'Political influence a threat to efficacy of arbitration'

The impartiality of Union Parishad chairmen and members who conduct the mediation is in question as they are elected on political patronage, they said.

Nagorik Uddoyog organised the daylong workshop on 'Community Mediation: Strategies and issues in settling disputes and responding to domestic violence' at the WVA auditorium in the city, with its Chairman Dr Khan Sarwar Murshid as the chief guest.

Dr Dina M Siddiqi, research associate of Alice Paul Centre for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality, Pennsylvania University, presented the keynote paper at the workshop.

"There exists a broad consensus in Bangladesh that a modified Shalish (arbitration) has tremendous potential for making justice more accessible to marginalised individuals and groups. The huge backlogs, excessive delays, outrageous expenses and uncertain outcomes of the formal legal system make community mediation a much preferred alternative for many people," Dina said.

Mirza M Hasan of Brac University suggested establishing family court along with the Shalish conducted by non-government organisations.

Advocate Maksuda Akhter said Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has been demanding establishment of family court to conduct Shalish and that this is an urgent need.

The speakers also stressed the need for a uniform system of Shalish procedures conducted by the human rights organisations.

Besides, achieving empowerment of women and promoting women leadership at local level is crucial to ensuring justice to the poor, they said.

Dr Faustina Perira of Ain O Shalish Kendra, Advocate Farida Yeasmin of BLAST, Advocate Ruma Sultana of Manusher Jonno, Advocate Rehana Sultana of BNWLA, and Zakir Hossain, chief executive of Nagorik Uddoyog, also spoke at the workshop.