Soon after the Independence, Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) was established in June 1972 under the direction of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as an independent research-oriented think tank of the nation in the fields of law and international affairs. Its main objective is to help the nation establish the rule of law, good governance, human rights, law and diplomacy to foster international cooperation and understanding. Continuing research and interaction in the fields of law and international affairs has been the source of BILIA’s strength. As the Institute grew in strength over time, the dimensions of Law and International Affairs also expanded.
In this process, BILIA had to undertake programmes such as researcher dialogue and interaction on various topics. BILIA achieved confidence and recognition as a centre of excellence for high quality research, publication and for dissemination of knowledge. It has also played a significant role in
legislative drafting and judicial training and conducted pioneering training courses in both these areas. It is noteworthy that International Crimes Tribunal Act-1973 was drafted in BILIA. This is the first domestic law for prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. Logical continuation of this exercise led BILIA to organize the third International Criminal Law Conference in Dhaka on December 26-29, 1974 in which the idea of establishing International Criminal Court (ICC) was conceived. This idea of a Permanent International Criminal Court was conceived and germinated in Dhaka in 1974, which took another 24 years for the international community to establish the same in 1998. Thus BILIA had played a commendable role in the development of International Criminal Jurisprudence.
I am happy to note that BILIA is now expanding its work through various projects in the field of law, human rights, international economics, sustainable development, environment and foreign policy and other fields of national and international importance. It is my firm belief that BILIA will continue to play a more proactive role in meeting the long felt need for institutional support in establishing democracy, the rule of law and good governance with necessary support from all relevant quarters.