Governance Assessment of Local Restorative Justice System: A Case Study of Village Court in Bangladesh

Author:

Uddin Nasir12,Ara Ismat3

Affiliation:

1. School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, The University of Memphis, TN, USA

2. Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong, Chattagram, Bangladesh

3. Department of Political Science, University of Chittagong, Chattagram, Bangladesh

Abstract

Access to local justice resolutions is significant not only for the rule of law but also for human rights, democratic governance, poverty reduction and security. Since many rural residents do not have access to formal courts, local justice resolution, namely village court (VC), is the only restorative mechanism in Bangladesh that is accessible and convenient for the grassroots community. This study investigates the management of restorative justice in Bangladesh and evaluates its effectiveness in terms of participation, accountability and transparency. Using key informant interviews and focus group discussions with Union Parishad officials and locals, the study collected empirical data from 60 respondents, who were purposefully selected from four unions covering two districts in Bangladesh. To understand judicial proceedings and interpret the data accordingly, the research team also observed the hearing procedures of the VC with the permission of the proper authorities. Since the local justice resolution system only handles minor and petty cases related to civil and criminal matters, the study indicates that the VC allows a great deal of popular participation in adjudication processes and ensures partial transparency through an open hearing system without incorporating formal mechanisms of accountability. This analysis also shows that ensuring good governance practices in the VC becomes imperative for impartial and credible justice for the local community. Despite having several gaps in the governance framework and drawbacks, the study concludes that a strengthened restorative justice mechanism might contribute to the performance of the formal judiciary, provide a feasible option for locals, and empower them. Therefore, ensuring good governance requires a comprehensive approach that looks beyond legal and judicial reforms and tackles broader structural, social and economic factors. By exploring governance performance and gaps in the local justice system, the article significantly contributes to the government’s and policymakers’ efforts to measure progress and reduce weaknesses. Although the VC system is still relatively new in many countries, it could be an excellent resource for restorative justice systems across the globe.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Economics, Econometrics and Finance,Political Science and International Relations,Sociology and Political Science,Development,Cultural Studies

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3