‘Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastobayan Sangstha’ (in English – Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights – BSEHR) is the pioneer and leading organization in Bangladesh, established on the 10th of December, 1977, to work on establishing and protecting Human Rights of the poor and vulnerable women, men and children in Bangladesh. This organization believes that human-rights are the basic elements of human development as well as of the social and economic development of a country. Manabadhikar recognizes the fact that these rights have been incorporated into the Constitution as fundamental principles of state policy and fundamental rights of all persons. Most codified laws are also in force to protect the rights of the citizens and the persons living in Bangladesh but at the same time, it is convinced that due to the lack of proper enforcement these laws have been rendered ineffectual. The root causes of the violation of human rights are the lack of knowledge and the lack of voice of the people and poor governance in the government agencies. For total development of the country, it is essential that endeavors are taken to instill the respect and knowledge of the laws, rights and obligations amongst the public. This is possible through the enforcement and promotion of Human Rights and as such Manabadhikar sees itself as a force and partner of choice in this movement and dedicates itself to promoting the administration of justice, the Rule of Law and secures legal guarantees for the protection of the basic Human Rights of persons in Bangladesh. To achieve the objectives, the Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastabayan Sangstha (Manabadhikar)has a membership of 7,682 voluntary activists in its 358 Chapters located at City Corporations, districts and sub-district level. This makes Manabadhikar an effective tool in guaranteeing access to justice for all irrespective of gender, class, ethnicity etc.

 

Head Office Address:
Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastobayan Sangstha
Manabadhikar Bhaban
04, College Road
Shahbag, Dhaka-1000
Bangladesh

 

Contact Person & Mailing Address:

Mostafa Sohel Ahmad
Executive Director
04, College Road, Shahbag, Dhaka-1000
Phone : +8802 – 956 8224
Cell : +88 – 01711642346
Email : mostafa.sohel@gmail.com, mostafa.sohel@manabadhikar.org
Website: www.manabadhikar.org

Legal Status:

1. Registered under the Directorate of Social Services, Government of Bangladesh vides Registration No. Dh-02265, date : 10-04-1989
2. Registered under the Joint Stock Companies & Firms Bangladesh, vide no. S-632 / 8, 1978 – 1979
3. Registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh Government Registration, Vide No. 163, Date: 18 – 04 – 1984.

Strategic framework

Vision of Manabadhikar
To create an enabling, conducive and trustworthy mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights for the poor and vulnerable people

Mission:
Manabadhikar seeks to realize the promotion and protection of human rights through awareness education, investigation, legal support services, research and policy advocacy on the various instance of violence, policies and infringement of rights, abuse of power negligent exercise of authorities which result in deprivation, oppression and injustices as well as violation of human rights

5 year Program goal (2017 – 2021)
To protect & promote human rights of the poor
& vulnerable people by empowering them, facilitate to make accountable the relevant duty bearers, providing legal support, & functioning judiciary systems

Core Values

Integrity:
We act consisting with Manabadhikar’s mission, be honest and transparent in what we do and say, and accept responsibility for our collective and individual actions

Respect:
Respect for the dignity and worth of every human being. We affirm the dignity, potential and contribution of participant, donors, partners and staff

Excellence:
We constantly challenge ourselves to higher levels of performance to achieve grater impacts

Commitment to services:
We work together effectively to serve the larger community.

Organizational Principle
Uphold human rights – Uphold Organizational core value – Gender equity – Commitment to work – Transparency & Accountability – Participation – Civil society engagement

Strategic Directions (2017 – 2021)

Rights and social Justice
Legal aid support and influencing policies & practices at all levels to promote human rights & social justice

Social Accountability
Developing a functional model that can be replicated throughout the country in order to promote and protect human rights as well to improve the access to justice.

Constituency Building
Development of constituency within the frame work/ areas

Chapter
Strengthen the capacity of the chapter to utilize skilled & experienced volunteer to enforce human rights

Reformation
Organizational restructuring to cope with and address new challenges

Policy Level Management
Manabadhikar has necessary policy-procedures and practices to ran the organization effective and efficiently which are:

1. HR and Administrative policy
2. Financial policy
3. Procurement policy (Including Emergency Procurement policy use for disaster management)
4. Vehicle Management policy
5. Gender policy
6. Environment policy

Working Areas
We cover 59 districts out of 64 districts in the country through its 358 chapters at districts and sub-district level. These areas are covered by two types of personnel i.e. paid staff and non-paid volunteers.

