Foreword T his is the second Annual Report of the of the population. This year the Commission current Commission. The first report this sought to convey an unequivocal message to Commission submitted to the Honourable domestic and international governments and President of the People’s Republic of NGOs regarding reporting on the state of Bangladesh was in fact a half-year report, human rights in Bangladesh. The NHRC has since it covered the time period following the noticed, with some concern, that many reconstitution of the Commission in June domestic and international organizations 2010. This year’s report is in a true sense an confuse the “human rights situation” with the annual report as it has captured the “law and order situation”. In fact, there are performance of the Commission The report presents the achievements and setbacks of the for 12 months, Commission over the last year. At the same time, it identifies f r o m J a n u a r y ongoing challenges facing the NHRC and offers strategies for t h r o u g h overcoming these obstacles which developed in large part because December 2011. of gaps between expectations and reality F r o m t h a t perspective, it is subtle but very distinct differences between the first complete annual report offered by these two concepts and never are they the Commission. The report presents the achievements and setbacks of the synonymous. Although an increased number Commission over the last year. At the same of killings, rapes, acid throwing incidents, etc., time, it identifies ongoing challenges facing may reflect the eroding law and order situation in a country, these crimes cannot be the NHRC and offers strategies for overcoming these obstacles which developed presumed to be direct evidence of human rights violations. in large part because of gaps between expectations and reality. The NHRC Annual Report 2010 introduced two main guiding The NHRC has stated repeatedly that though there is an important correlation between the principles for the Commission. First, the criminal activity and human rights violations, Commission’s strategy will follow a “rightstreating them as interchangeable is unethical, based but duty-oriented” approach. Second, given the realities of life for the people, offensive to the state and confusing to the special emphasis will be placed on economic, public. It is unacceptable and should be avoided. Rape and murder are, of course, social and cultural rights to place them criminal offenses and must be punished. alongside Commission efforts to protect and promote political and civil rights. Applying However, if there is no direct or indirect persuasion, influence or any other these principles has enabled the Commission responsibility of the state (any organ of state to bring a fresh perspective to human rights or agency employee), such an offense cannot protection, which has helped it engender the be treated as human rights violation by the respect and confidence of growing segments 05