Annual Report 2016 Chapter: 5 Challenges and Way Forward NHRIs perform an extensive range of functions. The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh is no exception. NHRC Bangladesh is mandated under the Act No 53 of 2009, to conduct inquiries either suo-moto or on a petition, inspect prisons and places of detention, review laws and make recommendations to the Government, review factors inhibiting the safeguards of human rights, to research and study instruments on human rights, to examine draft bills, advise governments on international human rights instruments, promote and raise public awareness on human rights, coordinate efforts of non- governmental organizations and provide legal assistance to aggrieved parties to vindicate their rights before competent forums. Given this wide mandate of NHRC Bangladesh, as an institution it has to be skilled, updated with national and international developments, strategic and apply human rights based approach at all times. While much progress has been achieved there are still challenges to overcome. 1. Human Resources At present in addition to one Chairman and six members, there is one Secretary and 47 officers and staff. The Secretary and two Directors are working on deputation from the Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh. Though the proposed organogram includes 141 positions, the 93- newpositions are in the process of approval. The 33 NHRC is working with the government to fill these positions. Since the existing service rule of the Commission doesn’t have the retirement package and other government facilities the trained and experienced officers have a tendency to quit the job and join in the government/ institution for better service benefits.As such the NHRC as a state institution strongly feels that the service benefit including pension and other facilities existing in the government rules should be incorporated to the service rule of the Commission. Despite human resource constraints, the Commission has adopted innovative ways to operate in a cost-effective manner. Taking advantage of the expansion of access to new technologies, plans are underway to install video conferencing facility connecting the main office in Dhaka with the regional offices, providing the opportunity to victims of human rights violation to directly speak with inquiry officers and commission members in Dhaka. Inquiries and interviews are also planned to be conducted via video conferencing when and where appropriate. This system will be used as a means of public information dissemination supplemented by other tools such as websites and SMS campaigns. At present NHRC has established 2 regional offices and it is expected to quadruple by June 2018 to cover all eight divisions of the country.