Please - Odhikar

laws of Bangladesh, particularly the procedural laws, do not have any provisions for the
protection of victims and witnesses and, as a result, victims and witnesses to crimes continue to
be threatened by the perpetrators of dire consequences if the dare to file cases or even complain
to the police. Furthermore, witnesses were afraid or reluctant to come forward to provide
important and possibly incriminating evidence. Lack of evidence, caused by this fear and lack
of interest seemed to be an important factor responsible for improper trials against perpetrators
of human rights violations.
Since Bangladesh does not have a legal regime of victims and witnesses protection, Odhikar
decided to plan advocacy programs with the government and policymakers in order to draw their
attention to this issue. Human rights activists from other South Asian countries were invited to
this meeting to discuss their views and any recommendations they may have in order to
formulate a comprehensive outline for a policy for the protection of victims and witnesses of
human rights abuses in the region.
Strategies for achieving results
For achieving the intended results, Odhikar followed the following policies from 2003 - 2005:
� Publication of the investigation reports in order to alert interested legal aid and human
rights organizations to create awareness campaigns and mass awareness of police atrocities
around the country.
� A regional discussion meeting to highlight the issue of criminal responsibility for torture in
the sub continent. The views of governments and civil societies were also reflected in the
meeting.
� Odhikar has an international network through which it dissimilated the monthly statistics
of torture by law enforcers. Such networks include the Asian Human Rights Commission,
Organization against Torture (OMCT) and the South Asian Network against Torture and
Impunity (SANTI). Odhikar regularly sends them its investigation reports and statistics which
help to make the international community aware of our situation.
� Sending of Urgent Appeals regarding the death of Shah Newaz Titu, who was killed by the
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Chittagong and the incident of gang rape by law enforcers in
Chuadanga were sent to the national and international community, in a bid to urge the
government to take swift steps against act of impunity perpetrated by the law enforcers in the
year 2004.
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Report 2005