Bangladesh Judges become members of PCA, the Hague

Justice Md. Tofazzal Islam and Justice Md. Awlad Ali have become members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration situated in The Hague, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

This is the first time Bangladeshi judges are going to be included in this prestigious institution as member of the court. The International Bureau of the PCA has welcomed the appointments of the Bangladeshi judges for next 6 years in accordance with Article 44 of the 1907 Hague Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, says a press release issued by the foreign ministry.

These appointments are the results of continuous engagement of Bangladesh for promoting world peace through extensive engagements with the legal institutions in The Hague and beyond.

Justice Md. Tofazzal Islam is a former Chief Justice and Justice Md. Awlad Ali is a former judge of the High Court Division.

Justice Md. Tofazzal Islam was the principal author of several landmark judgements including repeal of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of Bangladesh and upholding the judgement of the High Court Division sentencing the killers of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Justice Mr. Md. Awlad Ali, during his professional career, conducted good number of commercial arbitration cases as a lawyer. Both the judges bring along with them vast experience in the relevant field.

Situated in a heritage building called Peace Palace in The Hague, the PCA is an intergovernmental organization with 117 member states.

The PCA established in 1899 is active in facilitating arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.

This is the court from where arbitration decision on maritime boundary dispute between Bangladesh and India was awarded. – Staff Reporter