The rights issue
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established by the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009 to bridge the people, deprived of rights or victims of violation of rights, with the State. The reconstituted Commission has been working since June 23, 2010. Since its inception, the NHRC's main concern has been to see a human rights culture created in society. The Commission believes that to ensure the dignity of human beings, full realization of human rights is essential and to that end a culture of human rights is necessary in every sphere of the society.
The need for a publication relating to a filing of complaints to the NHRC has been felt because of the requirement of a guideline on how the NHRC can work as a bridge between the State and the stakeholders or people deprived of their rights. Therefore, it can be said that this publication, as a guideline, is the first step toward the fulfillment of this necessity.
This publication is a practical handbook on filing complaints before the NHRC. Those who wish to know about the complaint procedure of the NHRC, especially those who are in need of filing complaints before the Commission directly, will benefit from this publication. Considering the various spheres of society, simplicity has been prioritized in the use of language. But Ain O Salish Kendra does not claim a hundred percent success in this work. That evaluation is for the users of it to make. ASK expects opinions from users, which it will consider for the second edition of this work.
A number of methods have been followed in this publication considering selection of issues, use of language, etc. As a first step, the author of this handbook has behind him long experience of working as a human rights activist and has also closely worked with the NHRC. Sayeed Ahmad first prepared a list of contents upon discussion with the staff members of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). Then a sharing meeting was held on the draft contents of the publication with representatives of some non-governmental organizations in the presence of Dr. Mizanur Rahman, the chairman, and Neerupa Dewan, one of the members of the NHRC. A good bunch of suggestions emerging from that discussion have enriched the contents of this publication. Next, the draft handbook was prepared and shared with taskforce members, different professionals, CBOs in twelve districts of the country (Sirajganj, Gaibandha, Kishoreganj, Netrakona, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Jhenidah, Pabna, Kushtia, Rajshahi, Sunamganj) with the assistance of grassroots partner organizations of ASK i.e. Manabadhikar Nari Samaj (MNS, organization of women leaders), Manabadhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad (MSP, organization of local opinion leaders, including men and women), Manabadhikar Ainjibi Parishad (MAP, organization of local pro-bono lawyers) and members of local partner organizations. Opinion was gathered through a survey on the simplicity of the language of the manual, ease of understanding, and coherence of language with the illustrations, etc. Based on all the opinions gathered, almost a final version of the handbook had been prepared. At the end, it was finalized by incorporating the suggestions of the chairman, other members and concerned officials of the NHRC.
ASK already has formed a taskforce with 108 members of the community organizations from 12 districts. In total 36 persons, three from each district, have been nominated as focal persons for the task force. These 36 focal persons will be trained on the institutional structure of the NHRC, complaint procedure of the Commission and will be instructed on how to use the handbook practically. These members of the taskforce will systematically record the incidents of human rights violations in their respective areas and will send them to the NHRC.
Divided into four chapters, the publication contains in its first chapter some concepts regarding human rights, such as rights, responsiblities of the State and citizens in order to ensure human rights. The second chapter underscores the powers and mandate of the National Human Rights Commission. The main part of this publication is the third chapter. In this part different aspects of filing complaints before the Commission have been explained through illustrations and conversations with questions. In the last part of the publication some important documents, including the biography of each member of the Commission, the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, the 'form' for filing complaints in the Commission have been annexed.
Violations of human rights have been taking place in a continuous manner in Bangladesh. The violations have not been stopped yet by the legal machinery of the State; it is expected that this handbook will play an important role in strengthening the modes of realization of human rights. Human rights defenders can have a clear idea about their work by using this handbook. At the same time, people at large will know about the procedure of filing complaints before the Commission. As a result, the task of filing a complaint before the Commission following proper procedure will be relatively easier and more expeditious.
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