Human Resources
At present we have 118 full time paid staff in 7 districts and 7564 non-paid volunteers in 358 chapters all over the country.

Types of Staff	Senior Level		Mid-Level		Field Level		Total		Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
Regular Staff	4	11	14	18	27	44	45	73	118
Voluntarily Staff	64	224	1008	4468	710	1120	1782	5812	7564
Total	68	235	1022	4486	737	1164	1827	5885	7682

 

List of projects implemented by the organization during last 5 years

Sl #	Name of Project	Major Focused	Working Area	Donor
01.	Good Governance and Enforcement of Human Rights (GG-EHR) project	Combating violence against women	Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Tangail, Jhenaidah, Natore	Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)
02.	Strengthening Human Rights Support through Enhancing Access to Justice (SHRAJ) Project”.	Access to Justice for Vulnerable Groups	Sylhet, Comilla, Pabna, Jessore, Satkhira, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Chapai Nawabganj	DANIDA
03.	Strengthening of Human Rights Supported Program of BSEHR”	Legal Aid, support & Investigation	All over Bangladesh	DANIDA
04.	Capacity Building of Women Candidates  and Observation of 8th Parliamentary Election	Knowledge building and  Election monitoring	All over Bangladesh	Asia Foundation
05.	Legal Assistance to the Poor and Women	Legal Aid	All over Bangladesh	Christian Aid
06.	Legal Assistance and Promotion of Legal Aid and Human Rights	Legal Aid & awareness	All over Bangladesh	Asia Foundation
07.	Promoting Community Empowerment to Prevent Trafficking (PCEPT)	Protection of human trafficking	Ramu of Coz’s Bazar	Winrock International
08.	Social Accountability to Ensure Human Rights (SAHR) Project	Protection and promoting of human rights	Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Tangail, Jhenaidah, Natore	MJF

Current Programs
All the activities / programs of Manabadhikar are aimed to protection and promotion of human rights. The current main activities of Manabadhikar are: 1. Awareness Education

One of the root causes of the violation of human rights is the lack of knowledge and the lack of voice of the people and poor governance in the government agencies. Awareness education to the target people both of service receivers and service providers including law enforcement agencies is one of the potential programs of the organization on calming and protection of human rights and social dignity. Various strategies and methods are being used in this awareness education e.g. training, poster, leaflet, bill-board, TV program, medial campaigning folk song, street drama etc. In this connection, we have a Training and Research Cell to develop appropriate and effective strategies for awareness education

For reach more people as a part of awareness building, the Organize undertakes many activities with electronic media. Some of awareness program using TV Channels are:

a. Aamader Ain – BTV, presenter Sigma Huda, Advocate, Secretary General of BSEHR
b. Mile Falak Rai – ATN Bangla, presenter Sigma Huda, Advocate, Secretary General of BSEHR
c. Chanchallyakar Mamla – ATN Bangla, Moderator the Executive Director of BSEHR
d. Ain O Jibon – NTV, Moderator the Executive Director of BSEHR

 

Name of Documentary Film/ TV Spot

1. অধিকার (Rights ): Supported by: Manusher Jonno Foundation
2. নায্য পাওনা (Right to wages): Supported by: Royal Danish Embassy Danida
3. আমাদের অরণ্য আমাদের ভূমি (Our forest our land ): Supported by: Royal Danish Embassy Danida
4. Broken Dream (subject: Trafficking), Supported by: Manabadhikar (own fund)
5. গণতন্ত্রের লাগি – প্রামান্য ভিডিও চিত্র: – For Democracy – Documentary Video clip, (own fund)

 

2. Parallel Investigation /fact-findings

On the basis noticed received through Thana monitoring, outsourcers’ information and newspapers the organization conducts parallel investigate the cases important on the ground of human rights. Findings of parallel investigations conducted in selected cases are documented and referred to the relevant authority as appropriate. And at the same time provide further assistance needs for the particular case (including legal aid, mediation, appropriate legal & judicial steps, procuring evidence & witnesses etc.). Further, the fact-findings mission on national sensitive and public interest cases for evidences to share with wider audience with the aims to develop

common opinion for policy advocacy (policy advocacy refers to – (1) policy implementation (2) policy reformation (3) policy formation – which is needed)

