Ain o Salish Kendra (2017-2021)

This conclusion of performance is based on the programme officer's assessment of ASK's work related to the contribution during July 2022 to June 2023. With national elections planned to be held in January 2024, the government continued to take increasingly authoritarian measures to curtail the work of human rights organisations. This was done by imposing restrictions and employing tactics such as delays in various approvals supposed to be given by the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB). As a result, human rights organisation like ASK faced severe challenges in relation to the implementation of project activities and also with regard to raising voice within the restricted democratic space. Reporting on this period, ASK cited that the human rights situation in the country was rather serious, with a reported 294 cases of rape, 22 related deaths, and 5 suicides. Additionally, there were 79 cases of sexual harassment and violence, resulting in 10 suicides and 253 cases of domestic violence with 156 related deaths and 59 suicides. Religious minorities also faced attacks and harassment, with 6 recorded incidents. The number of extra-judicial killings decreased following sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its officials, however, 6 people still died at the hands of law enforcement agencies, and 51 died in jail custody (28 convicted and 37 under trial). Political clashes resulted in 14 deaths and 2,422 injuries. Journalists also faced harassment and intimidation, with 119 reported cases. Together with a number of CSOs, ASK had played a crucial role in making recommendations for amendment of existing discriminatory laws and drafting and advocating for the promulgation of new laws that addressed the human rights of the citizens. As a result of the joint efforts, the Evidence Act of 1872 was amended in passed in November 2022. The amendment prohibits the questioning of a victim's character or past sexual behavior during cross-examination in rape cases and allowing digital evidence in legal proceedings. In such cases both victim and perpetrator are examined, as opposed to the earlier practice of the burden of proof lying only on the victim. A successful writ petition led to the abolition of the requirement to include the fathers name in educational documents as gender-discriminatory. Now all academic are required forms to have the mothers/guardians names. Active advocacy was carried out for enactment of the draft Anti-discriminatory Law and was placed in parliament during 2002, but the law has not been passed yet. As the secretariat of the human rights forum (HRFB), ASK submitted the Stakeholders' Report under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The report was developed through rigorous consultation with stakeholders, including the government. ASK also drafted a progress report on implementing the concluding observations of the UN Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Through its efforts, the organisation played a crucial role in raising human rights issues of all individuals. Despite challenges in getting fund release approval from the NGOAB, ASK continued to be active in offering comprehensive assistance to survivors of human rights violations. Some of the major accomplishments of the project include organising awareness campaigns, providing legal aid services to disempowered communities, and promoting human rights culture in Bangladesh through advocacy and networking. On ensuring access to justice and legal aid, 19,439 disempowered people received legal assistance from ASK, which facilitated their access to the judiciary system at a minimum cost. It also gave them the courage and opportunity to claim their legal rights. ASK found out that 99% of the people came to ASK with complaints related to family matters. Through mediation and counselling, ASK assisted in ensuring the legal rights of 165 women to their dower and maintenance money from their husbands (at the time of marital separation). During the reporting period ASK addressed 10,853 complaints through legal advice, mediation, and litigation new and 733 existing cases. ASK addressed 709 incidents of violence against women and children. The incidents included rape, sexual harassment, murder, kidnapping, illegal dispute resolution, fatwa, confinement by father and husband, torture for dowry, etc. Through the activities of the project during the year, 154 survivors received medical, shelter and counseling support. Psychosocial received to develop their life skills. With regard to ensuring responsiveness of the state institutions and international organizations, ASK appealed in 140 cases on various human rights violations (HRV) during this reporting period. The concerned authorities included the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Inspector General of Police, Inspector General of Prison, District Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, District Administrative Officer, Officer in Charge, and several government officers. The respective government agencies and the NHRC took action on 29 of those appeals. NHRC also has followed up on previous appeals made by ASK. Throughout the year ASK continued to maintain active communication with national, regional, and international stakeholders through statements, appeals, petitions, and acts of solidarity addressing human rights issues.

Outcome 1: Local human rights actors are actively undertaking and facilitating initiatives on human rights and gender issues. Outcome 2: Disempowered people have increased access to justice through legal aid Outcome 3: Working Children increasigly enjoy fundamental human rights Outcome 4: State institutions are increasingly responsive to respecting human rights under their jurisdiction