Annual Report 2007 - askbd.orgIBDP: Issue-based Drama Presentation ICC: International Criminal Court INV: Investigation Unit JDA: Junior Documentation Assistant LEB: Local Elected

Annual report 2007 1

2 Annual report 2007

Ain o Salish Kedra (ASK)

Annual

Report

2007


Annual Report 2007

Photography : ASK

Cover : Manan MorshedPublished by : Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)

26/3 Purana Paltan LineDhaka

Printed by : ARKA, Eastern Plaza, Dhaka.

ASKAny material published in this report may be reproduced with acknowledgements to ASK. C


Acknowledgements

This consolidated report draws upon individual reports provided byeach unit. The activities of several units are included under threeparts and annexure which design ASK’s broad based strategies forcreating awareness of human rights , providing legal aid and otherforms of support and advocating for reform.

Annual reports are a process of making sense out of a milliondifferent activities and experiences that form ASK’s contribution topromoting a culture of rights and responsibilities of all citizens. Thecontribution of all the staff and members in preparing this report andcommenting upon it needs to be recognized.

The final product of composing, formatting and lay out of thereport was the responsibility of Anil Mandel. Other computer opera-tors, who composed the first draft, were Mohsin Ali, Abedul Mowla,Mosharaf Hossain and Rehana Sultana. The Administration andPublication Units assisted with its production.

Md. AsaduzzamanSecretary General


Contents

Acronyms 4Glossary 5ASK at a Glance 6Foreword 9

Part OneProgramme and Activities 10

Part TwoCollective Actions Taken by Different Units and Result ofCampaigns and Advocacy 21

Part ThreeChallenges Faced by ASK: in carrying Different Programmes 23

AnnexuresAnnex-I: Key Activities of ASK Units in 2007 25Annex-II: Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Balance Sheet 31Annex-III: ASK Members/ Executive Committee 32Annex-IV: ASK Personnel 33Annex-V: Sponsors of Working Children ‘07 34


Acronyms

ADMIN : Administration UnitADR : Alternative Dispute ResolutionADV : Advocacy Unit

AM : Area ManagerASC : Ain Shohayota CommitteeASK : Ain o Salish Kendra

BARD : Bangladesh Academy for Rural Develop-ment

BRAC : Bangladesh Rural Advancement CommitteeCAT : Convention Against Torture

CEDAW : Convention on the Elimination of All forms ofDiscrimination Against Women.

CHT : Chittagong Hill TractsCO : Community Organiser

COMM : Communication UnitCRC : Convention on the Rights of Children

DD : Deputy DirectorDIC : Drop-In Centres

DOC : Documentation UnitEC : Executive CommitteeED : Executive DirectorFC : Foundation Course

FGD : Focus Group DiscussionFIN : Finance UnitFO : Field OrganiserFW : Field WorkerGA : Gender Awareness

GJHR : Gender Justice and Human RightsGSJ : Gender and Social Justice UnitHR : Human Rights

HRD : Human Resources DevelopmentHRV : Human Rights Violation

HURIDOCS : Human Rights Information & Documenta-tion System

HRDF : Human Rights Defenders ForumIBDP : Issue-based Drama PresentationICC : International Criminal CourtINV : Investigation Unit

JDA : Junior Documentation AssistantLEB : Local Elected BodyLIT : Litigation UnitLL : Literacy Learning

MND : Manabadhikar Natya DalMNP : Manabadhikar Natya ParishadMSP : Manabadhikar Sangrakkhan ParishadMNS : Manabadhikar Nari SamajMAP : Manobadhikar Ainjibi ParishadMIS : Management Information System

MPTT : Mobile Popular Theatre TeamMRR : Mediation and Rapid Response UnitNGO : Non-Governmental OrganisationOCD : Orientation Course on Democracy

OUT : Outreach UnitPIL : Public Interest Litigation

PNGOs : Partner Non-Governmental OrganizationsPO : Program OrganiserPP : Project Proposal

PSH : Psycho-Social Help UnitPT : Popular Theatre Unit

PWC : Protection of Working Children UnitPME : Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unitRES : Research UnitRM : Regional Manager

RSS : Regional Sector SpecialistS : Shalish

SAF : Staff Appraisal FormatSC : Study Circles

SDA : Senior Documentation AssistantSOL : Social Opinion Leader

SR : Service RuleSSHH : Support Services and Halfway Home Unit

STT : School Theatre TeamTA : Theatre Activist

TOR : Terms of ReferenceTOT : Training of Trainers

TRNG : Training UnitULTT : Union Level Theatre Team

UN : United NationsUZLTT : Upazilla Level Theatre TeamVAW : Violence Against Women

WLUML : Women Living Under Muslim Laws


GlossaryFatwa: Arabic for opinion of a person knowledgeablein Shariah. In Bangladesh villages, it is decreed bypeople who have no legal authority; they do not clarifyan ambiguous legal situation but weigh up evidencewhich traditionally was never a function of a fatwa giver.Increasingly, fatwas are being used to bolster the au-thority of the shalish system. Some punitive fatwashave been issued against women, who were divorced,for working with NGOs or just working outside thehome. Some punishments are inhuman, such as, flog-ging, buried up to waist and stoned to death, beatingwith shoes, etc.Government Legal Aid: Ainoto Shahayata ProdanAin, 2000 (Legal Support Fund) is authorised to pro-vide financial support (to the extent of taka 300,000 ineach district) for legal aid for insolvent persons. TheFund covers lawyer’s fees, expenses during trials andadditional charges. The District Legal Aid Committeeallocates funds and cases to lawyers. The DistrictJudge is the President and Secretary of the Bar Asso-ciation is the secretary of the Committee that includesDistrict Magistrate, Police Super, Public Prosecutor,Representative of Department of Women and Child Af-fairs, Department of Social Welfare, Local NGOs andothers. Lawyers have to submit quarterly reports ontheir cases to the Committee.Hilla: Intervening marriage often imposed in caseswhere the husband - on an impulse - verbally divorcesthe wife, repents later and wants to take her back.Although practiced in some places, it has no legalfoundation in Bangladesh.HRDF: Human Rights Defenders’ Forums are districtlevel groups formed in 15 districts with local lawyers,journalists, NGO representatives, members of electedbodies. They investigate HRVs, monitor human rightssituation and take necessary follow up steps. ASKprovides necessary technical support (orientation,training) and forms are to send investigation reports toASK.MND : Manabadhikar Natya Dals are union based vol-untary, theatre groups trained by the Popular TheatreUnit to stage social plays on local human rights andlegal issues. The members also include women.MNP: Manabadhikar Natya Parishads are Upazilla fed-erations of union based theatre groups.MSP:Manabadhikar Sangrakkhan Parishads are vol-untary, human rights monitors formed under the Gen-der and Social Justice Programme at the union andUpazilla levels. Includes men and women.

MNS:Manabadhikar Nari Samaj was formed withwomen members of MSP.MAP:Manobadhikar Ainjibi Parishad, is a lawyers’group which voluntarily provides advice to CBOs at le-gal camps, availing Government free of charge LegalAid Fund. Sometimes they conduct cases. Besidesthis they try to enhance human rights culture in Court.PNGOs: NGOs who partner with ASK in defence ofhuman rights. ASK trains organisation staff and groupmembers in family law, human rights, women’s rights,etc., to enable them to promote and protect humanrights.Shalish : An informal, traditional system of mediationused to settle marital and land disputes outside thecourt.Shalishkar: Mediators who conduct shalish. Gener-ally, local elected representatives, village elders,schoolteachers, NGO workers, religious leaders, etc.Village Court: A court constituted under the provi-sions of the Village Court Ordinance, 1976. Any partyin a dispute may in the prescribed manner and payingthe prescribed fee, apply to the village court. The Chair-man of the Union Parishad constitutes a village courtfor the trial of a case. Apart from the chairman, eachparty nominates two members. It has no power of im-prisonment, but may order the accused to compen-sate the aggrieved, to an amount not exceeding takaTk. 25,000.


ASK at a Glance

RegistrationRegistrar of Joint Stock Companies and firms underSocieties Registration Act, 1860 since September 20,1986NGO Affairs Bureau under Foreign Donation RegulationOrdinance, 1978 on June 28, 1993.In special consultative status with UNECOSOC sinceJuly 31, 1998.

MembersFounding members: 9 (4 women and 5 men, 3deceased)General members: 25 (16 women and 9 men)Executive Committee members: 9 (5 women and 4men, 2 Founder Members and 7 General Members).

StaffTotal: 174 (including regular, under contract, full timeand part-time), Women: 113, Men: 61

Geographic CoverageASK activities cover all over Bangladesh.Its public in-terest litigation and its media campaigns make a na-tional impact. It carries out specific programmes at thegrass roots in partnership with NGOs in 40 unions of 10districts (4 unions of Sadar Upazilla of each district) topromote community activism for gender equity, socialjustice and human rights. ASK offers legal aid servicesin six legal aid clinics in Dhaka and in its office, whilethe principles and methodology of its legal aid has beenreplicated in 61 in rural clinics, which have been set upby BRAC with assistance from ASK.

Under the BRAC-ASK Joint Legal Aid ProgrammeASK has trained BRAC staff in para-legal work, basicfamily laws, so that they could address complaints oftheir women members, or refer these to a panel of law-yers. ASK monitors and supervises the cases.

ASK’s Investigaion programme covers all ofBangladesh. It has formed a human rights defendersforum to carry out local investigations in 10 districts.

Legal Aid Clinics in Dhaka: 6(1) Shah Ali Bagh, Mirpur; (2) Johnson Road; (3)Goran; (4) Kamrangichar; (5) Keraniganj and (6)Mohammadpur.

Drop-in Centres for Working Children: 7Mohammadpur: 1Goran: 1Bashabo: 1Mirpur: 2 (1 part time)Shantbag: 1Ekota (Johnson Road): 1

Drop-in Centres for full time Child DomesticWorkers: 9Kalabagan : 1 (Full time)Dhanmondi : 2 (Part time)Kalyanpur : 4 (Part time)Mohammadpur : 2 (Part time)

Partner NGOs: (10)Adarsha Shapla Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS),Naogaon SadarBandhan Society, Kishoreganj SadarGana Unnayan Kendra (GUK), Gaibandha SadarMukti Nari o Shishu Unnayan Shangstha, KushtiaSadar.Pabna Prostisruti (PP), Pabna SadarShabolomby Unnayan Samity (SUS), NetrakonaSadarSocial Association For Rural Advancement (SARA),Mymensingh SadarNational Development Council (NDC), JoypurhatSadarWelfare Efforts (WE), Jhenaidah SadarSirajganj Uttaran Mohila Shangstha (SUMS),Sirajganj Sadar

Schools : 30Khanjanpur Mission Girls High School, Joypurhat GirlsHigh School, Teghor High School, JoypurhatCentral Girls High School, P.M. Girls High School,Chok Enayet High School, NoagaonSadhinotar Rojot Joyonti Girls High School, NijamuddinHigh School, Tulshighat KashinathHigh School, GaibandhaVictoria High School, Sobuj Kanon High School, KoumiJute Mill High School, SirajganjKolokakoli Secondary School, Mohini MohonBiddyapith, Milpara Secondary School, KushtiaArjot Atorjan High School, Ajimuddin High School,Kishorganj Girls High School, KishorganjShisukunja School & College, Fojor Ali High School,Jhinaidah S.P. Secondary School, JhinaidahMymensing Laboratory High School, Premier IdealSchool, The Edward Institution, MymensingJahanara Smrity Girls High School, Rajur Bazar Col-legiate School, Krisnogobindo High School,NetrokonaJannat Bibi Jubily Girls High School, Central Girls HighSchool, Selim Najir High School, Pabna.

MNPs Manobadhikar Nattaya Parishad (MNP):10Joypurhat, Noagaon, Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Kushtia,Kishorganj, Jhinaidah, Mymensing, Netrokona,andPabna.

National NetworksBangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) was formedby 170 member organisations to campaign for theimplementation of the Child Rights Convention.Beijing plus Five for Women’s Rights was formed by alarge coalition of women’s organisations to implementthe Beijing Platform for Action, adopted by theGovernment of Bangladesh.Coalition for the Urban Poor (CUP) coordinatescampaigns for the right to shelter of slum dwellersand mobilises them to demand their rights.


Citizen’s Initiative on CEDAW , Bangladesh is a networkof 38 organisations which was formed in 2007 to pre-pare an alternative report to be submitted to theCEDAW committee in 2009. It also campaigns forimplementation of CEDAW.Citizen’s Initiatives to Address Domestic Violence is anetwork of about 40 organisations formed in 2007.Sramik Nirapotta Forum is a network of 14organisations concerned with workers’ safety at theworkplace. Formed after the collapse of the SpectrumSweater Industries building in Polashbari, Savar it hascampaigned for workers’ safety through the media, andfiled PILs to establish corporate responsibility forworkers’ deaths and injuries.Samajik Protirodh Committee is a network of 52women’s groups in Bangladesh formed to resistviolence against women by both state and non-stateactors, to campaign for participation of women in publicdecision-making and to resist the rise of religiousextremism. The Secretariat is located in theBangladesh Mahila Parishad.We Can End Violence against Women an internationalcampaign against domestic violence. Holds meetings,seminars, workshops and publishes materials onviolence against women and personal and collectivemeasures to prevent gender-based violence. ASK iscurrently Chair of the national campaign committee.

International NetworksAsia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development(APWLD) was formed after the Nairobi Conference.Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, APWLD networks withlegal and women’s rights organisations across Asiaand the Pacific to campaign for women’s rights, tocreate awareness of rights and to draftrecommendations for legal reform.End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and theTrafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes - ECPATInternational , based in Bangkok is the world’s largestNGO dedicated to fighting the commercial sexualexploitation of children. It has member NGOs in 70countries around the world.Forum Asia (FA) based in Bangkok, Thailand promoteshuman rights through training, education and awarenessof international standards for different constituencies.International Women’s Rights Action Watch (IWRAW)based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia promotes women’srights under CEDAW and other UN Conventions. Itsupports and trains organizations to prepare shadowreports for treaty bodies.Migrants’ Forum in Asia (MFA) based in Manila, raisesawareness about migrant workers’ rights and fairworking conditions and creates structures of support.ASK has submitted a report on conditions of migrantworkers from Bangladesh.South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) is a network ofhuman rights defenders and organizations based inSouth Asia. The secretariat is in Colombo.Women Living under Muslim Laws (WLUML) is aninternational solidarity network that has engaged withproblems faced by women in contending with Islamiclaws. ASK has prepared several documents on howsuch laws affect women’s lives in Bangladesh.

ASK’s Development

Political BackgroundBangladesh emerged as an independent state in 1971after a nine-month long war of liberation during whichthe Pakistan army, abetted by their local collabora-tors, perpetrated genocide, rape and crimes againsthumanity. The war was preceded by many years ofpopular struggle for socio-economic, political and cul-tural freedom. Popular movements had resisted fun-damentalism, communalism and military autocracyand promoted the ideals of a democratic, secular, plu-ralistic and tolerant society.

Three years after independence, the country cameunder a long spell of rule by the military, supported byforces that had worked against the independence ofBangladesh. They promoted sectarian politics. TheConstitution has been amended several times. Thenegative changes included the introduction of a oneparty state in 1974, replacement of the principle ofsecularism with “faith in Allah” in 1977 and declaringIslam the State religion in 1987. The State’s commit-ment to secularism and parliamentary democracy wasomitted. By 1990, a popular movement brought downthe military government and reverted the country to aparliamentary system. Three governments wereformed after elections. During this period, political con-frontation has made democratic institutions dysfunc-tional and political patronage has encouraged a lackof accountability, corruption and misuse of power.

Bangladesh as a party to the core UN treaties andconventions is obligated to ensure civil, political, so-cial, economic and cultural rights of its citizens. TheConstitution too has guaranteed fundamental rights.However, access to justice has been persistently de-nied through a culture of impunity either by ignoringthe constitutional directives, or by perverting the lawsand the Constitution. Its most ominous consequencesare evidenced in a deliberate demonstration of the lackof accountability on the part of those in power; and in-creasing sense of insecurity amongst citizens. Justicehas been denied because of impunity of violators andprotests against violations are not tolerated. Even ex-tra-judicial killings by both state and non-state actorsare justified as receiving popular support. In this envi-ronment citizens appear to withdraw from collectiveaction; they remain apathetic to wrongs or are unableto stand up for values. Instead, they narrow their con-cerns to the “self” and are not forthcoming in support ofothers who are subject to human rights abuses. Thus,human rights defenders and their organizations becomeisolated as they face the challenge to protect and pro-mote human rights.

The State often tends to act against the ‘whistle blow-ers’ rather than on the perpetrators. Human rights de-fenders are often accused of tarnishing the image of the


country. Therefore, the need to strengthen and protecthuman rights defenders has emerged as an importantissue at this juncture. This has put the work of humanrights defenders, including ASK and other human rightsorganizations under serious challenge, as the politicalenvironment undermines rule of law and becomes hos-tile to human rights defenders. Within and outside thelaw courts, ASK faces challenges in promoting values ofhuman rights and pluralism in an atmosphere of increas-ing political confrontation, intolerance and marginalisation.ASK has traced the root causes of human rights viola-tions in Bangladesh to confrontational politics, genderdiscrimination, communalism, ethnic and class inequal-ity, poverty and unemployment, corruption, lack of goodgovernance and accountability. ASK realizes that thereis no quick remedy to establishing human rights andgood governance, and that these values need to be af-firmed in relations within the family, and in the commu-nity and institutional structures of state need to promotehuman rights.

Organizational StructureAin o Salish Kendra (ASK), (literally, Law and Media-tion Centre), a legal aid and human rights organisation,was started in 1986 with the purpose of providing freelegal aid, particularly to women, workers and workingchildren, and to promote and protect human rights.Founded by nine individuals, including lawyers, pro-fessionals, social workers, development workers, itbegan life in a small garage, loaned by a supporter. In1989, ASK moved to a more central location. It hasconsultative status with UNECOSOC and continuesits commitment to promoting human rights within ademocratic framework. Its goal is to create a societybased on equality, social justice and the rule of lawwith a special focus on gender equality.

StrategiesASK’s strategies for the promotion and protection of rightsand justice have evolved dynamically in response to itsexperiences and aim to strengthen the defence of hu-man rights at the grass roots and by state institutions.These strategies can be identified as:

• Generating human rights awareness and activatingresponses against human rights violations (HRVs)

• Promoting community activism for gender equity andsocial justice

• Ensuring access to justice through legal aid• Providing emergency support service• Campaigning and advocacy for law and policy reforms• Ensuring transparency and accountability in public

institutions• Enhancing capacity of human right defenders• Ensuring an effective institutional systemThese strategies are implemented by 17 units and onecomponent. Independent programmes for awarenessraising, legal aid, social support and so on are carriedout by each unit, but the outcome of one programmeleads to activism or enables participants to take furthersteps. For example, knowledge of human rights aware-ness leads participants to seek legal aid or to build thecapacity of human rights defenders. The experiencegained through legal aid or with community voluntarygroups, enables ASK to identify issues for research,media campaigns and advocacy. Similarly monitoring ofhuman rights and documentation is useful in checkinghuman rights violations. Several units are clustered withthe aim of promoting particular strategies. Two units forHuman Rights Awareness and Gender and Social Jus-tice carry out activities to create community conscious-ness and facilitate activism, five units provide access tojustice and protection of rights. These are Mediation andRapid Response, Litigation, Outreach, Child Rights, Sup-port Service and Half Way Home Unit. Psycho-socialhelp is not yet an independent Unit, but is a componentof the Social Support Unit. Campaigns and advocacywithin the country and internationally are carried out bythree units e.g. Research, Communication, Legal Advo-cacy and Policy Reform, whereas the situation of hu-man rights is monitored and documented by two units,Investigation and Documentation Units. The Training unitoffers courses on human rights, legal rights, gender equal-ity, etc. Administration, Finance, Planning, Monitoringand Evaluation provide structural support to all units andevaluate their results and outcomes.


Foreword

The state of Emergency that was declared by the newcaretaker government taking over charge of the countryon January 11, 2007 in the face of challenges thrown bythe escalating confrontational political situation and thedeclaration of war by the government against corrup-tion, terrorism, confrontational politics, use of violencein order to create a level playing field for all politicalparties and alliances was hailed by everyone concerned,but it put a halt to all political and social activism in-cluding human rights. As a matter of fact, people werevery happy to see some of the institutions like the EC,the ACC, the PSC reformed, separation of the judiciaryfrom the executive and the announcement of the estab-lishment of the National Human Rights Commission.But suspension of all fundamental human rights underthe prolonged emergency rule created problems in thejustice delivery system. The processes, open and be-hind the scene, followed by the Government to cleansethe political atmosphere, which unfortunately can notbe said to have been absolutely transparent, raisedserious questions in the minds of the people as to theintention of the army backed Government. Many of thearrests made were arbitrary without following the dueprocess, some were rather unnecessary as it seemstoday and some of the arrests made and suppressiveactions and torture in custody were seen as clearly aviolation of human rights. The arrests and torture of theuniversity teachers can be cited as clear examples. Itsoon seemed as if the present caretaker governmenthave merely replaced the political governments who weremainly discredited for their lack of sense of account-ability and transparency in dealing with crimes relatedto corruption, abuse of power and human rights, nepo-tism and extortionist culture by abusing power. Not onlythat, the very actions against corruption and violencetaken by the Caretaker Government itself reversed reck-lessly and whimsically giving people enough reason tofeel that the Government has lost its direction. Some ofthe genuinely accused, taking advantage of the situa-tion are complaining of political victimization. Even thoughpeople appreciated the initiatives taken by the Govern-ment to offer the nation a free and fair election, its movesto make compromises with certain quarters resulted insliding down of the popularity and trust it had enjoyed

in the beginning. It also contributed in the creation of anatmosphere of uncertainty and fear of returning to thesame culture of impunity that had existed before 11thJanuary. Needless to say, this situation led to a feelingof disappointment in the minds of the religious minori-ties, the CHT hill people, the ethnic minorities of theplain who were hoping to see some improvement intheir life as far as their land and property rights are con-cerned. Women e waiting to get equal rights in theirprivate life and an end to violence against them failed torecover the women’s development policy. The prospectof the Domestic Violence Act seems rather bleak. Thepolice reform did not take place in time for the people tofind a friendly force in them nor did the office of theOmbudsman see daylight. Treatment of the religiousfundamentalists and the war criminals was far from whatwas expected, extra-judicial killing did not stop, slumdwellers and hawkers were evicted defying court or-ders, jute mills were closed down one after the otherwithout paying the due compensation to the workersand as has been said earlier arbitrary arrests and tor-ture in custody was practiced as usual. The only silverlining perhaps is to be seen in the increased conscious-ness of the citizens about the political situation, whichhopefully they will use judiciously in the next election.Amidst all these, ASK, as reflected in this report, con-tinued with its planned programmes and carried out itsrepresentational responsibilities with vigour and tirelessefforts to create an enabling environment for the disen-franchised to claim rights. It contributed and gave in-puts to keep up the spirit of all ASK’s colleagues inhuman rights and access to justice activism to lookforward and create a better future for all. I thank all mycolleagues in ASK, in the networks, honourable Ex-ecutive Committee and General Members and theConsortium Partners for being with each other and thesolidarity and support given to ASK to accomplish ameaningful year in meeting the challenges in a condi-tion of hope, expectation, fear and disappointmentaccentuated by the state of emergency.

