Support for universal human rights is a core element of UNDP’s mandate. UNDP has been a consistent supporter of the Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission both up to and following its launch in 2007, and its renewal in 2009. The Commission has been critical to improving the public’s recognition of human rights issues – the number of people who were aware of their human rights increased 40% between 2011 and 2015 (from 48.6% recognition to 68%). The Commission has acted as a critical new voice in support of human rights, changing attitudes and advocating for new human rights approaches from within government. In addition, UNDP actively engages prominent Bangladesh-based human rights advocates and monitoring organizations, helping them to expand their activities, influence and outreach. Respect for human rights is an essential foundation that will strengthen and reinforce Bangladesh’s progress towards each of its other Sustainable Development Goals, and UNDP remains a committed partner in helping Bangladesh become an ever more equitable society.

What we do

The Human Rights Programme (HRP) will build the capacity of existing human rights architectures in Bangladesh. The Programme is supporting state based institutions, with a special focus on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as well as key civil society interventions to improve human rights coalitions across the country. The Programme has a particular focus on working with vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women and girls, children and young people, ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, Dalit and other minorities.  The Programme has 5 following outputs:

• Strengthened capacity of the National Human Rights Commission to deliver on its mandate
• Enhanced capacity of civil society and community based organisations to engage in human rights advocacy and awareness raising
• Enhanced capacity of law enforcement agencies, in particular police, on human rights issues
• Strengthened capacity of national stakeholders to better protect and promote women’s rights
• Strengthened capacity of national stakeholders to better protect and promote the rights of ethnic minorities