Alternative Dispute Resolution vital for achieving SDG 16

Ensuring access to justice is a crucial component to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 while Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms are also vital and inseparable justice options to this end, suggest speakers.

They came up with the suggestion at a webinar titled “How ADR Can Achieve SDG-16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”, which was jointly organised by the Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC) and the Accord Chambers in the capital on Tuesday. The daily Bonik Barta was the media partner of the event.

“Justice-seekers face tussle with some economic, social and institutional barriers in accessing the formal judicial system in our country. Widening access to justice depends upon extending the facilities to the plaintiffs and empowering them to overcome those barriers,” viewed BIAC Board chairman Mahbubur Rahman.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) can help achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 with a view to promoting “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” worldwide through integrating its methods such as arbitration, mediation, negotiation, conciliation, etc. along with the existing judicial system, added Mahbubur, also the president of International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh.

Mamun Chowdhury, senior partner of Accord Chambers and also an advocate of the Supreme Court, said, “Securing rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice for all citizens is enshrined in the very preamble of our constitution. It is now also echoed in the UN’s SDG 16.”

ADR can play a key role in achieving it by creating new avenues towards access to justice in a less time-consuming manner, opined Mamun.

Gowree Gokhale, partner at Nishith Desai Associates in Mumbai, India, shared insights about how India is promoting ADR as part of its drive to secure rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice.

A panel of speakers from home and abroad representing academicians, business leaders, the legal fraternity and Non-Government Organisations participated at the webinar discussion.

ADR was such an alternative that encompasses various dispute resolution techniques and mechanisms that are alternative to full-scale court processes, they also opined.

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