Sultana KamalExecutive Director


Programmes and Activities

Human rights awarenessOne of ASK’s major strategies has been to createawareness of human rights, in order to generate ademand for rights and entitlements within the com-munity and to make state institutions and duty bear-ers responsible for promotion, protection and preven-tion of human rights. A wide range of persons from thegrass roots to state level institutions is included inASK’s awareness raising programmes.

Theatre is an important medium for creating aware-ness, stirring public conscience and encouraging a dis-course on human rights concerns. The HR Unit worksintensively in local communities with youth, studentsand cultural activists. The Unit mobilizes local volunteergroups to form human rights theatre teams; they per-form issue based plays on human rights violations intheir area of work, and take action to promote and pro-tect human rights. This has resulted in the formation ofvolunteer groups amongst secondary school studentsknown as Biddaloy Nattya Dol (BNAD) and amongstthe youth such as Manabadhikar Nattya Parishad.

Biddalaya Nattya Dol (BNAD) has been formedwith students in 30 secondary schools after a six-dayresidential course on human rights and gender rela-tions conducted by the HRA Unit. The Unit staff con-sulted with teachers and students in ten working ar-eas to select these teams. They learnt to perform dra-mas, publish wall magazines, participate in debates

and cultural competition, celebrate significant days andattend study circles. One Guide Teacher (GT) wasselected in each school to supervise the work of theBNAD. The Guide Teachers were trained in perform-ing theatre, human rights, gender and family laws.Thirty BNADs have been performing issue-based dra-mas regularly on human rights and gender issuesamongst secondary school students.

Manabadhikar Nattya ParishadA unit staff with the help of local cultural activists iden-tifies volunteer activist groups interested in forming anUMNP and trains them in performing action theatre.They also learn about legal and human rights and gen-der discrimination. Local activists learn about practi-cal steps to deter human rights violations, and partici-pate in village shalishes. In 2007, five new MNPs wereformed and 45 MNPs were reconstituted at their councilmeetings. They performed issue-based dramas regu-larly in their working areas. Each year at least 25people were trained at a residential training programme.Local Facilitators were selected from amongst thegroups who then trained more theatre activists inde-pendently in the working area.

As the union level theatre groups increased innumber, they decided to federate into UzMNP at theupazilla and district level. The formation of Upazila MNPhas made the UMNP’s activities more visible at thedistrict level, involved youth in social activism, and in


many places were able to generate some local funds.The UzMNP organized events on a large scale andpublished printed literature and calendars. They alsosupervised union level MNPs and participated in lob-bying for human rights cases with the local policeofficers, lawyers and journalists.

All UzMNPs were functioning more independentlyand the MNPs have interacted with local cultural or-ganizations as well as with the BNAD in secondaryschools; this has enhanced their acceptance as the-atre organisations in the locality. In some places, the-atre workers use their own funds to continue and ex-pand their programme. Progress is monitored atmonthly meetings held between UzMNP, LCO andan ASK representative. The HRA Unit Coordinator/Deputy Director monitors the process by attendingsome of the meetings.

Formation of local theatre teamsA series of steps are followed in the preparation oftheatre teams, production of plays and building pub-lic awareness.

The Unit holds workshops with local volunteergroups to discuss legal/human rights and gender re-lations. The participants develop leadership skills,learn to perform issue-based dramas, and gain prac-tical information on how to file complaints, obtainmedical reports as supplementary evidence, to as-sist survivors during their trial, where and how to ac-cess legal aid and funding for legal aid. The Unit hasalso organised Drama Production workshops in co-operation with Local Cultural Organisations (LCOs)and cooperated with similar local initiatives.

Theatre ProductionASK’s theatre activists show theatre groups how toidentify human rights concerns in the community, howto develop a story line that illustrates the social, eco-nomic, political causes of discrimination. The playsprovoke discussions on how power dynamics affectlaw and human rights. Each Theatre Activist conducts2-4 workshops every year.

Workshop on Issue-based Drama Production byLocal Facilitator (LF)A panel of Local Facilitators is formed from amongstthe UMNP jointly by ASK and UzMNP so that theycan train others in performing issue based plays. Thisis to reduce the dependency of the MNPs on ASK.Approximately 15-20 members from each UMNP par-ticipated in a workshop supervised by ASK andUzMNP. In 2007, 30 MNP members trained as LocalFacilitators conducted 86 workshops for 50 UMNPsand produced 160 plays on different issues like politi-cal terrorism, police torture, rape, dowry, etc.

The group dramatizes a specific case and leavesit open ended for the audience to discuss human

rights implications and alternative solutions. Sometimesthe drama triggers debates that last for hours in localtea stalls, bazaars and other gatherings. Each teamusually performs two issue-based dramas per month.

Cultural EventsMNPs hold cultural events to commemorate significantnational and international days related to human rights,which attract a large number of people. The purpose isto create tolerance for cultural and political diversityand to enhance commitments to human rights anddemocratic values.

Annual HR Theatre FestivalsUzMNPs organize Annual Human Rights Theatre Fes-tivals at the district level every year to mark HumanRights’ Day. The UMNPs and other local cultural orga-nizations take part in festivals of drama, songs, danceetc. The MNPs organized 10 district level Annual Hu-man Rights Theatre festivals in 2007. These activitieshave served to widen the human rights constituencyand deepen the capacity of the participants to promotehuman rights and democratic practice. The perfor-mances as well as other cultural events were attendedby a wide section of villagers who then engaged inlengthy discussions on the themes projected in thevillage communities.

National conference of HR Theatre Activists80 theatre activists attended the National Human RightsTheatre Activists’ Conference in Dhaka, which was ad-dressed by eminent Writers, Journalists, Lawyers, HRdefenders, Economists, Cultural Activists and Genderspecialists. Grass root level Theatre Activists got thelatest information on socio- economic and political is-sues and at the same time, they used the opportunityto elicit and exchange their working experiences in thenational level.


Community Activism for Gender Equityand Social JusticeGender and Social Justice (GSJ) Unit promotes con-cepts of gender equality and human rights in the fam-ily, community and state institutions by holding work-shops with elected representatives, officials, and mem-bers of the community, both men and women. Thepurpose is to mobilize community activism for genderand social justice.MSP, MNS and MAP :The Unit has been instrumen-tal in developing and sustaining Community BasedOrganisations (CBOs) that promote and protect hu-man rights. Significant among these are ManobadhikarSangrakkhan Parishad (MSP) and Manobadhikar NariSamaj (MNS) both operating at the union level. TheUnit has assisted in the formation of ManobadhikarAinjibi Parishad (MAP), a federation of lawyers in thedistrict, who offer legal advice and voluntary servicesto the disenfranchised. These CBOs monitor incidentsof domestic violence, fatwa-instigated violence, childmarriage, custodial violence and other violations anddemand deterrent action by concerned authorities. Asa result, members of the community have raised de-mands for justice, good governance and elimination ofdiscrimination. At least 40,000 members of CBOs,PNGOs, MNS and MAP (almost 23,000 women and17,000 men) participated in meetings on eliminationof discrimination against women. One CBO of Sirajganjwas registered with the Department of Social Welfare.

In 40 Unions almost 2600 MSP and MNS mem-bers are playing proactive role to protest and preventHRV; they collect information on rights violations, takethe victims to thana, hospitals, lawyers, court, orga-nize rally, submit memoranda and issue press releaseswhenever any violation of human rights occurs and con-duct/ attend shalish on the issues which can behandled through shalish . From January to December2007, 259 incidents were reported by CBOS, 91 vic-tims were taken to thana, hospital and courts; MSPand MSN members attended 243 shalishes, held 6workshops with the Department of Social Welfare, 10workshops with UNO, 20 workshops with UP for thepurpose of registration of CBOs, at pressured govern-ment to activate Village Court, set in motion the Arbi-tration Council, organized 90 Legal camps for the poorwhere 1092 men and 1433 women received legal as-sistance in different complaints and helped to file 64cases under Government Legal Aid Funds. Women’sGroup held 10 workshops with the Shalishkers in theunion.

MNS members held ten workshops with shalishkersin 40 unions to sensitize them to women’s rights andgender justice. 40 MNS groups participated in or ob-served shalishes, and met with the Directorate ofWomen Affairs. They took action in 48 cases of do-

mestic violence, by escorting victims to police thanas,hospitals and lawyers, etc. Participation of women hasincreased substantially as a result of these activities.

When MSP receive a compliant its members ar-range shalish after sending notices, arranging the placeetc. The MSP members try to settle the matter amica-bly. They keep all the documents and record the deci-sion in a stamped matter which is signed by both par-ties. They follow up the cases.

MAP member lawyers have enhanced their skillsby participating in meetings, workshops and trainings.They have extended their voluntary support in casesof violence against women to those who cannot affordcourt expenses. MAP is now functioning as an inde-pendent organization giving voluntary support to thecommunity. MAP organized nine workshops with mem-bers of the Government Legal Aid Committee. Theyattended 90 Legal Aid Camps organised by the MSPand MNS, where they were able to give legal advice to1092 men and 1433 women. MAP lawyers filed 64cases under GLAF on behalf of 5 men and 59 women.PNGOs documented and followed up HRVs and othercrimes every month; they also monitored and reportedon actions taken by MSP, MNP and MAP; they held20 workshops, eleven meetings, 21 network meetingsand organised one training on Human Rights, RightsBased Approach, Good Governance, Women’s Rightsand current political concerns such as EmergencyPowers Ordinance, Independence of Judiciary, etc.

Case StudyA GSJ participant becomes a shalisker

A shalish is a common form of mediation in rural Bangladesh,particularly in conflicts relating to land and family disputes. It ispreferred because of its low cost, and proximity. However, shalishis not without problems. First, members of the local elite such asUP Chairmen and Imams usually dominate it. The poor and espe-cially women have practically no say at a shalish. Often theshalishkars do not seek mediation between the two parties buttake arbitrary decisions. These decisions are not always fair anddecisions do not always conform to Bangladeshi law. Thatmeans, traditional shalish may decide to inflict physical punish-ment in a complaint of extra marital relationship, hilla marriage,ostracising of women, etc.Shamsuzzaman, or Zaman Bhai as everyone calls him, is now awell-known shalishkar in Kushtia. Twice a month, Zaman con-ducts shalish at his house. It is to be mentioned that he gives oneroom to MSP for official purpose. Zaman used to be a construc-tion worker. He joined an elementary course run by the Genderand Social Justice Unit in family law and human rights in Kushtia.In his office, he is available seven days a week. At each shalishhe settles three to five cases. Usually, it takes two to threesittings to settle a case. Since 2004, he has kept a record of allcases. Zaman is often heavily criticised for his work. People thinkthat he receives money from NGOs or even bribes. Sometimeshe faces threats. The JMB once wrote to him that they appreciatehis work for the poor, but that he should stop women fromspeaking in public. “One bomb will be enough for me,” Zamanquotes the letter, laughing uncomfortably. Nevertheless, threatsdo not deter him. Zaman continues offering justice to the poor.


Mediation and Rapid ResponseIn Bangladesh, women prefer to settle family disputesthrough mediation, because the formal judicial sys-tem is time-consuming, expensive, and reported to becorrupt and biased particularly when it concernswomen’s issues. Since 1992, legal aid services havebeen provided at the ASK office and at six on-site clin-ics in Mirpur, Goran, Johnson Road, Kamrangirchar,Mohammadpur, and Keraniganj in Dhaka and some-times outside Dhaka. Mediation and Rapid ResponseUnit (MRRU), as the name suggests, negotiates settle-ments amongst disputants and addresses emergen-cies. Complaints are brought by clients physically toASK lawyers, who provide legal advice or mediatefamily disputes. After the terms of the settlement areagreed upon by both parties, they are recorded andsigned by the parties concerned. The woman client isvisited by the Unit’s field workers to ensure that thesettlement is not broken. If the complaint refers to acognizable offence, the matter is sent to the LitigationUnit.

