ASK Investigation Unit

ASK Investigation Unit have conducted four training sessions on Human Rights Monitoring, Investigation and Reporting, under the Professional Service Contract signed by ASK and UNDP Bangladesh. Sessions were held in Barisal on 10^th – 12^th June , in Satkhira on 15^th-17^th June, in Rajshahi on 21-23^rd July and in Dinajpur 23^rd-26^th July 2013.

A total of 102 participants including 40 females, representatives of  BLAST, BNWLA, MLAA, Paritran, Sodesh, and some other organizations from 31 south-west and north-south districts of Bangladesh participated in those training. Most of the participants were  Lawyers and also some College-teacher,  LEB (Local Elected Body) members, Journalists, a few students, some NGO staff, including Investigation unit affiliated HRDF members –  active in the field of human rights who are now motivated to assist NHRC in protection and promotion of human rights at the grass root level.

All four sessions were conducted by John Asit (as the Training Coordinator), Abu Ahmed Faizul Kabir, Topoti Bhattacharja, Md. Tipu Sultan (DD) and Md. Nur Khan, Director of ASK Investigation. Besides, three representatives from NHRC, some BLAST personal also conducted some sessions at different trainings.

The objective of the sessions were to establish a strong partnership with leading Human Rights Defenders Organisations (HRDO) and individuals aiming to

i) build strong network among the HRDO at national and grass root level to work together as a network/platform to protect human rights;

ii) capacity building of a core group of investigators and of the networks;

iii) create a core group of HRDO that will be used as a channel to reach people at the grassroots level.

ASK Investigation Unit Director, Nur Khan

An effective network and partnership with NHRC and the grass root level Human Rights Defenders was established through the training. Their theoretical and practical knowledge and techniques of monitoring, investigation and reporting, have been enhanced; and finally they are encouraged to assist NHRC to investigate and to assist NHRC in dealing complains of HRVs occurred at their respective area.

ASK Investigation Unit has conducted three sessions on Human Rights Monitoring Investigation & Report Writing in Sylhet, Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar  in September 2013 under the same contract.

According to the feedback of the participants, the Trainings were  effective and useful for their professional life and also for their personal life. They are thankful to NHRC and ASK to offer them the opportunity to be aware and enriched in theoretical and practical knowledge and skills from the training. They  expressed their  satisfaction by overall discussion, sharing, learning, exercising, training approach and methodology.