CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The Na�onal Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is an independent statutory ins�tu�on established by an Act of Parliament, the Na�onal Human Rights Commission Act (NHRC Act) 2009. A structure for a Na�onal Human Rights Commission was put in place in 2007 through an Ordinance. However, the NHRC was recons�tuted in 2010 by the enactment of the NHRC Act 2009 as a State ins�tu�on to promote, protect, and ensure human rights. The purpose of establishing such a unique ins�tu�on is to ensure human rights of the people by protec�ng the right to life, right to liberty, right to equality, and right to dignity of people as guaranteed in the Cons�tu�on of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and different interna�onal human rights instruments. The spirit of establishment of such an ins�tu�on is to create a culture of human rights through public awareness and enlightenment on diverse human rights issues so that the inalienable fundamental human rights of people are protected and the human rights situa�on is improved in the country. The key func�ons of the NHRC is as follows: • • • • Undertaking human rights educa�on and awareness programmes for people. Providing advice to ensure the State meets its interna�onal and domes�c humanrights commitments. Receiving, inves�ga�ng, resolving complaints of human rights viola�ons and provide redress. Monitoring the human rights situa�on in the country and the ac�ons of the State and make recommenda�on for appropriate steps. 1.2 Ra�onale The 3rd Strategic Plan is developed to guide the NHRC to achieve its mandate and provide a focus for the next five years in the light of the emerging global, regional, na�onal, and county trends. In this regard, the NHRC realized and felt the need to review key aspects of its strategy, including its corporate statements, to align them to the dynamic environment be�er to achieve its mandate effec�vely and successfully. Similarly, the core values and strategic objec�ves are planned to be sharpened as guiding principles and goals for the coming years. Planning is a guiding principle for the effec�ve func�oning of any successful organiza�on. Based on the NHRC mandates and set priori�es, this document endeavours 07