From September 2006, the Mediation Unit hasstarted giving legal assistance to women inmates inthe Government Shelter Home. The Social Welfare De-partment in response to an appeal from ASK has madethe client release procedure at government sheltersmore flexible and friendly to women and children. Ithas circulated a notification on release procedures,which is being practiced now. This can be the firststep towards repeal of the Vagrancy Act.

The Unit’s Rapid Response to emergencies hasbeen an effective method to rescue victims of HR vio-lations. Sometimes the Unit responds to incidents ofviolence on women reports that are reported in dailynewspapers and at other times to requests from cli-ents or different organisations.• 2,406 requests for legal advice/assistance were

submitted by clients physically or by telephone,email and letters. This was 60% higher than in pre-vious years. ASK responded to 69% of these re-quests.

• By December 2007, ASK dealt with 2,892 com-plaints in which 1,510 were registered in 2007 and

1,382 complaints carried over from the previousyears. After taking proper steps 863 complaintswere closed. Efforts were made to solve about 97%complaints by mediation out of court and only 3%were brought to court in cases of violence.

• The Unit responded to 337 requests for urgent helpagainst HRV at district level.

• In 2007, a total number of 350 inmates were re-leased from the Government Shelter home in Mirpurunder a partnership project between ASK and Con-cern World Wide. ASK’s responsibility was to pro-vide legal representation for the inmates arrestedunder the Vagrancy Act and for proper implemen-tation of the Vagrancy Act.

Case StudyLegal Action against Punishment of Women

After reading a report in the Ittefaq ASK sent a three-memberteam from the MMRU and Investigation Units to investigate andcollect information about a punishment of a woman in Panchbibiof Jaipurhat district. The victim, her family and the secretary ofthe community police told ASK that an order had been issuedagainst Salma Begum (not her real name) and her brother-in-law because the husband saw the latter talking to her in theyard and saw the brother-in-law touching Salma’s hand. Hebecame angry, abused her and submitted a written complaintto the community police. At a mediation arranged with UP mem-bers, they decided to beat Salma’s brother- in- law and thatSalma should not be allowed to go back to her husband’shouse until the Principal of a Madrassa issued a fatwa. Theysaid it was a sin for the brother-in-law to touch Salma’s handand only the principal could decide whether Salma’s conjugallife should continue.MRRU contracted the SP, IGP and urged them to take legalinitiative. The High Court Division of the Supreme Court in 2000had given a rule declaring that fatwas, instigating violence orordering hilla marriage were illegal. After ASK’s intervention,the local Thana investigated the matter and took praiseworthyaction. Salma went back to her husband and ASK has contin-ued to monitor that she is not mistreated.

LitigationThe Litigation Unit receives complaints of cognizableoffences such as rape, murder, torture, acid-burns,dowry, polygamy, detention, civil revision, criminal ap-peal, or of human rights violations. Unit staff lawyersand panel lawyers have conducted these cases incourts both in and outside Dhaka. The Litigation Unithas facilitated women’s access to the courts, espe-cially in family disputes relating to dower, maintenance,guardianship, divorce, etc. Many of its cases havesucceeded in providing protection and security to anumber of women and children. The recovery of dowerand maintenance money through the courts has en-abled the women to invest in self-employment schemesthat have made them self-reliant. The Unit has filedworkers’ rights cases in court.• The Unit filed 200 cases during the year and the

Four units (Mediation and Rapid Response, Litigation,Outreach and Child Rights Units) have adopted an in-terconnected and coordinated approach to provideaccess to justice. This extends from legal support tosocio-economic support and counselling. ASK’s legalsupport system set up in Dhaka is replicated now invillages by ASK’s partner NGOs such as BRAC.Women, workers and working children have gainedaccess to both the formal (court) and informal (shalish)systems of justice.

Access to Justice


lawyers conducted 404 (125% of target) cases fromprevious year. Besides, this year they filed five casesoutside Dhaka;

• By December 2007, the organization disposed 118cases (76% disposed in favour of clients, 15%cases in default of clients and 9% cases not infavour of clients); a total number of 164 personswere freed from jail and safe custody which was anincrease of 37% over the previous year.;

• Lawyers recovered taka 1,572,728.0 as dower andmaintenance on behalf of clients through the court.Of these, 76% were disposed in favour of clients,15% cases disposed in default of clients and 9%cases disposed against clients.

• Litigation Unit filed 3% serious human rights viola-tion matters in court, 97% of which were receivedfrom the MRRU;

• It provided shelter to six clients in ASKs HWH;

Case StudyLawyers assist prosecution in an electionvendetta violence case

Arnab Das alias Babu (9 years), was the only son of BimolDas, of village Saihiti, PS- Kaliganj, District- Satkhira. His fatherwas a candidate in the local School Managing Committee Elec-tion and his paternal uncle contested in the election for UnionParishad Chairman. The accused party competed in both elec-tions. They lost to Arnab’s father in the election of the schoolmanaging committee and were looking for a chance to takerevenge.On 18 June 2000 accused number 1 kidnapped Arnab andafter three days Arnab’s corpse was found in a canal, 200yards away from his home. Arnab’s paternal uncle lodged anFIR at Kaliganj thana on 21 June, 2000. ASK learnt about theincident through its Investigation Unit and newspaper report.The Litigation Unit lawyers went to Satkhira to assist the pros-ecution during the hearings. Charge was framed under sec-tion 34/120/(B)/201/302/364 of Penal Code 1860. The investi-gation officer submitted the charge sheet on 2 July 2001 againsteight accused. The judgment given on 28 November 2007 sen-tenced the two accused to death by hanging, four were sen-tenced for life and two others were acquitted.

Case studyLawyers Appeal to Court for release of Juvenile ar-rested on suspicion

Md. Arif (17 years), son of Nurul Haque, residing in Hazaribag,Dhaka was arrested by the police without any specific com-plaint against him and only on apprehension of a future offence.Initially, his arrest was recorded in General Diary (no 479) ofPolice Station. Later on, he was shown arrested under severalcharges. After hearing the case, he was sent to jail. Arif’s fathersought legal assistance from ASK on the ground that his sonwas falsely accused and was unable to bear court expenses.The Litigation Unit filed an appeal in the Court to ensure juvenilejustice for Arif. He was then released on bail and his case ispending.

OutreachThe Outreach Unit has been able to extend its legalaid activities to districts through partnership with like-minded local NGOs. The ASK-BRAC joint legal aidprogramme has provided access to justice formarginalised rural people; it has created greater pub-lic awareness on human rights, and persuaded deci-sion makers, such as elected local representatives,journalists, professionals and community leaders tosupport legal and human rights.

The methodology of ASK’s legal aid services offeredin Dhaka have been replicated through its OutreachProgramme (BRAC-ASK Joint Legal Aid Programme) in61 districts. ASK has developed the capacity of BRAC’sstaff through training, workshops on laws, human rights,gender, mediation and advocacy to sensitize them tohuman rights lawyering. Outreach unit has also inter-acted with local Bar Association members and judgesabout legal aid programme and procedures, and to moti-vate them for speedy and effective remedies. The Unithas established a strong working relationship with localadministration, police officials, DCs, Magistrates, assis-tant and public prosecutors, media, NGOs, etc. througha series of dialogues on the issues of gender discrimina-tion, lack of justice, class discrimination, lack of educa-tion, poverty, drug addiction, misinterpretation of religiousrules.In 2007, the Unit arranged• Three workshops on Gender, Legal Aid and Human

Rights for 113 (Women: 25 & Male: 88) of BRACpanel lawyers;

• Two training courses to upgrade the capacity of allBRAC staff lawyers on Gender Relation Analysis,Human Rights, Law and Policy Reform, EffectiveCommunication and Investigation;

• Twenty four workshops with local bar associationsmembers and judges on issues relevant to theBRAC Legal Aid programme;

• Twenty four workshops to increase coordination withmembers of the local administration i.e. police offi-


cials, D.C, Magistrates, public prosecutors, mediaand local NGOs;

• The Unit responded to 337 requests for urgent helpagainst HRV in districts.

Case StudyRapid response in complaint of attempted rape

In Kabirajpara, Khutamara Union, Jaldhaka Thana, Nilphamaridistrict on March 23, 2008 Popy went to a waaz mahfil (reli-gious gathering) with her mother and grandmother. She waslured by Hobibur Rahman (Hobi) (35 years) to the riverside; heattempted to rape her, and threw her on the ground. As sheinjured her right leg, Popy fainted and Hobi fled the scene. TheOutreach Unit, after hearing the report at ASK’s Daily ActionMeeting informed the Nilphamari BRAC staff, who rescued Popyand filed a case at the thana [case no-19. Sec: 9(4) under theNari o Shishu Narjaton Domon Ain, 2000 (amended in 2003).Popy was admitted to a hospital and her medical test reportwas collected. Counselling was provided to Popy and her fam-ily. The Unit also instructed a panel lawyer to assist the publicprosecutors under the BRAC Legal Aid Programme.

Child RightsGiven the preponderance of child labour in Bangladesh,ASK in the nineties documented the lives of childrenworking in nine different occupations and published thefindings in a volume titled Where Children are Adults.The needs identified in the research were translated intoan action programme called HELP (which stood for health,education and legal protection to working children). TheChild Rights Unit has developed a flexible system of non-formal education in drop-in-centres to enable working chil-dren to access their rights. The Child Rights Unit pro-vided health and legal support to 1600 working children.Access of working children to services and opportunitiesfor health and education was expanded.

Case StudyProtection of domestic workers

Lily Akter (12) and Rubina Akter (13) started working as do-mestic help at the age of 5 years. They worked 4/5 hours daily,and shared a room in a slum with their village neighbours.During field work ASK’s community liaison officer registeredthem at ASK’s Drop in Centre, which they attended regularly.After completion of the one-year literacy course, they wereadmitted to a mainstream school. They were doing very well atthe school, but they faced other problems. On their way toschool, they were teased and harassed by teenage boys.When they refused to marry the slum gangs, the latter threat-ened them. Lily and Rubina stopped going to school. Afterlearning about their situation, the Child Rights’ educator-liaisonofficer consulted the Legal Aid Unit, who talked to the gangand tried to explain to them that this would be an offence andthey would be liable to punishment. Although the gang prom-ised the lawyers not to disturb the girls, they continued toharass them after a few days. The Legal Aid Unit filed aGeneral Diary (GD) at the police station against them, and tookthe girls to the Half Way Home for temporary shelter. Theywere then admitted to the Sufia Kamal Girls Home where theycould continue their studies up to SSC level free of cost.

ASK sensitized many communities to the need forprotection of the rights of the child. It also made themaware about negative consequences of child labour. Itarranged 40 meetings with local representatives andcommunity members, where discussions were held oncommunity responsibilities for working children. Thisled to formation of active employers and parents groupsin the community. Child rights unit also introduced aprogramme for full time child domestic workers. For thepast 5 years, we have been working to protect themfrom abuse and exploitation. Many other NGOS arealso doing the same work.

In response to demands from the local Govern-ment and families with poor resources, the unit hasstarted a new programme in Mymensingh Sadar toprovide support to children under risk through educa-tion, vocational training and advocacy with local Gov-ernment. The purpose is to create opportunities forthem locally so that they do not migrate to cities andenter into risky occupation such domestic work.

The Child Rights Unit participated in theGovernment’s consultation on formulation of a NationalChild Labour Policy. A Code of Conduct to be observedby employers of children in the informal labour sectorwas included in the Policy.

Emergency support service system establishedASK established an emergency support system to pro-vide shelter and protection to survivors of violence, par-ticularly women and children during court proceedings.Clients who are unable to return to their own commu-nity because of fear of recurrent violence or socialstigma, need long-term shelter and psycho-social coun-selling. They also need to develop their skills to copewith the new reality. In ASK’s Half Way Home clientsusually can stay for 10-15 days and in the meantimeASK arranges long term shelter for them and referesthem to other networking partners for further develop-ment and follow up them regularly. But if a client’s se-curity cannot be ensured in any other networking orga-nization or shelter home, ASK allows them stay up tosix months to one year with special permission.

