CHAPTER: 02 Human Rights Outlook in 2018 Bangladesh has made a remarkable progress in closing gender gap held the top position among South Asian countries in ensuring gender equality. Bangladesh consolidates its position as the region's top performer and breaks into the top five in the global index on the Political Empowerment sub-index this year, recording progress on closing its political gender gap, despite a widening gender gap in terms of labour force participation.1 Bangladesh has been ranked 34th in World Economic Forum’s Inclusive Development Index's list of emerging economies, way ahead of South Asian competitors India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.2 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 2018. 2.1 Rohingya Crisis More than 700000 Rohingyas are staying in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh after the latest influx Since August 2017. The Bangladesh government has responded generously throughout the latest crisis. Bangladesh has been provided the Rohingyas with shelter, food and other fundamental rights. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received 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. Nearly all who arrived during the influx have sought shelter in and around the refugee settlements of Kutupalong and Nayapara in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district. Some have joined relatives there. The enormous scale of the influx is putting an immense pressure on the Bangladeshi host community and existing facilities and services. NHRCB expresses deep concern about the rights of host communities. Rights of the local community in Cox’s Bazar are being hampered due to the critical situation created by the asylum seekers. In 2018, crimes committed by the rohingyas increased creating a threat to the law and order situation. NHRCB urges government to continue strong diplomatic efforts to solve Rohingya crisis in an earliest convenience. 2.2 Disappearance: According to media reports, some disappearance incidence occurred in 2018. Mention may be made to Shajol Chowdhury’s abduction. Mr. Shajol, owner of several businesses including a ship breaking venture in Chittagong, has returned home a week after being abducted. The businessman was taken from Bashundhara residential area on March 11. Around 12pm on Sunday Shajol returned home. “I was put in a car around 10pm last night. They dropped me off near a mosque in Comilla’s 1 Global Gender Gap Report 2018 2 Inclusive Development Index Report 2018, World Economic Forum Annual Report-2018 17