Bangladesh: Declaration of Martial Law and act of high treason

Editorial- 

Declaration of ML and act of high treason
We heartily welcome the Judgement

We most heartily welcome the Supreme Court (SC) judgment declaring Martial Law (ML) as illegal and promulgation of ML as an act of High treason. The recently released full verdict of the Supreme Court on the historic Seventh Amendment to the Constitution has ruled that the violation of the Constitution is the gravest of all offences and shall remain illegitimate for all time to come.

We are glad that the highest court has put its seal on an issue that has been coming to the fore of public discourse from time to time. And it has been the demand of the people that political power cannot and must not ever be usurped by an extra-constitutional authority. And now, finally, the SC has invalidated appropriation of power by the military. We note with satisfaction that the present government has already amended the Constitution towards the end.

One must admit that Bangladesh has matured over the last two decades and so has its military. Since the departure of Ershad, military behaved as it should in a democracy. The military leadership too, we believe, have no inclination to power either. Unlike Pakistan, our military totally accepts the civilian leaders as their masters. If 1/11 happened in Bangladesh, putting the blame entirely in the military for that would be acknowledging half the truth. After all, there was the issue of potential subversion of election, of an inflated voter list, of an election commission tutored to run a convoluted poll, to make the result go BNP's way by hook or by crook.

On the other side, we want to stress that democracy does not mean holding an election every five years and winning an election by means fair or foul. Winning elections is only but a part of democracy with many more things, particularly ensuring good governance and implementing the rule of law rather than rule of men. Making democracy flourish entails allowing the institutions to run independently. Election victory, or a brute majority, does not give one the license to be an elected autocracy. It means taking the opposition into confidence and exercising intra-party democracy and allowing new leadership to grow, too. Only when we are able to differentiate between majority and majoritarian rule can we expect democracy to thrive fully.

Source: The Daily Star, Dhaka, 21 December 2012; link: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=261900

Project Work for the Human Rights Law Clinic

Dear Volunteers of the Human Rights Law Clinic,

We are hereby notifying you in reference to our earlier discussions.

You are expected to work on individual or group projects as part of your affiliation with the Human Rights Law Clinic (HRLC) at the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS).

This activity aims to enhance your research, analytical, writing, communication and presentation skills among others. You will be provided required training, coaching and guidance in this regard.

The proposed activities for the project are as follows:

1. Research (on contemporary legal and human rights issues- undertake a desk/empirical research and prepare a original report of 20-25 pages);

2. Prepare a training module for an academic or a training programme;

2. Working on preparing briefs/memo/(writ) petitions;

3. Work in/with a community or group on/for a particular human rights/legal issue;

4. Work for the HRLC’s blog (http://humanrightslawclinic.blogspot.com/);

The group should be consisting of 2-3 Volunteers.

The deadline for submitting your project plan is 30 August 2012. The timeline for completion of the project is to be scheduled in consultation with the individual or group concerned.

Should you have any query, please let us know.

With best regards,

Srabani Mia

Coordinator

Human Rights Law Clinic

hrlc.sails@gmail.com 

 Volunteers of the HRLC with Mr. Rainer Ebert (07 August 2012)

Human Rights Law Clinic launched

The South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) has initiated in July 2012 a Human Rights Law Clinic (HRLC), first of its kind in Bangladesh. This will be an ongoing activity with participation of 10 to 15 Student-Volunteers.

The Clinic is to provide a platform for training, mentoring and practices for Student-Volunteers (of Law, Human Rights and allied disciplines); the areas of focus will be analysis, research and writing, pro bono human rights works and legal services, legal and judicial activism among other issues.

It aims to train a pool of new-generation academics, activists, lawyers, practitioners and researchers with required analytical, writing and presentation skills and pro-active attitudes for promotion and protection of human rights. 

Volunteers’ Responsibilities

 

The Volunteers have been selected based on their applications detailing motivations for human rights works, interviews and availability for voluntary works. (Applications for the first batch have been sought in June 2012). 

 

The selected Volunteers have to attend series of training sessions, workshops, and seminars alongside working on their individual or group project(s) which are to be supervised by designated Mentor(s). Learning sessions (both theoretical and practical) are to be organized mainly in the afternoons and weekends.  

The outcome of the activities of the Clinic will include among others- undertaking research projects, preparing legal briefs and opinions, conducting awareness raising programmes, organizing events, and producing and dissemination of information and knowledge on Law and Human Rights through publications (i.e., blogs, newsletters, journals and websites).   

Trainers and Mentors
Renowned Academics, Jurists and Practitioners from home and abroad who have expertise and experiences to run similar activities will be providing training and mentorship.  