ASK has invited a number of social workers toform a voluntary committee in support of the ASK Half-way Home. The Committee members have visited theHome regularly in 2007. At these visits, members dis-cussed clients’ concerns and problems, so that theycould suggest remedial action. One member also ar-ranged an in-house picnic for the residents of HalfwayHome this year. At least 30 per cent of legal aid seek-ers are provided with shelter, medical help and coun-selling. ASK maintains liaison with clients even after ashalish to ensure that the agreement is observed byboth parties.


Support Service and Half Way Home arrange ori-entation for ASK’s clients and staff of partner NGOson family laws, women’s rights, violence againstwomen. This is to help them understand their rightunder the law, reasons to develop due to legal proce-dures and ASK’s mediation and litigation process.

Through its psycho-social help component, ASKhas broken new ground in demonstrating survivor as-sistance and rehabilitation that mental well being isjust as important as physical health. Psycho-socialcounselling was provided by certified/trained ASK staffto 127 clients during the year.

If the clients are able to continue the counselling,they are able to retrive their emotional stress and tocope with her situation. Since 1998, ASK has arrangedcourses in Certified Professional Development in Coun-selling and created a team of professional counsellorsin the country. Qualified experts from other countrieswere invited to conduct the courses. 59 professionalsparticipated this year. ASK also organised Basic Coun-selling training/orientation for 196 participants for itsown staff and staff from different organisations, includ-ing ASD, Rajarbag High School, BRAC, Polli Sree,Care Bangladesh, etc. Five organisations (ACD,Rajarbag High School, BRAC, Care Bangladesh, PalliSree) requested ASK for training on “Basic counsel-ling”.

The Unit holds awareness raising programmes forthe clients, community & NGO group members onfamily law, violence against women and child rights. Itmeets with clients every month to inform them of theprogress on their cases and reasons for delay. Clientsare encouraged to seek psycho-social help from ASK’scounsellors.In 2007,• Direct support was provided to 546 clients among

the registered legal aid seekers.• Awareness raising courses and client workshops

were arranged for 533 clients, and liaison was main-tained with them.

• Counselling help was given to 127 clients and 28clients got relief from mental and emotional dis-tress.

• 59 participants received training in counselling givenby local and foreign experts.

• 196 (ASK staff and staff from other organizations)were given basic orientation in counselling.

• There were 40 regular members of ASK’s counsel-lors/ helpers’ association.

Advocacy for Law and Policy ReformASK’s campaigns and advocacy for law and policyreform to promote, prevent and protect human rightsof all irrespective of class, caste, sex, religion, lan-guage, age, marital orientation have been carried outthrough:(a) Research to identify the gaps between the law andits implementation (Research Unit)(b) Publications, periodicals and commissioned articlesin the print media to mobilise public opinion and stimu-late discussions on the need for new laws, amend-ments or policy reform (Publication and Communica-tion Unit)(c) Legal advocacy through public interest litigation orlobbying with policy makers (Legal Advocacy andPolicy Reform Unit)(d) Advocacy initiatives using the mass media (printand electronic), alternative media (website, blogs) andengaging with international forums (Media and Inter-national Advocacy Unit)

ResearchHuman Rights in Bangladesh 2006 publishedChapters on Legislative and Institutional Developments,Judicial Developments on Fundamental Rights, Rightto Life, Right to Freedom from Torture and other Cruel,Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Rightto Liberty, Freedom of the Press and Information, Rightto Prisoners, Right to Food, Right to Shelter, Work-ers’ Rights, The Status of Religious Minorities,Women’s Rights, Rights of the Adibashis, Rights ofthe Socially Excluded, Child Protection and ChildRights, Current Status and Challenges and Rights ofthe Differently Abled. Based on information collectedfrom official documents, court judgments and news-papers, each chapter identifies the nature of violationsand interventions by the state and society as well asthe state’s obligations in protecting and promoting re-spective rights.Research papers on “Assessment of needs for an Adop-tion Law”: The Research Unit prepared a position pa-per to clarify the legal position regarding adoption. InBangladesh the absence of a law on adoption has cre-ated complications since there is now a degree of in-terest in adoption.

Other ongoing Research Initiatives included a re-view of existing laws, rules, regulations and practicesregarding HIV/AIDS with the purpose of making spe-cific recommendations for inclusion into the NationalHIV Policy. Research Unit a project with UNAIDS anda compilation of judgments on fundamental rights pre-pared for a joint Project with D.Net.Book Launching: The Research Unit organized twobook launching programmes on two different publica-tions which were, Human Development in South Asia


2005 by Mahbub-Ul-Haque, Human Development Cen-tre, Pakistan and Summary Human Rights Report2006.Study Circles on issues related to policy advocacy or ofcurrent concern: During the reporting period, the Re-search Unit arranged and facilitated five study circlesto share research findings on pure drinking water, HIV/AIDs, Medical Negligence and Adoption Law, etc. Italso facilitated a study circle on the critical humanrights situation in Sudan.The research findings were shared at study circles,through write-ups in ASK Bulletin and articles innational newspapers.Human Rights Report: ASK has published an annualreport on the situation of human rights in Bangladeshsince 1996. It has been an important source of infor-mation for researchers, academics, policy makers andactivists. This year a summary report was published(Human Rights in Bangladesh 2006) with contributionfrom different units and individual writers.

Publications and CommunicationASK’s publications have raised issues of public inter-est, particularly relating to rule of law, democracy andhuman rights. Through its publications, ASK has raiseddiscussions on good governance, non-discriminationand social justice.

Bulletin is a regular publication that focuses oncontemporary law and policy issues. Four issues werepublished during the year, the total print number being23,000 copies. Cover story of the March issue was onthe trial of war criminals in the liberation war ofBangladesh in 1971. Other issues covered includedseparation of the judiciary, slum eviction, constructingEcopark in Madhupur, Tangail forest areas, womenhuman right’s defenders etc. In the June issue, thecover story was on political reforms in Bangladesh.Other issues were electoral reforms, bail under emer-gency ordinance, analysis on some proposed laws,regulations for public and autonomous universities,police reform, Anti-corruption Commission, jute sec-tor and workers agitation in Khalishpur jute mill area,hilla marriage, translation of an open letter of Ameri-can anti-war spokesperson Cindy Sheehan, universalperiodic review system of HRC, convention on personswith disabilities and forced disappearance. In the Sep-tember issue, the cover story was on jute sector ofBangladesh. Other issues covered were proposed leg-islation for public universities, Bangobondhu SheikhMujibur Rahman murder case, proposed coal policy,floods in 2007, CEDAW, Pakistan crisis etc. In the De-cember issue the lead story was on Gono Adalat, 1992(People’s tribunal for the trial of the war criminals of1971). Other issues included separation of the judiciary,proposed domestic violence act, refugee laws, SIDR,Nandigram crisis in West Bengal, India, etc.

Publications: Juddhaporadh (war crimes) a compila-tion of analytical papers, investigation reports, testi-monies was a useful addition to the literature on warcrimes committed in 1971. In response to demand,the second edition of Bangladeshe Jongi Totporota oTar Bichar (An account of Militancy in Bangladesh andthe trial) was also published.Newspaper articles: Twenty articles written by ASKstaff on legal analysis, policy reform, women’s con-cerns, war crimes, separation of judiciary, jute sector,women human rights defenders, UPR, farmers’ rights,National Human Rights Commission, garment work-ers’ rights, convention on disabilities and political re-forms, were published in national newspapers.Discussion : Meetings/study circles were held with jour-nalists/bulletin readers/law students/lawyers in Dhakaand outside to get a feed back on issues raised in theBulletin, and to identify potential contributors. Threemeetings were held one each with members of LawReview - forum of the law students of Dhaka Univer-sity, the second in Netrakona and the third inChittagong. The last two meetings were attended bylaw students, journalists and NGO staff, lawyers andmembers of local community organizations.

Media & International AdvocacyMedia advocacy is a very important tool to generateopinion regarding the need for law and policy reform.Campaigns include press releases, press conferences,dissemination on the website. This year media advo-cacy included:Issuing Press releases: Thirty-three press releaseswere issued on diverse issues, such as extra judicialkillings, death in military custody, trial of war criminals,communalism and fundamentalism, excessive use ofexecutive power, workers’ rights, arbitrary arrests, un-lawful eviction, international human rights day, etc.Press Conference on the draft ordinance of the na-tional human rights commission 2007 at which a spe-cific recommendations were put forward to make theHuman Rights Commission an independent and ef-fective institution.Website: The existing ASK website was redesigned,the outline drafted and information updated.International Advocacy: ASK used consultative statuswith UNECOSOC to disseminate information relatingto rights in Bangladesh, liaising with the UN Missionin Geneva and endorsing different memorandums ad-dressed to UN bodies. It arranged a meeting with DrDebopriya Bhattacharjya, the Permanent Represen-tative at the UN Mission in Geneva to which manyhuman rights organisations were invited to discuss mo-dalities of communication between the Mission andhuman rights groups in Bangladesh. The Unit prepared background papers to enableASK to endorse the Joint Statement of Asian Human


Rights Defenders on Darfur to the Fourth Session ofthe UN Human Rights Council meeting on 27 March,2007, the joint oral statement on VAW to the FourthSession of the UN Human Rights Council on 22 March2008, and the Asian NGO position paper on institu-tion building, for the UN Human Rights Council on 16March, 2008.

Advocacy for Law and Policy ReformMulti-faceted advocacy is carried out through filing ofpublic interest litigation, policy campaigns, and memo-randums to national and international agencies. Thisis based on material and data collection and research.Law and policy review: Legal Advocacy and PolicyReform Unit reviewed the proposed draft on BangladeshPolice Ordinance 2007 and provided the concernedauthority with recommendations. The Unit reviewed theproposed draft on a Domestic Violence Bill and sub-mitted its recommendations.Material and Data Collection: Legal Advocacy and PolicyReform Unit accompanied Investigation Unit to collectinformation and relevant papers on the following inci-dents:

Pronouncement of fatwa on a woman forced intohilla marriage in Noongola village, Bogra district. Dur-ing investigation, it was found that many women wereforced into hilla marriage in that area.

The case of Jahangir Alam Sarker detained inComilla jail due to a mistaken identity.

Death of 22 newborn children in incubators dueto insufficient supply of electricity in Jessore GeneralHospital.International campaigns: Letters to the High Commis-sioner of India to request repatriation of Bangladeshinationals from different jails in India who are detainedwithout charge and to the Consulate of Spain for repa-triation of Bangladeshi nationals from detention campsin Melilia and Ceuta (Sebta) Cities of Spain. Letter toinform the High Commissions of India, Pakistan, andConsulates of Myanmar, Nepal and Philippines of theircitizens detained in Bangladeshi jails despite servingtheir sentences and requesting steps for their release.

The Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit senturgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Housingon Bangladesh Government’s attempt to cancel thecontract for rehabilitation of Bhasantek slum dwellers.Protection of rights of the Foreigners in BangladeshJails: To obtain the release of 241 foreign prisoners invarious jails of Bangladesh who had overstayed theirsentence the Advocacy Unit prepared a public interestpetition for direction to provide particulars of the for-eign prisoners to ASK and to take steps for their repa-triation. As part case procedure ASK served legal no-tice to the jail authority. The authority responded the

letter by providing the particulars of the foreign prison-ers and also permitting ASK representatives to visitjails and interview the foreign prisoners. ASK then re-frained from filing the case as the main purpose of thecase had been served.

