School of Law, CIU Dean’s Message

Every day, lawyers and legal professionals make a real difference in people’s lives. Our society looks to the legal profession for leadership in working through many of the most difficult issues that we face: balancing values of liberty and privacy against the need for security, establishing equality against a history of discrimination, ensuring the fairness of markets and safeguarding our economy, protecting the environment in the face of climate change, preserving free expression and religious liberty.

Our goal at Chittagong Independent University (CIU) Law School is to prepare you not simply to manage the many roles that lawyers play but to fulfill the responsibilities that clients will entrust to you and that our society places on the profession. Our goal is to prepare you to overcome the challenges that you will face. To improve the lives of the clients you represent. To make our institutions stronger. To help our society find solutions that are effective and fair, smart and compassionate, principled yet practical. To excel.

The law is a service profession, and CIU Law is a service-oriented school. Our motto, “In the service of others,” is not a mere catchphrase; it is the guiding principle that will prepare you for a life of responsible legal practice.

CIU Law faculties will help you in your preparation to become a leader in the legal profession. Our faculties demand high standards—not simply diligence but also intellectual openness and integrity. They will help you see important connections between the practice of law and principles of justice and fairness.

Perhaps most important, the CIU community will support you throughout your time at CIU Law school and long after graduation. You will become an integral member of a large and loyal support system. You will become connected with CIU Law alumni who are involved in all aspects of the law, from government service to big business, litigation to arbitration, advocacy to legislation. You will benefit from that we call the Network Effect.

I invite you to check out more of our website to discover what you can do with a CIU Law education. Of course, the best way to learn more about us is to visit us in person. We’re in the heart of Chittagong just down the block from Jamal Khan Road. We’re eager to greet you and show you what kind of impact you can make with a CIU Law degree.

Ms. Nazneen Akter
Assistant Dean
School of Law, CIU

International Conference

The School of Law, Chittagong Independent University is organizing an International Conference on “Human Rights and Business” on 19 February 2022 with a theme “Addressing the Emerging Coherence between Human Rights and Business”. In 21st century, one of the most significant changes in the human rights debate is the increased recognition of the link between business and human rights. Businesses are increasingly focused on the impact they have on individuals, communities and the environment. Harmonizing economic growth with the protection of human rights is one of the great challenges we face today. Corporate sectors are important actors in the international system as they are major source of investment, trade and employment. Growing evidences reveal that multinational corporations can even undermine the legitimate authority of the nation state and may have profound negative consequences upon social and economic structure of a state. Ongoing process of globalization carried by economic integration, free trade, technological innovation has fueled the possibility of rampant human rights violations by businesses. “Business agreements invariably affect the human rights of consumers, residents, workers, those in poverty and others, and on the ability of States to regulate and protect the human rights of their people. However, Business agreements are often negotiated without reference to their impact on the rights to health, education, food, work, and water,” according to a joint report from the UN Human Rights office (OHCHR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The purpose of human rights analysis in Business issues is to explore how “Business affects the enjoyment of human rights and how the promotion and protection of human rights can be placed among the objectives of Business reform.” In a recent panel during a World Business Organization (WTO) Public Forum, human rights and business experts debated ways in which human rights can be woven into the fabric of the international trading system, including the WTO Dispute Settlement and Business Policy Review Mechanisms. The panel sought to identify avenues for ensuring coherence and synergy between human rights and business. In theory, more business should increase economic welfare and protection of human rights should ensure individual dignity. Both fields of law protect certain freedoms: economic development should lead to higher human rights standards, and UN embargoes are used to secure compliance with human rights agreements. However, the interaction between business liberalisation and human rights protection is complex, and recently, tension has arisen between these two areas. In light of the above recent developments, School of Law, Chittagong Independent University would like to extend a platform to all researchers, practitioners and academicians to contribute through the upcoming International Conference. Early career scholars, PhD candidates, researchers, practitioners and academicians are encouraged to submit an Abstract (maximum 300 words) of their works to solif@ciu.edu.bd by 30 November, 2021. Selected abstracts will be notified by 15 December, 2021. Paper (5-6 pages / 2000-4000 words) for the Conference will be due by 15 January, 2022. Last date of payment for participation fee is 31 January 2022. The Conference will take place virtually on 19 February, 2022.

Objectives:

The conference aims

--- To provide a platform for intellectual from various fields and disciplines to discuss contemporary issues;

--- To enhance collaboration between academics and practitioners and researchers from various places to share experiences and knowledge;

--- To establish international networks among the participants from various disciplines.

Editorial Board:

Prof. Md. Zakir Hossain, Chittagong Independent University

Prof. Dr. Mir Mohammad Nurul Absar, Chittagong Independent University

Prof. Dr. Manzur Qader, Chittagong Independent University

Prof. Madya Dr. Rohana binti Abdur Rahman, Universiti Utara Malaysia

Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Kathmandu School of Law

Prof. Dr. Zahurul Haq, Universiti Utara Malaysia

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shahin Chowdhury, University of Chittagong

Conference Theme:

Submissions should relate to one of the conference-theme tracks: (Any participant from Law and Business disciplines are invited to submit their papers on the following themes)
1. Human Rights
2. Business

Important Dates of the Conference:

Events	Tentative Date
Abstract Submission (300 words)	30 November 2021
Notification of the Acceptance of Abstract	15 December 2021
Full Paper Submission (5-6 pages / 2000-4000 words)	15 January 2022
Registration Deadline	31 January 2022
Conference Date	19 February 2022
Distribution of e-Certificate	28 February 2022

Payment Procedure:

Program Schedule on the Conference Day:

SUBMISSION OF PAPER

Abstract: Abstract must be in English and within 300 words.

Conference Paper: It should be written according to the below structure including the following headings: Introduction, Objectives, Methodology, Significance, Findings/Results, Conclusion, Acknowledgment, References and Keywords. The paper can contain figures, tables and/or images and should not exceed 5-6 pages including the references in between 2000-4000 words.

Font type and size: Times New Roman and font size 12.

References: The APA system (Latest Edition).

Download Template: Abstract (Download HERE), Paper Download HERE

ONLINE SUBMISSION PROCESS

SELECTED PAPERS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION IN SCOPUS AND ESTEEMED JOURNALS

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES

All accepted Extended Abstracts of the International Conference on “Human Rights and Business”will be published as e-proceedings. E-Certificate will also be provided to all the participants.

SUPPORTING JOURNALS

Selected full papers will have the opportunity to publish in the following indexed journal:
- UUM Journal of Legal Studies (SCOPUS)
- CIU Journal