3. Mediation

There are many issues / disputes with the families in the communities could be solved through arbitration / mediation. Many of the poor helpless women, children and men victims don’t get proper justice due to lack of understanding what to do. Very often they are also deprived by the local traditional leaders. To assist to the victims of family / social conflicts this organization provides mediation / ambition support for proper solution in legal framework. We have mediation facilities at every chapter of 312 chapters along with 7 mediation centre in big cities of the country. During the period of 2010-11 we facilitated 7,488 successful mediation across the country.

 

4. Legal Aid support

Legal Aid Support to victims to access to justice is one of the main programs of Manabadhikar. Access to justice is not always easy to the poor and vulnerable people in our country. In many cases the poor and helpless victims do not feel encourage to go to court for justice, rather s/he accept injustice / unfair settlement made by the local influence people. This organization has more then 2500 lawyers all over the country to provide legal aid support. Some of sensitive legal battles are (from Manabadhikar archive)

Released Azmat, an innocent boy, confined in the Jail Hazat for ten years without any trial  Azmat was arrested in 1977, charged with the crime of selling foreign cigarettes. He did not know that selling foreign cigarettes is illegal. He was confined in the Jail Hazat for ten years without trial. The Manabadhikar provided legal aid support and acquitted him in 1987. Case against Bangladesh Navy-men for compensations Villagers were tortured and their houses were burnt by Bangladesh Navy-men at Bandartilla in Chittagong in 1993 to grab the land. The organization took stand on victim’s side. This is the first case against the Navy in Bangladesh. The case is in final stage to verdict. Unlawful Detention resulting compensation by the government: Falu Miah (32) was arrested in 1973 in the charge of theft. A final report was submitted in favor of Falu Miah, but he was never produced at the court, held captive in jail for 21 years without any trial. Manabadhikar appealed to the court for his release and compensation. Falu Miah was released and ordered the government to pay TK. 3,44,333 to Falu Miah as compensation. Yasmin Rape & murder case and capital punishment: Yasmin, a 15-year-old girl, was gang-raped and killed by the police on August 24, 1995 at Dashmile in Dinajpur. Manabadhikar, along with some other organizations, provided legal aid support to the victim. The court finally gave the verdict to execute the three criminals and the death penalty was made effective in 2004. Rubel Murder case: Shamim Reza Rubel, a student of Independent university, was killed by Detective Branch (DB) police torture on July 23, 1998. Manabadhikar provided legal aid to the victim after conducting investigation about the affair and supported the family of the victim fully from the very beginning of the case. Finally the court punished the criminals. Jalal Murder case: Jalal’s body was found in a water tank of DB police headquarters on March 25, 1999. Manabadhikar conducted investigation and gave all out legal aid support to the victim. A police Inspector along with two other police personnel were arrested, their job sacked and the case is running. Death Sentence of the innocent Shah Alam Babu: Shah Alam Babu, who was falsely accused of murdering on March 14, 1998, replacing original killer Sundar Babu. As a result, innocent Shah Alam Babu was sentenced to death following the trial. Manabadhikar investigated the case, brought out the truth in daylight. Finally, the High Court save the innocent Shah Alam and punish the culprit Sundar Babu. So-call 7 children of Ex- Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anisur Rahman: Manabadhikar investigated the suspicious numbers of children of ex DIG and filed a case on 02 June 2006 asked for sibling/DNA test to prove that the kids are from same mother. The Court passed an order for DNA test. DNA /sibling test proved that these 7 children are not brother and sister each other. The organization filed a child trafficking case against the ex-DIG and his wife. Finally in April 18, 2012 the high court gave verdict punishing the accused couples for life imprison. Stating Mothers Name on Childs Documents:   Manabadhikar submitted a writ petition to the High Court Division to issue an order to state mother’s name along with father’s name on all documents in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights UN and the article. 26(1), 27 and 28(1) of the constitution of Bangladesh which states that men and women hold equal status. The court ordered in favor of the petitioner and consequently it is stated,

