Our Work in Bangladesh

Our work in Bangladesh combines case support, prevention, research, public communication, and institutional collaboration. We respond to human rights violations and barriers to justice, shaping support around the needs of affected people and the resources available.

Human rights monitoring and documentation

We monitor reported human rights developments in Bangladesh and gather information from news media, local publications, civil society organisations, network members, fact-finding teams, and victims. Our documentation supports our reporting, urgent appeals, public advocacy, and efforts to draw attention to patterns of violations.

Our published work covers torture and deaths in custody; alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances; arbitrary arrest and detention; organised, political, and mob violence; violence against women and children; discrimination and attacks against LGBTQI+, ethnic, Indigenous, religious, and social minorities; risks faced by lawyers, journalists, scholars, workers, and human rights defenders; border violence; and freedom of opinion and expression.

Fact-finding and investigation

When a serious incident is reported, we establish and organise relevant information, communicate with affected people and other sources, and prepare an impartial account. We publish fact-finding reports and share findings with relevant audiences and authorities. We document alleged violations carefully to support justice and protection for those affected.

Urgent appeals and public alerts

We issue urgent appeals to communicate time-sensitive concerns about individual cases and call for appropriate action. We base appeals on fact-finding information and distribute them through available channels, including post, fax, and email. Our appeals raise awareness and encourage relevant authorities and institutions to prevent harm, investigate allegations, protect affected people, and provide remedies.

Legal aid, counselling, and case support

• Criminal case support: we help victims understand legal procedures, prepare documentation, organise evidence, and pursue representation or other appropriate legal steps. Where appropriate, we support legal action against alleged perpetrators.
• Public interest litigation: we pursue cases addressing wider or systemic barriers to justice, particularly where poverty or lack of legal knowledge prevents people from seeking remedies.
• Legal counselling and advice: we explain rights, available remedies, and practical steps so victims can make informed decisions.

Safety, recovery, and reintegration

We work with local partners to provide safe shelter and emergency accommodation for people facing immediate danger. Depending on local partners and available resources, this support includes temporary accommodation, food, clothing, bedding, hygiene items, counselling, and legal assistance. For survivors of trafficking or forced labour, we work with partners to provide rehabilitation and reintegration support, including medical care and vocational training where available.

Advocacy and public awareness

We engage with government authorities and diplomatic missions on human rights safeguards, reservations to international instruments, ratification of relevant covenants and protocols, and implementation of United Nations declarations. Our public activities include human rights day observances, signature campaigns, human chains, rallies, discussions, and roundtables.

Training and capacity building

We organise and take part in training, seminars, workshops, and conferences on human rights, legal frameworks, monitoring, documentation, advocacy, good governance, peace, democracy, and legal empowerment. Participants include professionals, students, survivors, and our staff. We provide paralegal training, handbooks, and training manuals to help communities understand rights, procedures, and available remedies.

Research and publications

We conduct research and publish human rights situation reports, focused thematic reports, testimony reports, persecution reports, fact-finding reports, and annual activity reports.

We publish a monthly Bengali newsletter and a quarterly English newsletter, alongside research papers, books, leaflets, posters, stickers, and handbills to share evidence, explain rights, and raise public awareness.

Institution building and collaboration

We strengthen cooperation among human rights organisations, embassies, professional associations, civil society groups, individuals, and international and United Nations bodies. These relationships support information sharing, joint advocacy, capacity building, and collective efforts to prevent human rights violations.

Hotline

Our 24-hour hotline receives reports of human rights violations in Bangladesh from victims, families, network members, and other concerned people, including people in remote areas. Contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or Signal at +33 7 83 95 23 15.