Previous experience shows that particulars of for-eign prisoners are not recorded correctly in caserecords and as a result, the concerned embassies donot accept them as their citizens. A team is workingto conduct interviews of the foreign prisoners. Aftercollecting the particulars, it will be submitted to theconcerned embassies as well as other internationalorganizations for repatriation of those prisoners.Right to Property (Writ Petition No- 5412/2007): Forc-ible forestation by the Department of Forest in Anterpurvillage under the PS, Dharmopasha, DistrictSunamgonj violating the lease agreement given by theDeputy Commissioner, Sunamganj to 570 Garo andBangali families who had been in use of the lands forgenerations. The Advocacy Unit, along with the mem-bers of the affected community, filed a writ petition inthe High Court Division as to why the forestation shouldnot be declared to be without lawful authority and whythe Forest Department should not be directed to stopthe forestation on the above mentioned land. The Courtdirected to the forest department not to disturb thesaid Garo and Bangali families on the scheduled landmentioned in the writ petition till disposal of the case.While the case is pending, 570 Garo and Bangali fami-lies possess the lands peacefully.Right to equal protection of law (Writ Petition No- 6373/2007): ASK and BLAST filed a writ petition in the HighCourt as to why the detention of children in various jailsinstead of in the Juvenile Development Centres violat-ing the Children Act 1974 should not be declared ille-gal. The Court issued Rule Nisi upon the governmentand directed to transfer the juveniles to the JuvenileDevelopment Centres from the jails. The Court alsodirected the government to submit the list of the juve-niles detained in jails. The Juveniles were transferred tothe Juvenile Development Centre from jails.Judgments Obtained in petitions filed by the Ad-vocacy Unit: Administrative Tribunal Case No.120/2005: Refusal of pension benefit for Srimoti Romanaafter 20 years service.

Srimoti Romana was employed as a sweeper inthe Telephone Board. At the time of joining, she was34 years old. Her department condoned her overagein their Board Meeting, as they could not find a suit-able candidate. After her retirement, the TelephoneBoard refused to pay her pension benefit as the maxi-mum age for joining service was 27 years. The Court,in a petition filed by the Advocacy Unit, directed theTelephone Board to pay all benefits to Srimoti Romana.


Transparency and Accountability inPublic InstitutionsThe Investigation and Documentation Units, through fieldinvestigations and compilation of data from the print mediaon human rights violations draw attention to the role ofpublic institutions in preventing and promoting humanrights. Fact finding reports were used by the Legal AidUnit for legal action, they were published in ASK’s Bul-letin or in national newspapers.

The importance of social mobilization has promptedASK to build links with human rights defenders in differ-ent regions so that they can respond locally and buildpressure on public institutions for action against perpe-trators of Human Rights Violations (HRV). As account-ability and transparency in public institutions are im-portant preconditions for good governance and for re-dressing discrimination and social injustice, these twounits monitor HR violations, document and disseminateinformation, maintain a Resource Centre; and providefact-finding training to networking organizations andhuman rights defenders.

Fact-finding investigations and documentation helpto create an indirect pressure for accountability andtransparency of public institutions. Information also en-courages a demand for recognition of rights amongstthe survivors and the local community. The district levelHRD Forum monitors hr situation and mobilises com-munity pressure for action by the authority.

* Training in investigation methodology has in-creased capacity of human rights defenders to conductfact-finding investigation. 51 participants from 16 dis-tricts attended the training, during which they made fact-finding visits in 64 incidents. Local investigations werean effective means of alerting the administration and inprocuring legal remedy for the victim’s family.

* In 2007, the Unit sent letters and memorandumsin 114 incidents (including 41 investigation reports), torelevant authorities including the Advisors, Secretaries,Directors/Asst. Secretaries, IGP, Police Superintendent,Officers in Charge and other government officers to knowwhat action had been taken.• Qualitative Investigative reporting and documenta-

tion of at least 65 events of HRVs were made avail-able to HR activists, and GO/NGO institutions forlegal action, litigation, research and advocacy soas to protect or promote human rights.

• At least 30% of reports on HRV incidents (620) wereshared with ASK units, amongst Forum membersand sent to relevant government authorities.

• As planned, seven Human Rights Defenders Forumswere working in seven districts. The InvestigationUnit formed nine HRD forums in nine districts, whichwere able to monitor, investigate and respond to HRissues at the local level.

• The HR Resource Centre has a collection of lawbooks, reports, human rights literature and newspa-per clippings in both English and Bangla. Newspa-per clippings filed subject wise by the Documenta-

tion Unit were used during the year in filing 1054complaints. ASK’s collection of 7500 books and re-ports is maintained in a COS/ISIS database.

• Fact-finding, HR monitoring, social mobilization bylocal HRDF as well as dissemination of information,etc., has increased people’s demand for transpar-ency and accountability of public institutions on HRissues at local and national levels.

Case StudyProtecting an underprivileged community againstforced eviction

On the morning of 5 June 2007, a posse of army personnel ledby a Captain, arrived at the Durga Temple at Chakulia villageclose to the Mirpur Cantonment under Pallabi PS in Dhaka. Theycame in 11/12 army vans along with two bulldozers to demolishall structures including houses and the temple, because theyclaimed that the area belonged to the Cantonment authority.About 350 village families mostly Hindu, objected to this forcedeviction on the grounds of a Court Stay Order in four petitions(for approx. 26.5 acres of land) which had been filed earlier bythe villagers. Within a short while, reporters from print andelectronic media reached the spot to cover the incident. Localpolice also arrived at the spot. The army officers told the villag-ers that they must remove all existing structures and leave thearea within a few days.

Seeing the report in the newspapers the next day, ASKInvestigation unit visited the area several times, talked to thevillagers and collected information/documents relating to own-ership of the disputed land. ASK also discussed the issue withthe army higher authority and with the Army Chief of Staff. ASKunderstood the legal claim of the villagers who had been livingthere for over a hundred years but since the land was withinthe military Cantonment it would have been difficult for thevillagers to stay there. ASK therefore tried to protect their rightto shelter by suggesting their rehabilitation elsewhere. ASKappealed to the Head of the Caretaker Government and thearmy authority to allow the villagers time to arrange alternativeshelter, on land to be made available to them. It was reportedthat most of villagers were still living there, though 15 familieswere evicted by the army after three months.

Enhancing Capacity of HumanRights ActorsASK used to conduct courses to generate awarenessby disseminating information. Today its focus hasshifted to imparting knowledge on legal and humanrights that can strengthen community activism andenhance the capacity of human rights defenders toprevent violations. Several training courses were con-ducted for different PNGOs.

Course evaluations and follow-up reports showedchanges in pre and post training attitude and activitiesof participants. ASK’s training programmes have sig-nificantly raised amongst participants (a) conscious-ness of human rights and justice; (b) enhanced theiractivism in movements for a fair justice system and(c) increased intervention in incidence of domestic vio-lence, torture, etc. The courses have succeeded inclearing misconceptions about legal issues, encour-


aged peaceful means of dispute resolution,emphasised importance of networking, etc. The train-ing modules and materials are user-friendly and havebeen replicated by several other organisations.

In 2007, the Training Unit worked on the followingprojects:

Eight training courses were conducted for staff law-yers of BRAC to sensitize them to human rights andgender equality.

A training of trainers on Organizational Developmentwas conducted for ASK staff.

Training staff participated in several short trainingcourses and workshops at home and abroad. Theseincreased their capacity and developed professionalefficiency.

‘Legal Empowerment for Women and Disadvan-taged Groups’ was started as a pilot project inMymensingh under an agreement with ADB and AsiaFoundation. This project was to identify and test legalempowerment (LE) strategies that increase accessto basic social services, productive resources and op-portunities for women and disadvantaged groups; andto promote increased incorporation of effective legalempowerment initiatives within a mainstream devel-opment project. The project is a unique example ofpromoting community activism beyond ASK’s work-ing area.

Building Capacity of Human Rights Organisationsin Bangladesh with HURIDOCS. One of the purposesof this two-year project was to develop common vo-cabularies to describe violations for a more compre-hensive analysis of the human rights situation inBangladesh. This task will be strengthened throughbuilding a documentation support network of humanrights organizations. Besides, it will lead to an inter-national and national trainers’ pool selected from par-ticipating organizations.

Institutional SupportThe Administration Unit provided administrative and lo-gistic back up, information, human resources develop-ment for implementation of ASK’s programmes. TheFinance and Accounts Unit was responsible for all or-ganizational and programme finances. The Unit moni-tored programme expenditure and provided orientationto staff on budgeting and financial management. ThePlanning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Unit wasestablished in September 2007 to prepare project pro-posals; coordinate activity plans; maintain liaison withdonors; compile and prepare reports; analyze data tomonitor progress/trends; provide monitoring feedback,develop tools and format for programme monitoringand develop/update management information system.The Unit will also monitor progress and organize exter-nal evaluation and impact assessment studies.

In 2007, institutional system was improved by thefollowing:• Amendment and implementation of Service Rules,

Accounts Manual and staff appraisal format.• Consultation on finalisation of Gender Policy.• Submission of revised work plan and budget for the

period January 2008 - December 2011 to Consor-tium Partners and NGOAB.

• ASK project proposal submitted to the AustralianHigh Commission in October 2007.

• Monitoring by PMEU of different programmes inworking areas.

Automation of financial management systems with ap-propriate computer software to ensure accuracy andspeed.

Participation of staff in 77 national and 9 interna-tional trainings/workshops/seminars/meetings/studycircles, etc. Budget preparation by Accounts Unit in consulta-

tion with all unit heads and monitoring of expenditures.The Accounts Unit sent timely report to the Donors,NGO Bureau, DCs, Bangladesh Bank and others.


Collective Actions taken by different units andresult of campaigns and advocacy

Right to lifeDeath of Cholesh Richil in military custody: The media re-ported on 18 March 2006 that Cholesh Richil, a Garoleader active in the protection of forest land, had beenarrested by army officers and died in their custody. ASKinvestigation team joined other organisations to investi-gate the causes of his death. Several oganisations in-cluding ASK (through its communication unit) issued apress release and held a press conference to call uponthe government to hold an impartial enquiry into his death.Legal Advocacy unit led the advocacy and campaignactivities with other organizations. Subsequently the Gov-ernment formed a one member Judicial Inquiry Com-mission, at which ASK’s executive director submittedthe findings of the Investigation Unit’s Fact Finding Re-port. The Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit sentseveral letters requesting the Ministry of Home Affairs topublish the inquiry report.

Right to LibertyA newspaper item reported that Javed Hossain Titu(18 years) was trafficked to Pakistan ten years ago.Identified as an Indian citizen, he was arrested. TheLegal Advocacy & Policy Reform unit collected rel-evant information and documents and contacted hisfamily and the Government. Finally through ASK’s ef-forts he was repatriated.

Right to equal protection of law (Writ Petition No- 6373/2007): Detention of juvenile prisoners in different jailsof Bangladesh with adult prisoners instead of JuvenileDevelopment Centre violating the Children Act 1974.ASK and BLAST filed a writ petition in the High Courtas to why the detention of children in various jails in-stead of in the Juvenile Development Centres violatingthe Children Act 1974 should not be declared illegal.The Court issued Rule Nisi upon the Government anddirected to transfer the juveniles to Juvenile Develop-ment Centres from the jails. The Court also directedthe Government to submit the list of juveniles detainedin jails. The Juveniles were transferred to the JuvenileDevelopment Centre from jails.

