The legal and political landscape of Bangladesh has lost one of its most distinguished figures with the passing of AF Hassan Ariff, who died on Friday at the age of 83.
Ariff, a prominent Bangladeshi lawyer and respected advocate at the Supreme Court, also served as an adviser to the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
He held the position of attorney general of Bangladesh and served in key advisory roles across several ministries, including Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Land, and Religious Affairs, under the leadership of Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government.
Born in Kolkata on July 10, 1941, Ariff completed his early education at St Xavier's College, Kolkata, and later earned a law degree from Calcutta University.
He began his legal career in 1967 as a lawyer at the Kolkata High Court before moving to Dhaka, where he practiced at the Bangladesh High Court.
In the 1970s, he founded his own law firm, AF Hassan Ariff & Associates, and notably represented Abdul Quader Mollah, the assistant secretary-general of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Ariff served as attorney general of Bangladesh from October 2001 to April 2005. During his tenure, he became known for his firm stance against fraudulent practices within the legal community, even opposing members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He resigned after failing to gain support from BNP lawyers for his proposed reforms.
Hassan Ariff’s contributions extended beyond his legal career. From January 2008 to January 2009, he served as an advisor in the caretaker government, providing expertise in the ministries of Law, Justice, Land, and Religious Affairs.
In August 2024, he joined the interim government as an advisor for the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and later for the Ministry of Land.
Ariff was widely respected for his expertise in constitutional law, banking, corporate matters, public procurement, and arbitration. His clients included major organizations such as Bangladesh Bank, Grameenphone, and Robi Axiata Limited.
An active member of the international legal community, he served as a panelist in the Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC), the SAARC Arbitration Council, and the Shanghai Arbitration Commission.
In 2010, he was appointed Chief of the Election Observer Mission for the Asian Network For Free Elections (ANFREL) in the Philippines. His extensive experience in national and international legal matters solidified his reputation as a distinguished figure in the field.
Throughout his career, Hassan Ariff was a passionate advocate for justice and contributed to numerous training programs for the legal community. He also held key positions in high-profile organizations, including the International Court of Arbitration and the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association, where he served as Vice President.
Tragically, on December 20, 2024, AF Hassan Ariff passed away after suffering a heart attack while receiving treatment at LabAid Hospital in Dhaka.
His first funeral prayer (Janaza) was held on December 20, 2024, at the Dhanmondi 7 Mosque after the evening (Esha) prayers. A second Janaza is scheduled for 11:00 AM on December 21, 2024, at the High Court premises.
His daughter, currently abroad, is expected to arrive on December 22, 2024, to finalize burial arrangements.
Hassan Ariff will be remembered as a devoted legal professional, advisor, and public servant who profoundly shaped the legal and political landscape of Bangladesh. His death marks a significant loss to the country’s legal community and beyond.