Advocacy and Networking

Campaign and Advocacy

Ask promotes and upholds the principles of human rights by the means of media, national, regional, and global mechanisms. It holds a UN ECOSOC Consultative status since 1998. Furthermore, ASK uses Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as a tool to reform laws and policies.

Networking

ASK initiates a network of the community human rights activists and engages with relevant national, regional, and international networks for influencing policies, justice, and universal human rights.

Investigation & Monitoring

ASK aims for the behavioral changes of the public institutions in favour of promoting and protecting human rights. It systematically monitors and strengthens public accountability. The human rights groups volunteers across the country work as the frontiers to investigate and report on human rights situation. The defenders protest to the incidences of human rights violations (HRV) and conduct advocacy with relevant state authorities and other stakeholders to bring responsiveness in respecting human rights. They keep ASK updated about the human rights situation across the country.

Documentation

ASK documents and disseminates information on human rights by tracking incidents of human rights violation from the national dailies. It takes legal and humanitarian actions to address such incidents. ASK’s human rights resources centre (HRRC) collects data and prepares cumulative statistical charts on HRVs for wiser reference of the human rights researchers, journalists, academicians and activists.

Publication and Communication

ASK serves as a knowledge hub of human rights information in Bangladesh. It publishes a quarterly journal titled, “Bulletin” in Bangla as well as a range of other publications such as periodicals, books and pamphlets bearing ASK’s insignia. The focus of such publications are contemporary human rights issues and issues of laws and policy. ASK contributes to legislation and judgment, popular media and human rights periodicals. ASK publishes yearly human reports in Bangla and English.

Investigation

From its beginning, ASK has been effectively working in the field of monitoring human rights situation in Bangladesh. Considering the importance and requirements of investigation related activities, verified information, data, documents or reports, ASK established the Investigation Unit on May 1994. Since then, the Investigation unit has been playing significant role to attain the goal & objectives of ASK through investigation and reporting on human rights situation, especially, violation of human rights.

ASK’s investigation of HRVs are a very useful source for litigation, advocacy, campaign or any other remedial purpose to protect and promote human rights. Out of monitoring & investigation activities, the Unit is also engaged in community mobilization against any human rights violation. The Unit provides fact-finding training for human rights activists working at grass root level. Besides these, the unit is also very much responsive and cooperative to any kind of urgent call in any crisis, even to comm.. Read more about Investigation Unit

Investigation
- Fact Finding
- Intervention

Publication and Communication

One of the oldest Unit of ASK, Publication and Communication Unit (PCU) plays a behind-the-scenes but significant role in ASK’s advocacy efforts to reorient public opinion and encourage human rights activism. The Unit first started its journey by publishing “Sanglap”, an issue-based publication, in December 1993. Read more about Publication and Communication Unit

Publication and Communication

Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform

Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit works to protect fundamental rights of the citizens of Bangladesh through Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The Unit also prepares drafts for enacting new laws and provides policy recommendations for legal reform. Read more about Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit

Media & International Advocacy

ASK has always believed media as an important tool for advocacy on Law and policy reform. The Media and International Advocacy unit (MIA) is the focal point for ASK’s contacts with the national and international media. Read more about Media & International Advocacy Unit