The Establishment of the National Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh: An Account
Research in Focus 2012 Conference, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria, Australia, September 27-28, 2012
22 Pages Posted: 30 Sep 2012
Date Written: September 27, 2012
Abstract
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Bangladesh was established by a non-party caretaker Government on 1 September, 2008 in response to repeated calls and pressure from the international community and donors. It has been established in accordance with international conventions and the UN Paris Principles to ensure that it is a truly independent, neutral and people-oriented organization. However, the situation of human rights in Bangladesh revolves around a number of key issues: restrictions of freedom of expression, association and assembly; malevolent use of martial law and emergency and terrorism laws; evidence of rampant institutional corruption; allegations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and torture; frustration over the ineffectiveness of parliaments, judiciary processes and police forces. The NHRC is trying to raise its voice against those issues but to date there is no study on the perceived gap between its objectives and the activities of the commission. This PhD research aims to better understand the human rights situation in Bangladesh, highlight achievements to date, and identify processes likely to promote the effectiveness of the NHRC. To commence this study, online newspapers were reviewed in order to provide an historical account of the development and instigation of the NHRC as it currently stands.
Keywords: Human Rights Institution, Bangladesh, government, civil society, NGOs, donors, international community
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