ANNUAL REPORT 2011 rights awareness and the mandate of the Commission. Research participants gained knowledge about the NHRC and human rights issues facing the country. Moreover, the results of the survey provide the project with baselines for monitoring and evaluation and have informed Commission decisions regarding priority thematic issues on which to target its efforts. Among others Hon'ble Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed in a program on "A Baseline Survey on Human Rights in Bangladesh" The findings of the survey were shared with different targeted stakeholders through a national sharing meeting organized on November 1, 2011 in Dhaka. Key findings highlighted included the fact that half of the survey respondents had not heard the word human rights, and there is a general lack of knowledge among citizens about their rights, and the protection of these rights under the laws of Bangladesh. The survey report emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness around human rights, accompanied by a campaign to inform people of where they may go to seek redress if their rights have been violated. Also highlighted in the survey results was the fact that genderbased violence remains a great concern in Bangladesh. recommendations made on the National Women Policy and review of national legislation such as the Law on Human Trafficking, the Child Act and reforms of the Constitution in order to ensure that new laws and policies are consistent with international human rights standards. Comments on the Law on Human Trafficking related to the investigation and prosecution of cases as well as victim protection. The Commission’s recommendations on constitutional amendments focused on human rights issues, specifically the recognition of basic necessities as fundamental rights; rejecting the legitimacy of any form of torture; and recognition of indigenous peoples. Within this framework, the NHRC has initiated a dialogue with the Government on the review of the recommendations made to Bangladesh during the 2009 Universal Periodic Review. 3 Roundtable meeting on National Women Development Policy. Leading women’s rights activists groups joined together with representatives of government institutions and the Commission at a roundtable discussion in May 2011. The objective of the meeting was to create a bridge between groups on opposing sides of the National Women Policy debate. The Commission facilitated the discussion and encouraged constructive dialogue among the 2 NHRC provides law and policy recommendations to GoB. The Commission provided policy advice to the Government of Bangladesh through 46 NHRC members on a round table discussion on "Women Rights"