 

5. On-spot monitoring (Thana, court hajat, hospital)

Victims come to Thana to file FIR / GD or case with the aims to get justice as well as to punish the culprits, but very often their FIR / GD or cases don’t lodge / file appropriately dueto lack of adequate knowledge or due to negligence of the assigned police officers. This practice is more acute in the case of poor and helpless women, children and men. At a result, the cases become dismiss or jeopardize in the trial a court. To establish a mechanism at Police Station to provide support the victims professionally and lodge their allegations properly and correctly for justice, the organization has an activity named ‘On-spot monitoring’ to monitor and support of the Thaana, court heat, hospital since 2004. At present we monitoring 30 Thanes, 6 Hospitals and 6 . Court heat in Dhaka, Chittagong, Chula, Nature, Tang ail and Jhenaigh through SAHR Project

 

6. Policy advocacy and Research Initiatives

Advocacy and research initiatives strengthen and increased effectiveness of our programs. Manabadhikar credibility and acceptability has been proved through successful advocacy at policy level. A number of research initiatives has been undertaken to supplement the advocacy. An overview of some recent successful advocacy research initiatives are:

1. As a member of coalition citizens’ initiatives on domestic violence, Manabadhikar has been involved in drafting rules for implementation of the domestic violence prevention and protection act.
2. Dialogue with the relevant stakeholders organized to form National Minimum Wage for RMG Workers. Moreover, recommendation forwarded to the Ministry of Labor and Employment on labour policy 2010
3. As a result of advocacy initiatives Government of Bangladesh allocated 29 Core 45 Lac Taka for disability in National Budget in 2011-12
4. Advocacy initiatives contributed to incorporate the correction and addition on human rights issues in primary and secondary level text books.

 

Study and Researches (last 3 years):

 

Sl #	Title of Study / Research	Lead by
01	Legal and Human Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Bangladesh	Dr. Asif Nazrul, Professor, Department of Law, Dhaka University
02	Review the Public interest litigation (PILs) field so far since the independence of Bangladesh	Dr. Rahmat Ullah, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Dhaka University
03	Study on duties and obligation of the law enforcing institute	Dr.. Golam Mostafa, Processor, Institute of social welfare and Research, Dhaka University

 

7. Young Leadership Development

To promote and protect human rights in a sustainable more it needs to change mind set of the community people. The young generation is the tomorrow’s leader. They, especially the students have potential influential over her / his family. Family is the primary unit of a community. If the rights and dignity of women and girl are recognized and practiced in families, then this will lead the whole community to do same.

With this aims to develop future leader and to influence family as well as community, this organization select the “student to family approach”. Under this approach we have an activity of orientation and motivate students of colleges, schools and madrasha. In last two years we oriented more 10,000 students and have target through providing human rights literacy, awareness sessions / classes and different events with the signing MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the selected institutions

 

8. Lifesaving & livelihood support

Providing lifesaving medicate to critically insured survivors and small assets transfer to extremely vulnerable survivors for mainstreaming in the society is one of our sub-activities. Sometimes some women become as extremely vulnerable losing all income earning means of living. In those cases they poorly need any way for living.

In these cases the organization supports them with small assets for their survival that will lead them to normal life and mainstream in the society.

9. Combat Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation. We are always active in country and abroad to combat trafficking in person. Some recent cases handled as bellows:

S.L. No.	Name of the Survivors	Age	Place of occurrence	Nature of Occurrence	Steps taken
1.	Bristi and Sabina	14, 16	368/5, (5th floor), Shewrapara, Mirpur, Dhaka	Make bound to work as prostitute	Investigated, rescued and handed over to their guardians including legal aid
2.	Chandra Rani , Bithi armocar	17	Buriganga River Bank, Kotwali, Dhaka	Trafficking & bound to prostitution	Investigated & rescued.
3.	Probably total 60 persons	14-27	Belacopa, Patershari, Kurigram	Probably trafficking	Rescued and legal steps  taken for punishment the traffickers
4.	Sohag and 4 others	9-11	Shahidnagar, Narayanganj	Trafficked and used as camel jockey	Investigated and legal steps taken
5.	18 Person	2-45	Jhenaidah/Cox’sbazar	Trafficked.	Rescued and handed over through court to DC Cox’s Bazar
6	DIG 7 children of ex-DIG	2-4	Badda, Dhaka	Probably trafficking	Rescued, legal steps  and punished

