CHAPTER : 02 Human Rights Outlook in 2019 This year Bangladesh ranks 50th among 149 countries in World Gender Gap Report1. Bangladesh continues to consolidate its position as the region's top performer in closing gender inequality. For the fifth time Bangladesh ranks top country in the region. The country reduces gender discrimination in 72.6% sectors. Among four sub index Bangladesh has strengthened its position in women’s political empowerment. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holding power for long term. As a result, the country has become world famous in this index. Unicef awarded “Champion for Skill Development for Youth Award” to the hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has been nominated as Member of UN Human Rights Council for three times including this year. These are Bangladesh’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. It also indicates that sustained positive progress has been made in economic, social and cultural rights of citizens. However, progress in civil and political rights has been limited. This chapter highlights human rights outlook of 2019. 2.1 Rohingya Crisis NHRCB welcomes Gambia’s application against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the alleged violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).It has been two years since Rohingyas, the persecuted people of Myanmar fled to Bangladesh after 2017 crisis. Since then more than one million Rohingyas have taken shelter in temporary camps in Cox’s Bazar. Bangladesh government has responded generously as usual. Rohingyas are given fundamental rights there by providing them with food, shelter and other necessary things. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been awarded two international awards -- the IPS International Achievement Award and the 2018 Special Distinction Award for Leadership -- for her humanitarian and responsible policy in hosting the Rohingyas and for her far-sighted leadership over the Rohingya issue. Speaking as the Chief Guest, hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of human rights day 2019 in the program of NHRC said that Bangladesh has been negotiating with Myanmar in a peaceful way to solve the crisis and repatriate the Rohingyas. She also urged the international community for their active role in solving the crisis. The local people of Cox’s Bazar are affected by the stay of more than one million Rohingyas. Their daily lives are hampered and their basic necessities require government attention. NHRC raises concern over this issue. As a result of their stay, relation between host community and Rohingya are becoming worse day by day. In 2018, crimes by Rohingyas increased so rapidly that threat to security in that region became a matter of concern for all. The situation has yet to be improved.Thus, NHRC urges government to continue strong diplomatic steps and expedite the process of solving Rohingya crisis. 2.2 Disappearance: According to media reports, some disappearance incidences happened in 2019. In many cases victims returned home, but the whereabouts of some others were unknown. 1. Global Gender Gap Report 2019 16