Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has said the multidimensional crises facing the world today cannot be addressed by any single country alone.

Countries must share responsibilities based on a common sense of responsibility and take effective, coordinated international action to address global challenges, including human rights protection, migration, cybercrime and the challenges arising from the rapid development of artificial intelligence, he said.

The law minister made the remarks while addressing the opening session of the International Justice Summit–Istanbul 2026 in Istanbul on Thursday (October 8).

He said the global legal system is currently facing a range of challenges. Rapid technological development has connected the world and made service delivery easier, but it has also created new forms of inequality, division and risks of cross-border crime.

“Simply enacting new laws is not enough to address these challenges. Effective measures are needed based on justice, human dignity and a shared sense of responsibility,” he said.

Highlighting Istanbul’s historical significance, the minister said the city, as a meeting point of cultures, knowledge and civilisations, is an ideal venue for global discussions and exchanges of views.

Referring to the historic and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye, he also recalled Bangladesh’s longstanding solidarity with the people of Türkiye.

Referring to the July-August 2024 mass uprising, the law minister said more than 1,400 people were killed and around 3,000 injured during the period. Most of them were students and working-class people who had raised their voices against discrimination in employment and public services. He said these incidents were also documented in the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ fact-finding report.

Md. Asaduzzaman said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to restoring the rule of law in Bangladesh. During its tenure, trials of enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity are being conducted in line with international human rights law and standards, he said.

On the Rohingya crisis, the law minister said Bangladesh has provided shelter to nearly 1.2 million displaced Rohingyas. This is not only a humanitarian challenge for Bangladesh but has also placed immense pressure on the country’s resources, environment, social stability and regional security.

“Bangladesh cannot carry this global burden alone, nor should it be expected to do so,” he said.

Asaduzzaman said the Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar and must be resolved through the collective responsibility of the international community, ensuring the Rohingyas’ dignity, citizenship and a peaceful future.

Expressing gratitude for Türkiye’s support during the Rohingya crisis, he said Türkiye had stood beside Bangladesh since the beginning of the crisis. Bangladesh gratefully remembers Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan’s visit to Cox’s Bazar and Türkiye’s continued diplomatic engagement, he said.

“Now this solidarity must be transformed into more sustainable and effective action,” he added.

The law minister said technological development has also created new challenges, including cybercrime, harmful content, misinformation, disinformation and algorithmic bias. These problems have no borders, and no country can effectively regulate cross-border technology companies or digital crimes through its laws alone, he said.

He said Bangladesh is working to establish a balanced legal framework that addresses cybercrime while protecting freedom of expression and fundamental rights. However, coordinated international action is necessary to effectively address such global challenges.

He called on developed countries to provide developing countries with technology transfer, capacity building, forensic expertise and training in law and justice based on genuine partnerships.

Highlighting the importance of international dispute resolution, the minister said cross-border disputes are rapidly increasing in areas including foreign investment, boundary demarcation, energy markets, intellectual property and breaches of contractual obligations.

International arbitration can play an important role in resolving such disputes, he said.

He said Article 25 of the Constitution of Bangladesh recognises respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of international disputes as fundamental principles of state policy. Bangladesh has also taken initiatives to strengthen its legal framework for commercial dispute resolution to provide stronger protection for international investors.

However, the international dispute resolution system must be affordable, transparent and fair for everyone, he said, stressing that justice should never become something accessible only to the powerful.

Emphasising the implementation of decisions and declarations adopted at various international forums, the law minister said the world is now tired of unfulfilled political statements.

“Grand declarations cannot solve the problems of displaced people, stop digital monopolies or heal the wounds of oppression,” he said.

He said the time has come to make decisions and establish a global system of shared responsibility capable of addressing challenges that no country can resolve alone.

The law minister also said events such as the International Justice Summit provide policymakers, judges, legal experts and specialists from different countries with opportunities to exchange experiences.

He expressed hope that through collective discussions and shared experiences, a practical path could be identified toward a more just, effective and responsive global justice system.

The International Justice Summit–Istanbul 2026 is being held in Istanbul on October 8 and 9. Justice ministers, judges, legal experts and prominent figures from related fields from 75 countries are participating in the summit.