Law for All

Sabiha Jamal Nitu : Laws have been there since ancient times. From the very beginning of civilization, people made rules and conditions to live peacefully. Even people who lived in the forests and small communities used to follow strict rules to protect each other and to survive any disaster. So, law is not something new. It has always been a part of human life.

Time has changed, and now we are living in a modern world with advanced technology and smart systems. But still, there is one big problem: most people do not even know the laws that are made to protect their rights.

In Bangladesh, we have enough laws made for general and specific groups of people. Our legal system is very large. There are more than 1,100 laws currently in force in Bangladesh, according to the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. These laws talk about land rights, online safety, protection of women and children, workers’ rights, and many other important issues.

But the real question is: if we have so many laws, why are people still suffering?

Who should we blame, and who should take responsibility? Is the system too complicated for common people to understand? Is it because we do not learn about our legal rights in school? Or is it because the laws never properly reach the people they are made for? If people do not even know that a law exists for their own protection, how will they use it?

As Waris Dirie has emphasized in her advocacy work, laws can only be effective when people are aware of them.

What is the Core Problem?

In my opinion, the core problem begins with a deep misunderstanding. Many citizens believe that law is a specialized subject made only for judges, lawyers, and law students. They assume the legal system to be something out of reach. Similarly, when legal problems arise, ordinary people feel helpless because they cannot reach the experts who know the rules. This assumption creates a barrier where rights are violated silently before anyone even knows that a law has been broken.

In addition, there is another problem, and that is an important one regarding education. Education comprises many subjects, but what is missing is law and regulation. The reality is that, as per statistics provided by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, more than 70% of Bangladeshi adults are literate. However, despite such a high level of education, many educated individuals still fail to be aware of their legal rights. If a graduate from a university is ignorant of the Fundamental Rights provided in Part III of the Constitution of Bangladesh (Articles 26 to 44), how can we expect the uneducated labourer to be aware of their own rights?

Education makes one literate but does not make one aware of their legal rights. Such ignorance has adverse effects on lower strata of society. For example, if a factory worker fails to be aware of the existence of BangladeshLabourAct, 2006, he/she will remain silent while his/her safety is endangered. Likewise, women and children would suffer quietly because they fail to be aware of a certain law.

One thing that we need to keep in mind is that our country has three main pillars-the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. The legislature passes laws; the executive enforces laws; and the judiciary interprets laws. Among them,the most important component is the citizen who will have to usethe law. All these activities take place under the law. But when the citizens fail to understand these laws, then these components become ineffective for them. Therefore, confidence in the system is declining day by day.

Moreover, law is not comprehensible to everyone. The meaning, intention, and purpose are not clearly understood by everybody. The famous maxim “Ignorance of the law excuses no man” comes to mind. But how is it possible when one cannot even understand them? As the renowned jurist P. N. Bhagwati emphasized, law is not merely a system of punishment but a tool to achieve social justice and broader societal goals. However, we can never realize such a social objective where half of the society is unaware of the language of law.

Similarly, Jeremy Benthamargued that all laws should be precise and comprehensible so that everyone can understand them; otherwise, the law will only remain as written but will not protect anyone.

Finally, as B. R. Ambedkarhas consistently emphasized, unless individuals become aware of their rights, those rights become meaningless.

Making the Law Easy for Everyone

As a law student, I cannot exactly tell how the authority should manage the problem, but I can share my ideas. Law was created for humans, so all people should know it. Fixing this situation does not need any magic. It needs small steps from everyone. We often wait for someone else to come and save us. But real protection comes from knowing our own rights.

First, the language used in the law should be clear sothat everyone can understand it. If the government introduces any legislation for farmers, teachers, and drivers, they should all be able to easily understand it. The government can print simplified copies of key laws in both Bangla and English so that all people can understand their intentions.

Second, we must learn together. Legal awareness should be part of school and college curricula. We should add a subject in every curriculum about law so that every student becomes aware of it. In addition, we could begin with conversations. If I learn something useful, I could share it. If a neighbor does not know any rules, we could inform them simply.

Thirdly, we could employ technology. At present, almost everyone has a mobile phone. The government and organizations could send legal updates through SMS and social media. There are plenty of useful resources out there; however, ordinary citizens are unaware of them.

Finally, we should stop being afraid of asking questions. Many people stay quiet because they fear they will look foolish. But there is no shame in gaining knowledge. Silence only creates more problems.When the law becomes understandable, fear turns into confidence. As Mahatma Gandhi once said,
“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”

Once we understand the law, we become competent enough to safeguard our rights and act accordingly. The faith in the legal system will once again be restored among the masses when the law is used to its full potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is necessary to understand a very simple concept: if the law cannot penetrate the lives of the masses, then it will be meaningless because it will be nothing more than a document drafted by the lawmakers.

In order for there to be any justice in society, everyone must have knowledge of and be able to exercise their rights.

There is no time to waste; we must begin today. Since we are students and citizens, it is our responsibility to make the public awareof their rights. We do not have to be knowledgeable; we simply need to communicate our ideas. If one person gets enlightened, everyone else will follow suit.

It is to be hoped that one day no one will remain silent or oppressed due to ignorance of the law. Only then can law truly become a friend to all citizens.

United with knowledge, we secure ourselves and each other.

Writer Sabiha Jamal Nitu is a Law Student of Stamford University Bangladesh.