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Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has called for greater international cooperation to address challenges involving human rights, migration, cybercrime and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. He said countries must share responsibility and pursue coordinated international action to tackle crises that cannot be effectively addressed by individual states.
The minister made the remarks while speaking at the opening session of the International Justice Summit-Istanbul 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Tuesday. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs disclosed his remarks in a press release on Thursday.
Asaduzzaman said the global legal system is currently facing a range of complex challenges. While rapid technological development has connected the world and made services more accessible, it has also created new forms of inequality, division and cross-border crime. Simply introducing new laws will not be enough to address these problems, he said, stressing the need for action based on justice, human dignity and shared responsibility.
Referring to the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising, the minister said more than 1,400 people were killed and around 30,000 injured during the protests against discrimination. Most of them, he said, were students and working people who had raised their voices against discrimination in employment and public services. He also referred to the UN human rights office’s fact-finding report on the events.
Asaduzzaman said the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to restoring the rule of law in Bangladesh. He said proceedings over enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity are being conducted in line with international human rights law and standards.
Addressing the Rohingya crisis, the minister said Bangladesh has provided shelter to nearly 1.2 million displaced Rohingya. The prolonged crisis has placed significant pressure on the country’s resources and environment while also creating challenges for social stability and regional security.
Bangladesh cannot shoulder the burden alone, he said, noting that the crisis originated in Myanmar. The international community therefore has a shared responsibility to help resolve the crisis and ensure the Rohingya people’s dignity, citizenship rights and a peaceful future. He also expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s continued support since the beginning of the crisis, including a visit by the Turkish First Lady.
The minister also highlighted emerging risks linked to technological development, including cybercrime, harmful content, misinformation, disinformation and algorithmic bias. As these problems transcend national borders, he said, the laws of a single country cannot effectively regulate cross-border technology companies or digital crimes.
Bangladesh, he said, is working to establish a balanced legal framework that addresses cybercrime while protecting freedom of expression and fundamental rights. However, he stressed that global challenges require coordinated international action. He called on developed countries to work with developing nations through genuine partnerships by supporting technology transfer, capacity building, forensic expertise and training in law and justice.
Highlighting the importance of international dispute resolution, Asaduzzaman said cross-border disputes are increasing in areas such as foreign investment, boundary demarcation, energy markets, intellectual property and breaches of contractual obligations. International arbitration, he said, can play an important role in resolving such disputes.
He noted that Article 25 of Bangladesh’s Constitution recognises respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of international disputes as fundamental principles of state policy. He also said Bangladesh was working to strengthen its legal framework for commercial dispute resolution to provide stronger protection for international investors.
The minister stressed, however, that international dispute-resolution mechanisms must remain affordable, transparent and fair. Justice, he said, should never become a system accessible only to those with power and resources.
Calling for practical action rather than grand announcements, Asaduzzaman said the world was tired of incomplete political statements. He called for a global system of shared responsibility through which challenges beyond the capacity of any single country could be addressed collectively.
The two-day International Justice Summit-Istanbul 2026 is being held on October 8 and 9. Justice ministers, judges, legal professionals and experts from 75 countries are taking part in the summit.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/national/1f1c342e-d19b-69a0-91b0-a19af9b98a27