Right to Shelter and Protection from EvictionIn February 2007, the Government conducted a demo-lition drive in slums in Dhaka City, which left 27,235families homeless and caused a massive monetary loss.The Investigation Unit conducted a fact-finding investi-gation, reports were published in the Bulletin and theLegal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit submitted amemorandum to the Adviser for Law for their rehabilita-tion. Because of a campaign conducted collectively withseveral groups, the Government formed a high powercommittee to identify land for their rehabilitation. Fiveacres were finally allocated to the Coalition for the Ur-ban Poor for construction according to designs to be


made by architects and urban planners in consultationwith the slum dwellers to assess their needs. The Le-gal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit sent urgent ap-peal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing onBangladesh Government’s attempt to cancel the con-tract for rehabilitation of Bhasantek slum dwellers.Eviction of Chakoli residents: A large Hindu commu-nity of approximately 300 families who had been livingin Chakoli village, abutting the military cantonment inDhaka were threatened with eviction and given a no-tice by the Mirpur Cantonment Authority to vacate theirhomes by 30 August 2007. ASK Litigation and Advo-cacy Units assisted with the court case, the Investi-gation Unit conducted a fact finding in the area, andthe Advocacy Unit prepared a concept paper for reha-bilitation of the villagers, which was submitted, to theChief Advisor and Army Chief of Staff. Following thiscampaign, the eviction notice was not acted upon.

Right to LivelihoodThe Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit arrangedand facilitated a press conference for Non-Matriculatedand Non-Trained primary school teachers and sentmemoranda to the concerned authorities to considertheir pension benefits. About 450 teachers have beendeprived of their pension benefit after retirement.

Rights of Jute WorkersMemorandums/Appeals were submitted to the AdviserMinistry of Labour and Employment to withdraw casesagainst workers in Khalishpur, to pay their dues fol-lowing the closure of the jute mills.

ASK submitted several memoranda to the con-cerned authorities on different issues. Lawyers alsofiled petitions for release of workers. This was pre-ceded by the Investigation Unit doing fact-finding in-vestigations. ASK joined the Sromik Nirapotta Forumin campaigning against the closure of jute mills anddemanding payment of compensation and all dues tothe workers.

Women’s RightsDifferent units of ASK worked together with the women’sgroups to press upon Government to amend the policyfor the advancement of women which had been ap-proved by the Government in 2004 without consulta-tion with women’s groups and to announce a policy inkeeping with Bangladesh’s commitments underCEDAW, the Constitution, MDG and PRSP. ASK as amember of the Social Action Committee ( a coalitionof women’s rights groups) submitted recommendationsthat would promote equality and justice for women.All the units were involved in formulating the recom-mendations

Domestic ViolenceReports from the Investigation and DocumentationUnits, cases filed by the Litigation Unit and work ofthe Advocacy Unit enabled ASK to contribute to thediscussions on a proposed bill on domestic violenceand to submit recommendations to the Committeeformed by a large number of non-governmentorganisations. The final recommendations were to besubmitted to the Ministry of Law.

Human Rights ReportASK has published an annual report on the situationof human rights in Bangladesh since 1996. It has beenan important source of information for researchers,academics, policy makers and activists. This year asummary report was published (Human Rights inBangladesh 2007) with contributions from different unitsand individual writers.

International CampaignsASK endorsed the following statements to the FourthSession of the UN Human Rights Council:• Joint statement of Asian Human Rights Defenders

on Darfur on 29 March 2007.• Joint oral statement on VAW in Darfur on 22 March

2007• Signed Asian NGOs position paper on institution

building issues on 16 March 2007.Letters to the High Commission of India, to requestrepatriation of Bangladeshi nationals from different jailsin India who are detained without charge and to theConsul of Spain for repatriation of Bangladeshi nation-als in detention. Letter to inform the High Commis-sions of India, Pakistan, and Consulates of Myanmar,Nepal and Philippines of their citizens detained inBangladeshi jails despite serving their sentences andrequesting steps for their release.

The urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur onHousing on Bangladesh Government’s attempt tocancel the contract for rehabilitation of Bhasantekslum dwellers.


Challenges faced by ASK

in carrying out different programmes

Human Rights Awareness UnitThe MNPs have become accepted in the locality, butthey may not have acquired the expected capabilityor experience. MNPs invest their time and money toperform issue-based dramas but they may not be ableto do sufficient research and rehearsals. Often thecomplex aspects of gender discrimination, state obli-gations, human rights, and globalization are notdramatised properly. Some former PNGOs and other NGOs have intro-duced similar programmes in areas where the GSJand HRA Units work, but they pay the theatre workerfor every performance, whereas ASK has promotedvolunteerism amongst MNP members. This has cre-ated a conflict of interest.

Because of the state of emergency, the commu-nity hesitated to carry on with some of the programmes,to congregate in open spaces or to use microphones,banners, etc. In some of the unions, the UP Chairmenand Members went into hiding, as they were wantedin corruption cases. This prevented their participationin different events.

The HR Unit depends upon the availability of GuideTeachers, trained by the Unit in conducting HR dra-mas, to help further BNAD programme in high schools.If these teachers are transferred by the authority, itweakens the programme and the BNAD groups be-come less effective. The likelihood of conflicts betweenthe Governing committee and the schoolteachers insome areas has also affected the programme.

Gender and Social Justice UnitExternal Problem• During emergency some of the activities were to-

tally stopped because the community was afraid tomeet together and use mike, banner etc.

• Due to heavy rainfall and flood, regular programmeswere hampered.

• Due to emergency declaration and anti-corruptiondrive some UP Chairmen and Members had ab-sconded and did not take part in workshops forwhich their presence was essential.

• The UP was under the direct supervision of the Armyto distribute VGF and VGD cards and they occu-pied the UP for this.

Internal Problem• Between January to October three staff members

resignated, which added workload to other staff.• Congestion of office space is not conducive for effi-

ciency.

MRRU and Litigation UnitsDiscriminatory personal laws are the main obstacle toa woman obtaining justice and affirming equal rights.Both the MMRU and Litigation Units work in a dis-criminatory legal framework, which does not allow fairremedies. Threats of violence deter women from filing


cases, or make them to withdraw their cases. Thejudge’s bias particularly in cases relating to dower andmaintenance, administrative mismanagement, lead tounfavourable judgments while the decision of ASK’slawyers not to give bribes to the court administrationdelay the cases. Sometimes in cases out of Dhakaproceedings are delayed due to shortage of lawyers.

Support Services and Halfway Home UnitField workers of SS and HWH, who have to go to hos-tile areas to visit clients, face threats from local thugs,opposing parties and police. Persons who seek coun-selling support are sometimes misunderstood as be-ing “mentally disturbed” by others, which increasestheir insecurity. There is a need to increase the num-ber of field workers and counselling helpers and toenhance their capabilities.

Advocacy UnitPublic Interest Litigation to protect fundamental rightscould not be filed during the state of emergency. Thishas also affected advocacy for law and policy reform

as there was no parliament session. The State ofEmergency, deployment of army, has hindered properinvestigations into instances of ‘death in crossfire’, bythe law enforcing agencies such as Joint Forces, RAB.

Restrictions imposed by the Police or courts onaccess to information from the Police Station andcourts created difficulties in proper investigation,especially in cases of illegal arrest, custodial tortureor death.

Training UnitTrainings were focused on generating awareness. Be-sides conducting trainings, trainers should also beequipped in other methodologies like organising andconducting workshops, seminars, etc. The successof the programme depends upon skilled trainers. Thestaff had limited scope for development due to lack ofresources. Shortage of adequate office space cre-ated a poor working environment and did not allowproper maintenance of materials. Because of staff turn-over the unit lost experienced staff.


Key Activities of ASK Units in 2007

Human Rights Awareness Unit• Working areas: Kushtia , Jhenaidah, Pabna, Sirajganj, Naogoan, Joypurhat, Gaibandha,

Mymensingh, Netrokona and Kishorgonj Sadar Upazila• Number of Unions and Municipality: 10 Municipality in 10 working areas and 40 unions, (4

unions in each Upazila)• Number of Union Manbadhiker Nattya Parishad (UMNP)- 51• Members: Female -262 Male-1311 Total -1573• Upazila Manabadhiker Nattaya Parishad (UzMNP) -10• Members: Female-31 Male-166 Total -197• Issue based Drama performed by MNPs: 650• Audience (approx): Female-66810 Male-127460 Total -194270 (aprox.) Major Issues:

National budget, Violence Against Women (Dowry, Divorce, Domestic Violence, AcidViolence), Police Torture, Corruption, Fundamentalism, Extra Judicial Killing, Custody,Patriotism, Inflation etc.

• Number of Schools: 30 schools, 3 in each district.• Number of Biddaloy Nattya Dal (BNAD): 30• Members: Girls- 490 Boys- 267 Total- 757• Issue based Drama performed by BNAD: 191• Audience (approx): Female-23563 Male-30259 Total -53822

Gender and Social Justice Unit• Working Areas: 10• No of Unions: 40• No. of Union level Manabadhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad (MSP): 40;• No of members: 1400• No. of Union level Manabadhikar Nari Samaj (MNS): 40; No. of members: 1200• No. of Shalish conducted by MSP/ MNS : 243• Initiatives taken by MSP/MNS to prevent HRV: 259• No. of cases in which legal aid was provided under district level legal aid fund: 64

Annexure I


Rapid Response and Mediation Unit• No of clients given legal advice: 2406• No. of complaints: 2892; of which 1510 were registered in 2007and 1382 complaints carried over

from previous years; 863 complaints closed• No. of complaints registered in 2007: Total:1510, In ASK Office 954 and clinics 556• Number of visits by clients: 9577• No. of visits by clients whose cases were carried over from previous years: 2103• Total number of mediations conducted: 757 in which settled :396• Total amount recovered through mediation: 39,71,369 among which 36,93,430/- recovered as

dower money and cost of maintenance of wife, 2,42,000/- recovered as maintenance of children,27,200/-as borrowed money, and 8,739/- recovered as wages and money provident fund at of aclient

• No. of incidents to which Rapid responses were made: 517- Action taken on incidents reported in national newspapers: 394- No. of General Diary entries made in police stations: 112 and FIRs filed: 5

• No. of children rescued from disputing party: 18

• Missing children handed over to their guardians: 30

• Victims of illegal arrest released under DMP Act: 64

• Released victims from safe custody and handed over to legal guardians (on request fromWomen and Children’s Affairs Ministry and Social Welfare Ministry): 4

• Arranged shelter for survivors of HR violations in:- Halfway Home: 104- Nirmal Shelter Home: 27 (for long term shelter & vocational training)- CTRDW: 6- Shishu Polli: 5- Families for Children : 2

Litigation Unit

Outreach Unit• Three workshops on Gender, Legal Aid and Human Rights for Panel Lawyers (Women: 25 &

Male: 88) of Dhaka Division• Two six day trainings on gender relations analyses, human rights, law and policy reform. 65

BRAC staff lawyers (women: 16 and Men: 49) to enhance their capacity for mediation and dis-pute settlement

• Two six day trainings on gender relation analysis, Human Rights, Law and policy reform 65 stafflawyers (Female16 and Male-49).

• 24 workshops in different districts regarding issues relevant to the Legal Aid programme where1147 Local Bar association members & 100 Judges were present.

• Increased coordination with members of the Local Administration (i.e. Police Officials, DC, Mag-istrates, Assistant and Public Prosecutors, Media and NGO’s etc) 24 workshops in differentdistricts. Total number of participants in the workshops: 1113 includes Government officials :140


(DC-19, ADC-8, ADM- 14, UNO- 21, Magistrate- 81 ); Police Officials: 102 (Deputy Police Commis-sioner- 2, Additional Police Commissioner- 1, Police Officer- 99); Doctors- 15; Journalists- 214,NGO representatives- 344 and others -298.

• 337 rapid responses to HRV at district level.

