Bangladesh, South Africa exchange insights on justice, reconciliation, healing

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has said that their judicial reform roadmap initiated the transformation of the judiciary as a foundational pillar for other reform efforts.

“The profound dialogue and reflection on how inclusive dialogue and transitional justice mechanisms can strengthen national unity and democracy will help us in designing reform processes in Bangladesh,” he said.

Two high-level delegations from Bangladesh, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, completed a learning programme in South Africa (May 17–24 May), focused on justice, reconciliation and healing.

The exchange, co-facilitated by UNDP and the Commonwealth Secretariat, explored South Africa’s post-apartheid experience in truth-seeking, prosecutions and memorialisation.

"Our engagement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission members, civil society, and victims' families in South Africa reaffirmed that establishing the facts is the foundation for accountability, justice and national healing,” Adviser Asif Nazrul said.

The visit concluded with further engagements in Pretoria and Cape Town, according to UNDP.

This initiative is part of UNDP’s broader support to Bangladesh’s judiciary, promoting justice, accountability and inclusive governance.

The programme included meetings with victims’ groups, justice and human rights institutions, civil society, and former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) members.

It reflected Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening social cohesion and democratic reforms following a political transition.

At the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s Chief Justice Mandisa Maya praised Bangladesh’s recent efforts to uphold human rights and strengthen the rule of law.

At the Human Rights Commission, discussions focused on institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of serious crimes.

UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller said with its broad global expertise and network UNDP is uniquely placed to promote South-South exchanges and facilitate contextually relevant knowledge-sharing that helps countries like Bangladesh advance justice and governance reforms.

“Learning from lived experiences, reflections amongst peers and listening to victims’ unaddressed grievances was invaluable.”