam, Director of TIB’s Outreach & Communication Department.

The workshop featured sessions by Dr. Shawkat Alam, Professor of International and Environmental Law at Macquarie University, Australia, and Dr. Muhammad Ikramul Haq, Professor at the University of Dhaka’s Law Department. Topics covered included:

- Rule of law and good governance in environmental matters

- International environmental principles

- Application of climate change laws in South Asia and globally

- Judicial remedies and enforcement mechanisms in Bangladesh

Through group exercises and discussions, participants explored practical applications such as river pollution prevention, industrial waste monitoring, forest conservation, and climate adaptation and rehabilitation for coastal communities. Judges and officials highlighted the judiciary’s critical role in ensuring environmental protection and promoting climate justice.

Certificates were awarded to participants at the end of the workshop. Judges and officials expressed their gratitude to TIB and shared reflections on the training. TIB stated that it intends to continue building the capacity of judicial officers to secure effective environmental justice in the future.