ASK, as a member of Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) prepares the annual country report focusing on the independence, effectiveness and the performance of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Bangladesh.

The report is a critical assessment of the performance of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRC) in the protection and promotion of human rights, mainly between January to December 2013 as well as during the first half of 2014.

Media and International advocacy Unit of ASK organized a national level sharing titled  “NHRC: Institutional Commitment Needed” as well as launching of ANNI Report 2014 on 13 November 2014 from 10 am to 1 pm at VIP Lounge, Press Club, Topkhana Road, Dhaka.

Sultana Kamal, Executive Director of ASK presided over the discussion and Prof. Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of NHRC, Bangladesh was present as the Chief Guest at that national level launching of ANNI Report 2014. Joses Kuan, the coordinator of Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) shared and highlighted the experiences on regional advocacy and its impact at international level through the ANNI report.

“The overall human rights situation in 2013 was alarming amid continuous political violence throughout the year, and it has been one of the most challenging years for the country’s economy in recent times,” noted the report. “Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings [as “crossfire” and “encounter”] and deaths in police custody continued along with communal violence, harassment and killing of journalists, gender-based violence and violation of workers’ rights,” it added.

The government should take concrete measures and sincere efforts to make National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) financially independent and also an internationally acclaimed institution, said speakers. Representatives from various NGOs, human rights organisations, diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, print and electronic media, academicians, and students were present at the national level sharing event.

To watch the short video on how ASK Advocates for a stronger National Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh.   Please Click Link or watch video below (dubbed in Bengali).

The Bangladesh Country report which ASK submitted is available in both English and Bengali below. This was part of the Annual Regional ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions,which can be found on this link.

ANNI Report 2014-Bengali

Bangladesh Chapter of ANNI Report 2014