We have monitored and prepared a
database of allegation of human rights
violations and directed necessary
recommendations
to
concerned
authorities. We think that these
interventions have made certain
positive impact in the protection of
human rights.
During
this
pandemic
situation, due to the dynamic
leadership of present Commission, the
NHRC has taken a number of steps
among which one of the most
remarkable ones has been conducting a
National Inquiry on violence against
women and children (VAWC) with
focus on rape, for this formation of
National Inquiry Committee, with the
objective to identity the causes, types
and challenges of the issue. The
Committee will prepare a report and
NHRC will send recommendations to
concerned authorities. The report will
be published before the end of 2022.
Besides,
the
present
Commission is working to fulfill its
dream of making the NHRC a
digitalized office. We have already
introduced e-File (e-Nothi) and are
working to introduce an Integrated
Office Management System, which
will pave the way of our work. And the
service delivery of this institution will
be better ensured with transparency
and accountability.
The NHRC has started
preparing 3rd Five Year Strategic
Plan. In this plan, ideas, priorities and
the planned activities of the present
Commission will be incorporated. I
think the lessons learned from the
Covid-19 crisis will be reflected in the
20
Strategic Plan. We have known that
many countries of the world have
adopted a National Action Plan (NAP)
on human rights. The NHRC is also
envisaging of developing a NAP on
human rights . We hope we will move
forward with an inclusive and
participatory process by engaging the
wider stakeholders where we will be
able to advance human rights agenda
aligning with the priorities, plans and
activities of State and the government
through adoption of a National Action
Plan on human rights.
I would like to summarize the
experiences and lessons learned from
Covid-19. We need to have the
preparedness for responding to any
challenge we may face in the future.
But we should always bear in mind
that in this preparation, human rights
practice is a must. As human rights are
inalienable, we need to remember that
all our efforts need to be compatible
with human rights principles and
standards. This means, measures
taken for evading health vulnerability
should not be contradictory with
fundamental rights and freedoms. On
the other hand, people should also not
violate the laws, rules and regulations
as we have some duty to protect the
rights of others. So in the end , I would
like to say that universal partnership is
very important for dealing with all
types of challenges as mentioned in
SDG 17.
Kazi Arfan Ashik
Director (Admin & Finance)
National Human Rights Commission