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Published : 16 May 2026, 12:49 AM
The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed "deep concern" over reported interference, harassment, and the obstruction of candidates in Bangladesh’s district and Supreme Court bar association elections.
In a formal letter addressed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the organisation -- which represents over 200,000 solicitors in England and Wales -- called for high-level intervention to safeguard the independence, security, and professional autonomy of the legal profession.
This follows a similar protest by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), which issued a letter to the prime minister on Apr 30 regarding the same "undemocratic practices".
The letter, signed by Law Society President Mark Evans and issued on May 13, 2026, highlights a pattern of incidents reported between February and April 2026.
According to the Law Society, numerous Awami League-aligned lawyers and independent candidates were obstructed from participating in elections.
The organisation noted that candidates were "prevented from submitting nomination papers, and, in some cases, even subjected to physical harassment in several district bar and Supreme Court Bar Association elections in Bangladesh".
The Society specifically raised concerns over the politicisation of the electoral process, stating: "In certain cases, it is reported that nomination papers were officially rejected on the grounds of being 'collaborators of fascists'. Additionally, it was reported that the police intervened, pressuring some candidates to withdraw or denying participation by labelling them as associates of the previous government."
The British legal body reminded the premier that such actions are inconsistent with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, specifically Principles 16, 17, 18, and 23.
Regarding Principle 18, which mandates that lawyers should not be identified with their clients or their clients' causes, the Society said: "The reported practice of labelling candidates as 'associates' or 'collaborators' appears to contravene this principle, as it politicises lawyers' identities and risks penalising them based on perceived affiliations rather than their professional conduct."
The Society warned that these incidents point to a "pattern of interference that may erode the independence of the legal profession and weaken the rule of law".
The Law Society urged authorities in Bangladesh to ensure that bar association elections are conducted in a way that guarantees equal participation for all lawyers without discrimination.
It also called for investigations into reports of electoral irregularities, obstruction, harassment, or violence in the concerned bar associations.
In addition, the society stressed the need to ensure lawyers can carry out their professional duties without fear of reprisal, hindrance, or intimidation.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
The Law Society’s Junior Press Officer, Andrea Switzer, confirmed the authenticity of the letter, saying: "I confirm that this letter is correct and has been formally issued on behalf of the Law Society."
This is the second major international legal body to challenge the current administration's handling of bar elections.
The CCBE had previously cited data from France-based JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) to highlight an "extreme undemocratic environment" in the February–April election cycle.
Tags: Bar association, SCBA, district bar, election, bar council, Law Society, CCBE, JMBF, UK, British, obstruction, harassment, interference, independence, legal profession, lawyers, courts, justice
