If anyone takes democracy as living organ then human rights has to be taken as the respiratory system of that organ. Democracy can breathe afresh if human rights prevail properly. In the context of present global democratic manoeuvring, everyone can by far comprehend the relevance and significance of human rights. Let us take examples from present global affairs. The reason why the West is condemning the Syrian president Basher Al Assad is that, in general, he is depriving his countrymen of their rights to expression and protest against oppression. In Bangladesh, why the civil society is condemning ‘crossfire’ or ‘shootout’ by Rab is that even a criminal has the right to take refuge under law in a democratic system. We found human rights in a fragile state both under the despotic and the democratic systems of government, because an essential component was absent in both the cases. It is nothing but transparency. Human rights need transparency to flourish in full swing.

Preparations are underway for the publication of a book on the topic “Human Rights in Bangladesh:Past, Present and Future”. RI will support the forthcoming publication which will feature twelve chapters on the past, present and expected future trends in the human rights situation in Bangladesh, and a workshop was held at the Senate Bhaban,University of Dhaka on 25th October 2011 to brief the audience about the proposed book and its respective chapters. The day long workshop drew a host of human rights activists, media professionals, students and relevant stakeholders who are working actively to promote human rights in Bangladesh.

On 15 November 2011, RI hosted a 30 minutes long Radio Talk Show on a nationally broadcast radio station to generate awareness about Migrants’ Rights.

Guest speakers Dr. Amena Mohsin, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, and Ms. Sultana Razia, Training Coordinator, Winrock International shared their knowledge, views and comments on the rights of migrants, while Mr. Parimol Palma, Senior Correspondent, The Daily Star, moderated the discussion. Telecast live, the show shed light on the various problems faced by migrants who are often deceived by unscrupulous middlemen, who falsely promise high paying jobs and comfortable lives to the migrants. The speakers underlined the primary causes of this problem, which are poverty and lack of awareness. Finally, the speakers recommended solutions to these ongoing problems, such as caution and responsible behavior to be exercised by potential migrants and the need for migrants to be aware of relevant laws.

RI regularly hosts talk shows on the radio channel, where renowned civil society representatives share their knowledge, experience and views with the listeners.

The THR program has now engaged journalists and media professionals working in the Bogra district of Bangladesh, who participated in a day long workshop on “Professional Development on the Media and Human Rights”, held on 23^rd August 2011. The workshop was held in the Red Chilies Conference Hall of Bogra, and had 30 participants from different national and local media outlets working in Bogra. Representatives from renowned print media outlets such as The Daily Prothom Alo, The Daily Inquilab, The Daily Ittefaq, Daily Kaler Kantho,Jay Jay Din, and  satellite television channels such as Channel I,ETV, Bangla vision, ATN Bangla, and more such agencies participated in the workshop.

Protection/Rights Advocate( 1 position):

The  Protection/Rights Advocate will be responsible for developing project advocacy strategy and work plan to meeting the advocacy outputs set by the project, and responsibilities include working with the TRUs and other target beneficiaries, developing and strengthening effective networks (local /project/district/ regional) with other stakeholders for advocacy activities , assisting in collection and compilation of data, information and evidence from partners, network members and different sources, and developing messages and methodologies for advocacy and policy changes .  The Protection/Rights Advocate will also contribute in preparing project reports as per requirements, and annual operational plans.

Project Coordinator (1 position):

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for overall management of the project, and responsibilities include working with the TRUs and other target beneficiaries, coordinating with local and national stakeholders of the program, working closely with educational institutions, health institutes, government officials and agencies to ensure their participation in the project, ensuring all project activities are executed in a timely  manner and contributing  in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual project reports and donor reports as per requirement. The Project Coordinator will also keep track of procurement and inventory, and see to it that all objectives of the project are being met.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer(1 position):

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will monitor the project activities, maintaining robust and sound results-based monitoring and evaluation system, tracking timely project data, and ensure that reports and deliverables contain valid and reliable information. The M&E officer will be responsible for implementing the M&E Plan and will maintain the data in an organized manner and will prepare monthly progress reports and quarterly narrative report as per prescribed format developed by RI.  The officer will also assist in conducting mid-term/final evaluation, special studies as required by the authorities.

Field Coordinator ( Livelihoods Trainers )  (6 positions):

The Field Coordinators will be expected to assist District Program Coordinators and other program officials to plan, design and implement program activities, liaise with project stakeholders including TRUs, partners, local government officials, and organize and coordinate livelihoods trainings.

Field Accountant (1 position):

The Field Accountant will be expected to prepare vouchers and maintain books of accounts, manage cash and bank transactions, manage distribution of cash vouchers and asset support for beneficiaries ,manage working cash advances and reconciliations ,track and monitor expenses ,prepare monthly bank reconciliation statements, prepare periodic financial reports, and assist in procurement of goods and services.  The officer will also be expected to manage store and fixed assets of Regional Program Office, provide support to internal and external auditor program implementation, work in collaboration with all field-based staff and perform any other relevant tasks assigned by the authority.

District Program Coordinator(3 positions):

The District Program Coordinators will be expected to assist program officials to implement program activities, liaise with project stakeholders, beneficiaries including TRUs, partners, local government officials, journalists, students, community members for successful implementation of the project activities, organize and coordinate meetings, workshops and events, assist program officials to follow up activities undertaken by implementing partners of the project, and collect and compile data and information on program activities, and assist in preparation of program reports.