CHAPTER SIX Challenges and the Way Forward NHRC- An independent watchdog of Human Rights Areas of Success yThe NHRC, a human rights watchdog, a statutory independent body, established under Human Rights Commission Act 2009 in light of 'Paris Principles', had undertaken a good number of positive initiatives during 2012, with the aim of promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh. Remarkable progress had been made in the area of policy advocacy, human rights awareness. The NHRC acted as a catalyst in linking State, Civil Society Organizations, Stakeholders, discussing the role of the respective Ministries and the NHRC, in the follow-up of the implementation of the recommendations made during 1st Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2009 and also ensuring Stakeholders input in the preparation of the Stakeholder Report of NHRC submitted to the UN Human Rights Council for 2nd Cycle Review in April, 2013. yThe NHRC has carried out its activities throughout the year on human rights issues identified as priorities set forth in the five-year Strategic Plan adopted in 2010. yThe NHRC focused on the lessons learnt in the previous years and thus ensured dialogue and consultation with the stakeholders; made recommendations for ensuring compliance with international standards, conducted wide human rights research and policy advocacy, worked together with the Government towards legislative and policy reform, while maintaining its independence. yThe NHRC learned that in 2012 the Parliament passed the Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act 2012 and Pornography Control Act 2012 in which the NHRC was involved in organizing a series of Consultations and Dialogue with the Stakeholders for providing recommendations for the enactment of these pieces of legislation aligned with the international frameworks. yNumber of complaints received and disposed of by the NHRC increased significantly in 2012 which reflects a significant improvement in the level public awareness about human rights in general and the NHRC in particular. yWhile implementing its Strategic Plan, the NHRC in collaboration with the key actors have indentified minorities and vulnerable groups and helped formation of specific Committees to address the NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT, 2012 53