Children’s Rights Unit

Support Services and Halfway Home UnitNo. of clients attended legal clinics: 2956 personsNo. of client’s follow up: 1047 personsNo. of clients accommodated in Half Way Home: 251 persons


Clients to other organizations for further development:ASCR (Nirmol Asroy Kendra) 27 clientsCTRDW 6 personShishu Polli Plus 2 clients 3 childrenFamilies for children 2 clientsTotal 37 clients with 3 children

Psycho-social Counselling Component• Help to clients: 127 (F-120, M-07)• Counsellors/Helpers Association Meetings: 5, Participants: 97 (F: 85, M: 12)• Training on counselling: 3, Participants: 59 (F: 44, M: 15)• Orientation on counselling: 7, Participants: 196 (F: 84, M; 112)

Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit• Filed three PILs to ensure fundamental rights of citizens. About 3491 persons were benefited

directly and other issues were related to government policy• Advocacy for policies on right to shelter, custodial death and right to pension after retirement.• Conducted legal research on Right to Shelter of slum dwellers.• Conducted three investigations in collaboration with Investigation Unit into death of 22 new

born babies in incubator, pronouncement of fatwa and illegal detention of an innocent personfor mistaken identity.

• Reviewed draft of Bangladesh Police Ordinance 2007 and submitted recommendations to theconcerned authority

• Attended and organised nine meetings with different organizations on the incidence of humanrights violations.

• Regular liaison with different embassies, UN bodies and international NGOs regarding humanrights violations.

• Monitor and follow-up positive judgments on petitions filed by ASK.

Research Unit• Published Human Rights in Bangladesh 2006.• In depth research on ‘Rights to Proper Treatment and Negligence in Medical Sector’.• Started research on Child Domestic Workers.• Completed research on ‘Assessment of Needs for an Adoption Law’• Facilitated five Study Circles on pure drinking water, HIV/AIDS, Medical Negligence, Adoption

Law, Human Rights Situation in Sudan.• Started a project with UNAIDS in June 2007 to review existing laws, rules, regulations and

practices regarding HIV/ADIS.• Completed a project with D.Net to compile judgments on fundamental rights e.g. Rights to life,

liberty etc.

Publication and Communication Unit• Quarterly Bulletin published: 4 issues, 23, 000 copies in total• Articles published in newspapers: 20• Publications: 2Bangladeshe Jongi totpotota o tar bichar (An account of militancy in Bangladesh & the trial)(2nd impression) and Juddhaparadh (War Crimes)

Media and International Advocacy Unit• Press Release/ Reaction : 33 statements issued• Memorandum : 02 memoranda have been submitted


• Press Conference : 01 press conference held on National Human Rights Commission• UN Advocacy : Endorsed 2 statements that were submitted to the UN Human

Rights Council regarding the HR violation in Darfur, Sudan and thereform forces of UN

• Meeting with Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya : Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the

UN Missionin GenevaInvestigation Unit• Investigations by Unit staff: 95• Investigations by HRD forum members: 47• Investigation into and follow up of state violence:1• Meeting with local HR defenders: 10• No. of HRD Forums formed in districts: 9• Training on Fact Finding for Forum Members: 1• National training on Fact-Finding for HRs activists, journalists and other professionals: 1• Appeal to authorities regarding HRV:150• Lobbying & Campaign (Press conference): 1• Training on Fact finding for BRAC, Polli Shishu and MSP staff: 4

Action taken on Fact Finding Reports

N.B Number in breakdown differs due to duplication of action.


Documentation Unit• Statistical charts prepared : 137• No. of users of Documentation : 491• No. of Books accessed : 178 (Law & H.R)• No. of Reports accessed : 160• No. of copies sale : 1855 copies. Amount Earned: Tk. 67,6420

Training Unit• No. of Courses Conducted: 105• No. of Participants: Total: 2099, Men: 1024, Women: 1075

Administration Unit• There were 22 recruitments (13 men 22 women); 30 staff resigned (20 women, 10 men)• Recruitment tests administered 9 times• The Service Rule and Accounts Manual had been amended and implemented Staff Appraisal format had

also been amended and made effective• A Director, Finance and Administration has been appointed• A Deputy Director, Planning, Monitoring and evaluation has been appointed• Staffing situation: Total staff 174

Finance and Accounts Unit• Financial Reports to Donors - 42• Financial Report to NGOAB - 21• Financial Report to Executive Committee - 4• Consolidated Audit - 1• Project Wise Audit - 4• Monthly Activity Report to NGOAB - 12• Monthly Activity Report for ASK - 12• Prepare Annual Budget - 1• Project Approval for NGOAB - 5• Project fund Released from NGOAB - 5• For smooth bank operating signatories for bank accounts have been changed and approved by the EC


Annexure II

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)Balance Sheet

As of 31 December 2007


Annexure III

ASK Members

Founder MembersAbdul KhalequeAminul Haq (Late)Amirul IslamFazle Hasan AbedHameeda HossainKhursheed Erfan AhmedK.M. Subhan (Late)Salma Sobhan (Late)Taherunnessa Abdullah

Executive Committee MembersFazle Hasan Abed (Chairperson)Md. Asaduzzaman (Secretary General)Nizamul Huq Nasim MemberMd. Nur Khan, MemberNihad Kabir (Treasurer)Sara Hossain MemberShamim Akhter MemberSultana Kamal (Ex-Officio) MemberTaherunnessa Abdullah Member

General MembersAfsana WahabDilruba ShahanaFaustina PereiraFatema Rashid HasanIsaac RobinsonKhurshid AlamKarunamoy ChakmaMeghna Guha ThakurtaMd. AsaduzzamanMd. Nur KhanNizamul Huq NasimNihad KabirNeela MatinRoushan Jahan ParvinRoxana KhondokarRoushan JahanSultana KamalSara HossainSyed Refaat AhmedShameem AkhterSyed Mahbubar RahmanTahmina RahmanTanzina Huq TiruZ.I. Khan PannaZaved Hasan Mahmood


ASK PersonnelExecutive Director

Sultana Kamal

DirectorsMd. Nur Khan, Investigation and Documentation

Syed Zafrul Islam, Finance & Adminstration

Training Unit: Arifur Rahman, Asma Khanom Ruba, Hasina Ferdous, Mamunur Rashid, Momy MonjuryChowdhury, Md. Parvez, Rafiq Ahmed Shirajee, Shaheen Akhter (Coordinator), Sadia Tasneem, SetaraYeasmin, Shimul Kumar Biswas, Sarker Kabir Uddin, Samaresh Seal, Tanvia Roseleen Sultana.HURIDOCS Project: A.F.M. Nurur Rahman.Gender and Social Justice Unit: Md. Abdur Rob, Md. Abu Sayed Sumon, Gulsan Ara Parvin, MozahidulIslam, Md. Masud Parvez, Nargis Akter Khan, Sanaiyya Faheem Ansari (Deputy Director), Sitara Shamim,Taufiq Al Mannan (Coordinator), Tushar Kanti Das.Human Rights Awareness Unit: Anichcha Parvin, Md. Jahedul Alam (Coodinator), Md. Jahangir Alam,Joganmoy Paul, Lucy Tripti Gomez, Motahar Uddin Akand (Deputy Director), Md. Mubinur Rahman, ShahnazRahman, Shamima Shawkat, Samiun Jahan.Mediation & Rapid Response Unit: Dilara Momtaz, Kuheli Sultana, Mahjabin Robbani, Mosammat MoniraSultana, Nina Goswami (Sr. Coordinator), Nahid Shams, Shithi Rani Das, Selina Akhter, Shanina Ferdousi,Sumita Bagchi, Shamsun Nahar, Tania Tasnova, Umme Kulsum Akter Parvin.ASK-Concern Project: Sabetun Nahar, Afrin Hoque, Rupam Talukder.Litigation Unit: Abdur Rashid, Farhana Afroz, Momtaj Begum, Monira Akter, Mizanur Rahman, Nilufa Akter,Nasreen Akter, Salma Jabin (Sr. Coordinator), Snigtha Shaha, Topan Kumar Sarker, Zafrin Chowdhury.Outreach Unit: Dilip Kumar Paul (Coordinator), Mirana Sabir Mirza Shammi Akter, Md. Monwar Hossain,Roushan Jahan Parvin (Deputy Director), Rehana Sultana, Rahat Uddin, Sheikh Shariful Islam,Shahinuzzaman, Taufiqul Islam.Support Service and Half Way Home Unit: Ayesha Begum, Ayesha Arshad, Arpita Rani Das (Coordinator),Rijia Begum. Israt Jahan Mithila, Maleka Begum, Rokeya Begum, Syeda Parvez Khanam.Child Rights Unit: Ali Akram Tarafdar, Atia Afrin.Ferdousi, Geeta Chakrabarty (Deputy Director), JahanaraParvin, Kamrunnessa, Mehraj Jahan, Moqsud Maleque (Sr. Coordinator), Mina Sanyal, Md. Assadujjaman,Nargis Akter, Nazma Akter, Nargis Aktar Mafia, Rashida Khanam, Rasheda Akhter, Runa Khandakar, RehanaParvin, Shamsunnaher, Shammi Akter Ruma, Shahana Sultana.Protection for full-time Child Domestic Workers from Abuse and Exploitation: Ambika Roy, AmenaKhanam, Anwara Begum, Farzana Khanam, Farhana Nasim, Fatema Hoque, Luna Sarker, Lutfun Nessa,Mizanur Rahman, Monika Rani Dey, Mabia Akter, Mohsina Begum, Mahmuda Khanam Parvin Akter Baby,Padmabati Debi, Rita Parvin, Rabeya Akhter, Reshma Akhter, Rokeya Begum, Sabila Moktader, ShaheenMahbub, Shilpi Shaha, Shahnaz Begum, Shanaz Akter, Selina Akhter.Psycho-Social Help: Abeda Sultana (Counselor), Kohinur Begum (Sr. Helper in Counseling).Investigation Unit: Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir, Anirban Saha, John Asit Das, Khorshed Alam, Mohammed TipuSultan (Deputy Director, Acting), Sheikh Nasir Ahmed, Shah Alam Faruk.Documentation Unit: Fahmida Zaman, Fatema Zannati, Jharna Khanam, Md. Sekandar Ali, Nargis Akhter,Zafreen Sattar (Coordinator).Communication Unit: Kaniz Khadija Surovy, Millat Hossain, Qumrunnessa Nazly, Shaheen Akhter (Editor),Syeed Ahmed (Coordinator).Research Unit: Salma Chaudhury (Coordinator), Lovely Rani Talukdar, A.T.M. Morshed Alam.Legal Advocacy and Policy Reform Unit: Abu Obaidur Rahman (Coordinator), Jannat Sultana, AbanteeNurul, Umme Wara Mishu, Tapos Bondhu Das.Administration Unit: Abu Musa, Abedul Moula, Amena Begum, Anil Chandra Mandal, Fazila Begum, FatemaBegum, Laila Begum, Laily Ara Begum, Md. Haider Ali, Khokon Gomez, Mahmuda Sultana, Mariam Begum,Mintu Barua, Majeda Begum, Mahbub Alam, Mosharaf Hossain, Md. Moshin Ali, Naseema Akhter Banu(Asstt. Director), Nur E. Alam, Nurun Nahar Rekha, Rizwanul Hoque, Shamim Hossain, Shirin Aktar, SabinaYeasmin, Tahsina Ahmed, Jahera Begum.Finance Unit: Hosne Ara Begum, Md. Shahidullah (Deputy Director), Philip Arnold, Suraiya Hanam (DirectorFinance), Tahera Begum.Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit: Fatema Mahmuda (Deputy Director).

Annexure IV


Annexure V

Sponsors Names of ChildrenDr. Faustina Pereira : Bikash GhoshDr. Markus Litz : Monir Hossain and ApuPeter Haaze : Sayeda Akhter and Ashraf HossainWaltraud Haase : Hosne Ara and Shameem HossainSarah Leigh : Rabeya, Al-Amin, Monir, Rashedul Islam and AsmaMr. & Mrs. Giselher Brand : GolapiSanayya Faheem Ansari : Nasima Akhter

Sponsors of Working Children in 2007

Annual Report 2007 - askbd.orgIBDP: Issue-based Drama Presentation ICC: International Criminal Court INV: Investigation Unit JDA: Junior Documentation Assistant LEB: Local Elected

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