Journey for the Ratification of OPCAT: BRCT ’ s Effort

1. Journey for the Ratification of OPCAT: BRCT’s Effort By Akram H. Chowdhury Founding General Secretary, BRCT and Secretary General, BIHR Bangladesh Rehabilitation Center for Trauma Victims, BRCT Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, BIHR 27 Bijoynagar, Dhaka – 1000. www.brct.org Phone: +88- 02- 9349851, 9355648. E-mail: brct@citechco.net

2. Profile of Bangladesh Independence: Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 following a 9 months-long bloody war with the erstwhile West Pakistan Demographic • Population: 149.7 million; Population Density (per km2):1,039 (2004) • Muslim (83 %) (Majority) • Area: 14,49,985 (thousands of km2) Economic (Source: CIDA and UNFPA) • Mixed Economy: Agricultural (Mostly) and Market Based • HDI Ranking: 139th of 177 countries (2005) • Per-capita Income: $ 344, GNI per capita: 400 US$ (2003) Political (Source: CIDA and UNFPA) • Written constitution, Parliamentary Democracy • Election supervised by a non-partisan caretaker government • Legal system: English common Law • Judiciary: higher judiciary is independent but lower courts are under the executive branch of the government - reportedly malfunctioning and corrupt

3. Bangladesh and BRCT’s TFT districts

4. Torture Situation in Bangladesh 2310 315 2006 Source: BRCT

5. Ratification of UN instruments by The People’s Republic of Bangladesh • The our Geneva Conventions of 1949 (1971) and Additional Protocol I and II to the 1949 Geneva Conventions (Sept. 8, 1980) • The International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (June 11, 1979) • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), (Sept. 06, 2000) • The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), (Oct. 05, 1998)

6. Ratification of UN instruments by The People’s Republic of Bangladesh • The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (October 05, 1998) • Convention on the Rights of The Child (CRC) (Aug. 03, 1990) • Convention on the Elimination of all form forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (Nov. 06, 1984) • The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Oct. 05, 1998) • What is about OPCAT? NO

7. Profile of BRCT • A non-profit, non-governmental organization founded by Akram H. Chowdhury in February 1992, a pioneer in the areas of human rights and rehabilitation of torture victims (by the law enforcing agencies) in Bangladesh; • Nucleus of a network of national as well as international human rights organizations (e.g. TFT, BIHR, RCT, AHRC, IRCT…), active at the grassroots in Bangladesh; • Services: Rehabilitation Clinic (Dhaka), community based Rehabilitation Centers (Khulna Division) and Mobile Treatment Clinics (MTCs); • Activism: actively involved in campaigning, lobbying, and undertaking advocacy activities both at the national as well as local levels focusing on CAT and OP-CAT; • Runs a database on state sponsored torture in Bangladesh, regularly publishes Human Rights and Torture Situation Reports and Newsletters (Article 14).

8. BRCT’sPROGRAMS • ► Rehabilitation Programs • Integrated Rehabilitation Approach, IRA • ► Prevention Programs • Integrated Prevention Approach, IPA

9. Rehabilitation Wheel (IRA) Economic Integration Physical Restoration Psychological Support Initial Interview Referral Legal Counseling Treatment conference IRA Legal Support Medical Exam. Psychotherapy Counseling Physiotherapy

10. Trail Observation Local Capacity Building Anushandhani Fact-finding Research & Documentation Article-14 Urgent Action Monitor Local HR Situation TFT PD Victims Association Networking UN Day Observance Press Conference View Exchange Home Visits HR Education Advocacy & Lobbying Preventive Wheel (IPA)

11. BRCT’s network relationship with different professional organizations and NGOs around the country Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Bangladesh Nurses Association Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association Bangladesh Psychological Association Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Association National & Local Bar Council National & Local Journalist Association

12. BRCT’s network relationship with different professional organizations and NGOs around the country BRCT has already established TFTs in 31 districts among 64 around the country BRCT observes different UN Days with around 200 different NGOs at the grassroots around the country All the professionals associations and NGOs are actively working for the Rehabilitation of Torture victims as well as for the Prevention of Torture

13. BEST PRACTICES

14. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Task Force Against Torture (TFT)“The TFT is an interesting concept and could be useful” for grassroots level human rights activism…[Peter Vedel Kessing, Prevention Coordinator, RCT Mission to BRCT, October 2002] “… the TFT had good working relations with the local governor, as well as the local superintendent of the police of the Jessore region; certainly crucial elements to the success of the TFT.”[Jo E Asvall Director, RCT Mission to BRCT, June 2002]

15. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Task Force Against Torture (TFT) TFT is a common platform of different professionals who works against torture and for the benefit of torture survivors by using his or her professional skills & activities with other associate professionals. Structure of TFT: In every district, a group is formed consisting minimum four professionals including doctors, journalists, lawyers and social worker and number of members of a group will be minimum four. Gradually, the number is increased.

16. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Declaration of Task Force Against Torture (TFT)

17. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Effect of TFT Policemen are attending human chain and discussion meeting programs in the UN Day observance

18. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Effect of TFT Policemen are putting DDCAT stickers on their office doors

19. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Evaluation of Task Force Against Torture (TFT) Impact study on TFT by Basil Fernando (AHRC), Hong Kong

20. Evaluation of Task Force Against Torture (TFT) The contribution that TFTs have made in beginning this struggle is enormous and the TFTs are irreplaceable. The most essential element of prevention work in the context of a country such as Bangladesh is the solidarity component at the grassroots level. TFTs have begun this work and contributed a great deal to the debate of how to engage in that work through several years of work. This important work should be preserved and enhanced. Basil Fernando and Dr. Clifford Perera Preventive impact and lessons learned from BRCT and the Task Force against Torture (Unpublished)

21. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Victims Association (VA): Wearer knows where the shoe pinches “Promoting the establishment of victim’s associations is an innovative tool for combating torture and for rehabiliting torture victims. Linking these associations with counseling services strengthen the outreach facilities for torture victims. These perspectives create a society where communities proactively rehabilitate torture victims and encourages the state to respect democracy and human rights”____ Designing Counseling support service in victim associations in Bangladesh From Counseling to Psychosocial Development Published by RCT, 2006

22. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Victims Association (VA): Wearer knows where the shoe pinches ► Self-sustained groups: Selected members from the group learn and provide simple physiotherapy and counseling services to the torture survivors ► Mainly run by subscription fees ► Works as shields against the torture ► Sensitize community about human rights issues ► Practice rights granted by constitution and laws of the country and international protocols

23. BEST PRACTICE, BRCT Activities of Victims Association

24. Journey for the Ratification of OPCAT: National Plan of action for 2007 (January 01 to December 31 2007)

25. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • Major activities for Bangladesh: • Development of a regional network • Establishment and consolidation of national network • National Website – it is not in budget but BRCT will do • Seminar with the three powers of state • Civil society organizations, • National human right institutions and • Professional associations. • Specific lobbying Activity • Capacity Building at the regional and national level • Promotion of country specific promotion materials in national languages • Book on OPCAT • Conduct visits to places of detention

26. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In February 2007 • Development of a regional network (held in HK) • Initial Regional Meeting with four national networks • Development of action plan and operational guideline. • Develop a regional strategy for OPCAT ratification campaign • Biannual meeting of the regional network • Conduct Political Mapping of relevant target groups- it will continue to April   • Translation of OPCAT in Bangla • Advertisement in Newspaper

27. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In March 2007 • Introduction of OPCAT into existing networks • Initial Communication for Formation of national network- it will continue to April • Conduct Political Mapping of relevant target groups • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT- it will be around the year • Development of Training materials on OPCAT • Translation of OPCAT • Material collection • Brochure on OPCAT • TV Spot – it will continue around the year

28. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In April 2007 • Initial Communication for Formation of national network • Meeting with network members to identify target groups and individuals on determination of their role in torture prevention and OPCAT Campaign. • Updating of organization website (www.brct.org) on OPCAT • Conduct Political Mapping of relevant target groups • Bilateral contacts and view exchanges with identified target groups- it will continue around the year (2 per month)

29. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In April 2007cont’d • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Development of Training materials on OPCAT • Publication and distribution on OPCAT- it will continue around the year • Material collection • Advertisement in Newspaper • TV spots • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers- it will continue around the year

30. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In May 2007 • Bilateral contacts and view exchanges with identified target groups • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Awareness raising in the general public • Training of national network members • Publication and distribution • Material collection • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

31. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In June 2007 • Meeting with network members on development of national strategy for OPCAT Campaign • Bilateral contacts and view exchanges with identified target groups • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Awareness raising in the general public • Training of national network members • Publication and distribution • Publication and distribution • Poster, leaflet, sticker • Advertisement in Newspaper • TV spots • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

32. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In July 2007 • Bilateral contacts and view exchanges with identified target groups • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Publication and distribution • Publication and distribution • TV spots • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

33. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In August 2007 • Meeting with network members on development of simple documents on OPCAT. • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Publication and distribution • Advertisement in Newspaper • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

34. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In September 2007 • Bilateral contacts and view exchanges with identified target groups • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Publication and distribution • TV spots • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

35. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In October 2007 • Meeting with network members • Bilateral contacts and view exchanges with identified target groups (2 per month) • Venue selection and initial communication with the participants • Preparation of relevant documentation for the seminar • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Publication and distribution • Advertisement in Newspaper • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

36. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In November 2007 • Meeting with network members • Updating of organization website (www.brct.org) on OPCAT • Preparation of relevant documentation for the seminar • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Awareness raising in the general public • Publication and distribution • Publication and distribution • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

37. PLAN OF ACTION, BRCT • In December 2007 • Meeting with network members • Organizing national seminar on OPCAT • Reporting of the seminar. • Publication and distribution of BRCT Newsletters with regular information on OPCAT • Awareness raising in the general public • Publication and distribution • Publication and distribution • Poster, leaflet, sticker • Advertisement in Newspaper • TV spots • Survey of torture and ill-treatment in detention centers

38. Time for discussion……….