 

10. Public Interest Writ
This organization filed more then hundred writ petitions and 1261 criminal cases in favor of public interest. Some example is given below:

Writ Petition # 328/2011, Manabadhikar Vs Bangladesh Government Illegal kidney sale and transplant, Court ordered government to investigate the case, punish the criminals and take proper initiatives to stop this crime in future

Write Petition # 423/2012, Manabadhikar Vs Bangladesh Government Sale of 41 low quality banned food products in Market, Court ordered government to ensure not sale of listed 41 low quality food products and punish the producers and sellers

Writ Petition # 1992/2001, Arup Kumar Vs Bangladesh Government: 83 School’s teacher at didn’t get their salary for long years. The Court order government to give salary regularly and the order executed accordingly

Writ Petition # 473/2002, Manabadhikar Vs Bangladesh Government: Destroying environment by constructed the building at Lalan Shah Mazar, Kustia. The Court order to stop construction and construction stopped

Writ Petion# 247/2004, Manabadhikar Vs Bangladesh Government: Akale, a girl of 15, chained at legs in Hospital. The Akale rescued and the hospital authority punished.

Writ Petition # 5194/05, Manabadhikar vs Government: Eviction of Landless people at khas land in Noakhali Char. Stopped eviction

Women and Child Case # 08 (01) 99 Ms. Bulbuli Vs. Shima: Custody of minor girl in without prior approval of guardian. Released and punished accused

Writ Petition # 2202/2008, Marufa Akter Vs Government: HSC Examination Related. She got change to sit for examination

Writ Petition # 1254/99, Abdullah Vs Bangladesh Government: 19 years jail of Tanzanian citizen. Released

Writ Petition # 3262/04, ED-Manabadhikar Vs Bangladesh. Reserve women seat of parliament. Ordered in favor of Government

Writ Petition # 6326/03, Ferdousi Vs Bangladesh Government Eviction from homestead. Stopped eviction

11. Local Platform / Chapters strengthening
Local platforms are the basic strength of the organization to protect and to promote human rights across the country. To address the human rights issues all over the country, the Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastabayan Sangstha has a membership of 7,682 voluntary activists in its 358 Chapters located at City Corporations, districts and sub-district level. This makes Manabadhikar an effective tool in guaranteeing access to justice for all irrespective of gender, class, ethnicity etc. To strengthen and development of Chapters the organization organize National Convention in every two year with about 1500 (fifteen hundred) delegates from the chapters. The members of National Committee also nominated / elected by the delegates of the National Convention

National Committee

Members of the National Committee of this organization are devoted human rights activates with a good track record of human rights development in the country. Many of its members have considerable ability to influence the legislators and the policy makers at the national level. The current National Committee members are:

Chairman

Advocate Sigma Huda

Vice Chairman

Shireen Scheik Mainuddin

Secretary General

Advocate Jahanara Begum

Treasurer

Principal (Rtd) M.A Matin

Members:

Barrister Nazmul Huda

Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelley

Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury

Mr.Nayeemul Islam Khan

Advocate Ahmed Ali

Mr. Tarique Hyder

Prof.Dr. Muzaherul Huq

Prof(Rtd) Setara Begum

Advocate M A Matin

Afrin Khan ( Shopna).

Adv.Antara Selima Huda

Dithi Anower

Adv. Morsheda Begum( Lipi)

Md. Abdal Adil Alvi

Mostafa Sohel Ahmad (Executive Director)

 

Member-Divisional Representatives

Adv. Abdul Malek – Khulna

Adv. Abul Quasem – Rajshahi

Adv. Firozuddin Ahmed – Dhaka

Adv. Chowdhury Abdul Hai – Sylhet

Adv. Kabir Chowdhury – Chittagong

Adv. Shafi Kamal – Rangpur

Mahbub Morshed Samim– Barishal

Revised by
Training, Research and Communication (TDC) Cell
Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastabayan Sangstha