Project Title: Civil Society Organisations advancing child rights activism through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) mechanism in Bangladesh

Project Duration: December 2022- May 2024

Development Partner: European Union

Overview
ASK is a national legal aid and human rights organisation that actively works towards the promotion and protection of human rights culture in Bangladesh. The action builds on ASK’s experience in working towards the enhancement, protection and promotion of rights of the disadvantaged groups, including the women and children in Bangladesh, implementing gender responsive interventions, collaborating with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), government of Bangladesh, and other Non-government organisations. It induces on the experience of ASK’s engagement in monitoring, reporting and following-up on the rights situation of the country through the international human rights monitoring mechanism, including the charter-based monitoring mechanisms, such as involvement in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), sending communication through Special Procedures to the Special Rapporteurs on thematic issues, as well as the treaty-based monitoring mechanisms, such as submitting periodic reports from the stakeholders. ASK’s foundational experience in conducting advocacy with other government agencies during the various review processes aided in having the expert committee to accept a high number of the recommendations placed by the organisation.

Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh (CRAC, B) is one of the most vibrant coalition in Bangladesh working for the promotion and protection of child rights since 2013. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has been playing an active role as member since its inception and as the Secretariat since 2018. The Coalition is encompassed of most of the frontline child rights platforms in the country, with organisations and forums alike. For the first time in Bangladesh, the Coalition established a child rights monitoring system and executed a working follow-up advocacy in Bangladesh in line with UPR and UNCRC mechanism. ASK through CRAC, B aims to facilitate more stronger Civil Society platform and strengthen collective efforts to support the Government and other stakeholders in this process.

This project has been designed to ensure the sustainability of the continuous monitoring on the progress of implementation of the UPR and UNCRC recommendations utilising the monitoring framework, making it functional and strengthen the capacity of the CSOs in Bangladesh to integrate the rights of children within their priority areas so that they continue to work on their rights even when the project dissolves.

Objective

To advance the rights of the children in Bangladesh and support the government in fulfilling its commitments via the UPR and UNCRC mechanism by building an active civil society, including partner NGOs, coalition members, and other national human rights organisations in Bangladesh through reporting, follow-up, and monitoring implementations of UPR and UNCRC recommendations on child rights issues.

Project Actors/Stakeholders and Their Role

• Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh- the Coalition has been working to monitor government’s commitments on child rights under UPR and UNCRC.
• CSOs- CSOs will act as a pressure group to ensure government’s accountability regarding child rights.
• Children and Youth groups- they are the key beneficiary and they will share their situation, expectations and demands based on their experiences.
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – The Commission will build the bridge between the CSOs and the government on child rights issues.
• Ministry of Children and Women Affairs (MoWCA) – The MoWCA is the key ministry to deal with issues related to children.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) – The MoFA has a critical role to play in UPR and UNCRC process.
• Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MoLJPA) – The MoLJPA has a critical role to play in the enactment and drafting of legislations.

Beneficiaries

• Children and Youth Forums
• Child Rights based CSOs
• Children
• Government Authorities

Project Implementation Methods

• Participatory Approach
• Holistic Approach
• Inclusiveness
• Materials and Resources
• Research and Content Development

Working Area

• Dhaka: Dhaka City Corporations (North & South). However, relevant stakeholders of the divisional levels will be consulted and involved through consultations and dialogues, organised by the coalition members.