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Improved Access to Human Rights for People in Bangladesh

Project completed

Despite the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Human Rights (HR) violations are still very much present in Bangladesh, especially in the rural areas. The present project will make available funding to support the NHRC as well as the country’s leading HR NGO in their endeavour to improve promotion and protection of HR country-wide. The project is part of a joint undertaking of a consortium of like-minded donor partners.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bangladesh
Human rights
Governance
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Legal and judicial development
15.07.2012 - 31.12.2016
 CHF  2’000’000
The project in brief
Background

The increased commitment of the Government and existence of reputed NGOs have created a window of opportunity to strengthen the action and coordination between the different stakeholders. From a Swiss perspective, promotion of respect of HR is a priority and an essential part of achieving effective pro-poor socially inclusive governance. Switzerland is part of a coalition of like-minded countries (with Denmark, Sweden, and Norway).
Objectives

The goal of the project is to improve protection and promotion of human rights in Bangladesh through capacity building for the Government, the National Human Rights Commission and the leading human rights NGOs, particularly to benefit disadvantaged and vulnerable groups such as the poor, women, children and ethnic minorities – ultimately improving the environment for the reduction of extreme poverty.
Target groups

  • The people of Bangladesh, with a specific focus on the poor, women and most marginalized segments of local communities.
  • CBOs will be the primary participants, raising awareness among communities and assisting them in filing complaints to the NHRC.
Medium-term outcomes

 

  • The combined action of the NHRC and HR NGOs has increased knowledge of the people on their basic rights and enhanced their capabilities to take action against HR violation;
  • The action of NHRC and NGOs has created pressure for enforced HR (with public education, information, advocacy and legal aid) and offered advice for improved legislation;
  • The NHRC has become a serious, well functioning, independent, sufficiently staffed and internationally accredited body.

    •  
    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

     

  • SDC has already supported the NHRC in a short previous phase (Partial Action 1 of the project). In the last months, the NHRC has strongly developed.
  • The leading Bangladeshi HR NGO, which will be supported newly under Partial Action 2 of the project, has been subject to external evaluation and conducted the necessary strategic planning.

    •  
    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    United Nations Organization (UNO)
    • United Nations Development Programme
    • PA 1: UNDP and NHRC; PA 2: Local NGO ASK


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’776’489
    Project phases Phase 3 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)

    Phase 2 15.07.2012 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)

    • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
      GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
      GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
      Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
      Human rights
      Human rights
      Legal and judicial development
      Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
      Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
      Finance type Aid grant
      Aid Type Project and programme contribution
      Tied/untied aid Untied aid
      Project number

      7F07627

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    Last update 14.07.2021