Lawyers nationwide to receive professional ethics training

Lawyers across the country will receive advanced training on professional ethics and standards under a phased programme aimed at strengthening integrity, independence and accountability in the legal profession.

The decision was taken at a meeting Sunday between Attorney General and Bangladesh Bar Council Chairman Barrister Mohammad Ruhul Quddus Kazal and representatives of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The programme will initially be held in the Chattogram and Khulna divisions by the end of 2026 before being gradually expanded to other divisions. Lawyers from district and lower-level bar associations will participate on a representative basis.

The training will focus on professional integrity, independence, human dignity, human rights and commitment to the rule of law, while promoting stronger ethical practices and accountability within the justice system.

UNODC Bangladesh head Shah Mohammad Nahiyan and UNDP Senior Adviser for Rule of Law, Justice and Security Romana Schweiger attended the meeting. They discussed areas of mutual interest and potential future cooperation with the attorney general.

The initiative follows a two-day training programme held in Dhaka on September 18-19 for deputy and assistant attorneys general, organised with UN and UNDP support to strengthen prosecutors’ professional ethics.

The meeting also decided to observe International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9 through a joint initiative involving UNDP, the Law Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office.