The organizations represented here firmly denounce the conviction of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar in Bangladesh. On 14 September 2023, the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal sentenced Khan and Elan to two years in prison with a fine of 10,000 Bangladeshi Taka under the draconian digital security
Leaders of Prominent Rights Group Convicted on Trumped-Up Charges [14 September 2023] Bangladesh authorities should immediately release human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, quash their convictions, and end all reprisals against them for their legitimate human rights work, said 72 organizations today. Khan and Elan were sentenced by
Today, 14 September 2023, marks a significant juncture in the pursuit of justice as we await the verdict in the case of Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) stands in solidarity with Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar. We urge the
10th August marks ten years of extreme state repression on Odhikar. On 10 August 2013, Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan was picked up by members of the Detective Branch (DB) of Police for publishing a report on extrajudicial killings, centering around the Hefazate Islam rally that took place on 5th and 6th
The human rights violations in the first three months of 2023 are a continuation of the human rights violations that have been going on for the past 14 years. After the current Awami League government came to power in 2009, it has been using all the state institutions, including the Election Commission,
ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, published the findings of their monitoring of the human rights situation in the country during the second quarter of 2022. From April to June 2022, Odhikar recorded five cases of extrajudicial killings, five cases of enforced disappearances, 19 deaths in jails, among many other human rights violations
We, the undersigned international democracy advocates, strongly denounce the Government of Bangladesh’s decision to deregister prominent human rights NGO Odhikar and express our unwavering solidarity with the group. In early June 2022, Bangladesh’s NGO Affairs Bureau under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office denied the group’s application for renewal of registration.
ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, published the findings of their monitoring of the human rights situation in the country during the first quarter of 2022. From January to March 2022, Odhikar recorded nine cases of extrajudicial killings, two cases of enforced disappearances, 26 deaths in jails, among many other human rights violations
Dhaka/Geneva, 25 June 2021: Odhikar and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) remember and pay tribute to victims of torture and stand in solidarity with the victims and their families on the occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (26 June). The institutionalised practice of custodial torture by the
3 May is World Press Freedom Day, as recognised by the United Nations. This year’s theme for World Press Freedom Day, “Information as a Public Good”, serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing reliable information as a public good. However, while this day is being commemorated all over the
Human rights group Odhikar released their 2020 report on the human rights violations including the state of the electoral system in Bangladesh. Odhikar said in the report that "the Awami League government and the Election Commission have completely destroyed the electoral system depriving the people of their right to vote in all
ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, said in their 2020 second quarter report on the human rights situation in the country that the persecution against them since 2013 continues until this day. The registration of Odhikar has not been renewed until now since they applied to the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) under the
The confidence in the government and the electoral system of Bangladesh continue to decline as lack of interest in the local elections held in the first quarter of 2020 amid the rampant fraudulent activities was observed, human rights organization Odhikar said in their 2020 first quarter report. "Several by-elections of the Jatiya
Statement to commemorate International Women's Day Dhaka: March 06, 2020 Odhikar is observing International Women’s Day on 8th March 2020, with deep concern, as women in Bangladesh are subjected to unchecked, widespread gender-based violence. Domestic abuse against women are a routine phenomenon and forms of discrimination against them are prevalent in every
First published on the website of Odhikar. Dhaka, 09 October 2019: Odhikar was established on 10 October 1994, as an organisation of human rights defenders, by some activists who participated in the struggle against the autocratic regime of Lieutenant General Hussein Mohammad Ershad. Bangladesh gained independence after huge sacrifices and equality, human
Full Report: Pre-election report_Odhikar This report has been prepared based on an analysis of the overall pre-electoral situation leading up to the 11th National Parliament elections. Odhikar has been under severe state-level oppression and harassment, due to its strong protests and campaigns against human rights violations and for publishing reports on the inactions
Full Report: Odhikar November 2018 HRR This report has been prepared based on the overall human rights situation in November 2018 where violations of civil and political rights, including state repression and deprivation of the right to life were analysed. Odhikar publishes this report at a time when false and baseless reports
Full report: October 2018 Odhikar Human Rights "This report has been prepared based on the overall human rights situation in October 2018 where violations of civil and political rights, including state repression and deprivation of the right to life were analysed. The country's human rights situation has been serious cause for concern since
Odhikar has, since 1994, been monitoring the human rights situation in Bangladesh in order to promote and protect civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Bangladeshi citizens and to report on violations and defend the victims. Odhikar does not believe that the human rights movement merely endeavours to protect the „individual‟
Dhaka, 6 September 2018: Odhikar expresses its strong condemnation over the statement of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Mohammad Mahabubor Rahman regarding the extrajudicial killings taking place in the name of ‘anti-drug operation’ by members of the law enforcement agencies. On September 4, Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman stated in a meeting, “Drug dealers keep arms
Full Report: Odhikar August 2018 Human Rights Report The human rights situation of August 2018 has been reviewed in this report. The Awami League government, after reassuming power for a second term, through the 2014 controversial Parliamentary election, has created a state of fear in the country by suppressing people and violating civil
Full report: Odhikar Bangladesh July 2018 Human Rights Report The human rights situation of July 2018 has been analyzed in this report. The main element of democratic rule – the electoral system – has been destroyed through the farcical National elections of 2014 and the Awami League reassumed power for a second term,
Press Statement Quota Reform Movement: Immediately arrest the Chhatra League perpatrators; reform the quota! Odhikar would like to express its immense concern and condemnation regarding the horrific attacks by the Chhatra League leaders have unleashed on students protesting for the reformation of the quota on government jobs, since 30 June 2018; along
Foreword Odhikar has been monitoring the human rights situation in Bangladesh in order to promote and protect civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Bangladeshi citizens and to report on violations and defend the victims since 1994. Odhikar does not believe that the human rights movement merely endeavours to protect the
The human rights situation of May 2018 has been analyzed in this report. The country's human rights situation was found to be deteriorating since 2009, which has since become of serious concern due to the repressive attitude and policies of the government; while has returned to power through the farcical elections of
1-31 March 2018 Executive Summary The month of March is very significant in the history of Bangladesh. In 1971 the people of this country became resilient against the exploitation and suppression of the West Pakistan regime and developed a struggle for independence in order to destroy the undemocratic rule of West Pakistan.
Odhikar believes that democracy is not merely a process of electing a ruler; it is the result of the peoples’ struggle for inalienable rights, which become the fundamental premise to constitute the State. Therefore, the individual freedoms and democratic aspirations of the citizens – and consequently, peoples’ collective rights and responsibilities -
Odhikar believes that democracy is not merely a process of electing a ruler; it is the result of the peoples’ struggle for inalienable rights, which become the fundamental premise to constitute the State. Therefore, the individual freedoms and democratic aspirations of the citizens – and consequently, peoples’ collective rights and responsibilities -
Executive Summary The human rights situation of Bangladesh in the first six months of 2016 was cause for grave concern. After the controversial and farcical Parliamentary elections, political intolerance, lack of effective institutions and wide-spread and varied human rights violations were the main obstacles to the exercise of democracy in Bangladesh. The
Further hindrance to freedom of expression and the media Political violence and vote rigging in Union Parishad elections Extrajudicial killings Shooting in the legs of detainees Allegations of enforced disappearance Public lynching continues Human rights violations along the border Human rights abuses on members of minority communities Violence against women Hindrance to