The National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh was constituted by the enactment of the National Human Rights Commission Act (NHRC) 2009 in light of the ‘Paris Principles’ with the aim of promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh. As per the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, the key functions of the NHRC is to raise awareness and to provide human rights education and training, human rights and research and policy advocacy, monitoring and investigation of human rights violations.  In addition to the key functions Section 19(6) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009, provides that the Commission have the right to compete as a party to any case or legal proceeding involving allegation of violating human rights pending before any Court.

Accordingly, in May 2017 NHRC has appointed 100 Panel lawyers in 40 dictricts for providing legal aid to the victims of human rights violation.  To orient the Panel lawyers on the role of NHRC in providing legal aid to the victims of human rights violations, key considerations in handling cases on human rights violations, ethics and standard operating procedure (SOP) applicable to Panel Lawyers the National Human Rights Commission organized the orientation programme on 19^th August 2017 at CIRDAP Auditorium.

Kazi Reazul Hoque, Hon’ble Chairman, NHRCB presided over the program. In his speech, he said, “NHRCB will support the people who are unable to fight in court due to poverty and other socio-economic reasons. This free legal aid support will help the victims of human rights violations to get justice.”

Mr. M A Mannan MP, Hon’ble State Minister, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh attended the program as the Chief Guest. Mr. Abdul Baset Majumder, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Vice-Chairman, Bangladesh Bar Council; Mr. A.S.S.M Zahirul Haque, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ; Mr. Justice M. Enayetur Rahim, Hon’ble Justice, High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh & Chairman, Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee and Ms. Sharmeela Rassool, CTA-HRP, UNDP graced the program as the Special Guests. Md. Nazrul Islam, Full Time Member delivered welcome speech.