Workshop on Universal Periodic Review held at Brac Inn.

The NHRC, Bangladesh in cooperation with UNDP, Danida, Sida and SDC organised a workshop, titled “Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Recommendations and Follow-up on Institutional Development” at BRAC center Inn on this thrusday. Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman was present there as chief guest. United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Neal Walker, acting chairman of Law Commission Prof Dr Shah Alam, executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) Barrister Sara Hossain, commission's full-time member Kazi Rezaul Hoque and NHRC honorary member Prof Niru Kumar Chakma spoke at the workshop.

The main theme of the workshop was “Institutional Devolopment”. Every speaker shared their thoughts about how to devolop different institutions in this country for a better future.

In his speech Dr. Mizanur Rahman shaid the Govt. Of Bangladesh must ensure human rights to fulfil its obligation to the intertional community. “All the institutions like The Anti Corruption Commision, The Law Commission, Election Commission must ensure human rights”, he said. He also added, “Institutional devolopment can not be justified by only upgrading the police force. It should be targeted towards common people’s devolpoment”. He mentioned about the lack of man power in the NHRC. Dr. Mizanur Rahman talked about four dimensions about institutional devolopment.

1.       Organizational dimension

2.       Governence dimension

3.       Strategic dimension

4.       Output dimension.

Barrister M.Shah Alam on his keynote speech talked about some strategies that can be taken by NHRC like the can publish about the deciplenary forces abot their human rights violation. They can establish human rights institutes and academic institutions. According to the official data of 2009, only 51% people of this country knew about their human rights.

What is Universal periodic Review?

The UPR is a unique process which was created through the UN General Assembly on 15^th March, 2006, establishing the Human Rights Council. It involves the review of the human rights records of UN members States once in every four years.