 

The Panel of Distinguished Guest Faculties, Mentors and Trainers:*

 

Dr. Kamal Hossain, Eminent Jurist and Chairperson, SAILS;
Professor MizanurRahman, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh;
Professor M. Shah Alam, Chairman (Acting), Law Commission, Bangladesh;
Professor Yubaraj Sangroula, Kathmandu School of Law, Nepal;
Professor Abdullah Al Faruque, Department of Law, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh;
Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Metropolitan Additional Sessions Judge, Dhaka;
Barrister Sara Hossain, Honorary Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust;
Dr. Faustina Pereira, Advocate and Director, Human Rights and Legal Aid Services, BRAC;
Dr. Naim Ahmed, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh;
Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and Director, SAILS;
Dr. Ridwanul Hoque, Department of Law, University of Dhaka;
Md. Zahid Hossain, National Human Rights Commission Capacity Development Project- UNDP;
Dr. Uttam Kumar Das, Human Rights Lawyer; 

 

*Subject to availability on the scheduled date.

For any query in this regard, kindly mail to info@sails-law.org , or for updates, please visit SAILS’ website at www.sails-law.org. 

 

Contact Address:

South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS)
[A UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institution of Excellence]
House No. 55, Ground Floor, Road No. 5
Dhanmondi Residential Area
Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh

E-mail: info@sails-law.org
Phone: +880 2 9613603
http://www.sails-law.org

Human Rights Law Clinic: Accepting Applications for Volunteering

The South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) is initiating a Human Rights Law Clinic, first of its kind in Bangladesh. This will be an ongoing activity.

The Clinic aims to provide a platform for training and mentoring of students and fresh graduates of Law and Human Rights (who are available for volunteer works) on legal research, analysis and writing, pro bono human rights works and legal services, legal and judicial activism, serving justice seekers among other issues.

Renowned Jurists, Legal Academics, and Practitioners affiliated with international and national organizations will be providing training and mentorship.

Applications are now being accepted for enlisting the first batch of Student-Volunteers.

The interested individuals are hereby invited to submit/forward their applications accompanied by: (1) Cover letter addressed to the Director of SAILS, (2) Resume (Maximum one page, which should include applicants’ Name, Contact Details, Academic Qualifications, Trainings/Volunteers Activities etc.), and (3) Statement of Purpose (maximum 500 words) by post or e-mail to the below address. The deadline is 30 June 2012.

After review of applications, the short-listed candidates shall be invited for interviews. The tenure (e.g., three to six months), individual or group project(s), and other details for a finally selected candidate will be designed/scheduled considering her/his availability for a voluntary assignment and activity/project planned. For the selected candidates, training and workshops will be organized (preferably, during weekends and holidays). However, the engagement and activities with the Clinic will be fully on voluntary basis, and no stipend or allowance is applicable.

For any query in this regard, kindly visit SAILS’ website at www.sails-law.org or mail to info@sails-law.org .

 

South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS)
[A UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institution of Excellence]
House No. 55, Ground Floor, Road No. 5
Dhanmondi Residential Area
Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh

E-mail: info@sails-law.org
Phone: +880 2 9613603
http://www.sails-law.org

Human Rights Law Clinic at SAILS

Introduction

The South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) is initiating a Human Rights Law Clinic (HRLC), first of its kind in Bangladesh. This will be an ongoing activity with participation of 10 to 15 Student-Volunteers.

The Clinic is to provide a platform for training, mentoring and practices for Student-Volunteers (of Law, Human Rights and allied disciplines); the areas of focus will be analysis, research and writing, pro bono human rights works and legal services, legal and judicial activism among other issues.

It aims to train a pool of new-generation academics, activists, lawyers, practitioners and researchers with required analytical, writing and presentation skills and pro-active attitudes for promotion and protection of human rights. 

Selection of Volunteers

SAILS is to seek applications from interested candidates through its website and other networks. While applying, a Candidate is to submit: (i) Cover Letter addressing the Director of the Institute, (ii) One-page Resume, and (iii) Statement of Purpose (500 words).

Volunteers will be selected considering their applications (which include the above-mentioned three items), motivations and availability for the activities. They are expected to work with the Clinic for duration of three to six months (depending on the project designed and their availability). All the activities for the Clinic will be voluntary in nature and no allowance is applicable. However, after successful participation in the Clinic and completion of the designated assignment(s), each of the Volunteers will get a Certificate.  

Volunteers’ Responsibilities

The selected Volunteers have to attend series of training sessions, workshops, and seminars alongside working on their individual or group project(s) which are to be supervised by designated Mentor(s).

Learning sessions (both theoretical and practical) are to be organized mainly in the afternoons and weekends.   

The outcome of the activities of the Clinic will include among others- undertaking research projects, preparing legal briefs and opinions, conducting awareness raising programmes, organizing events, and producing and dissemination of information and knowledge on Law and Human Rights through publications (i.e., blogs, newsletters, journals and websites).   

Trainers and Mentors
Renowned Academics, Jurists and Practitioners from home and abroad who have expertise and experiences to run similar activities will be providing training and mentor-ship.  


The Panel of Distinguished Guest Faculties, Mentors and Trainers: 

Dr. Kamal Hossain, Eminent Jurist and Chairperson, SAILS; 
Professor Mizanur Rahman, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh;
Professor M. Shah Alam, Chairman (Acting), Law Commission, Bangladesh;
Professor Yubaraj Sangroula, Kathmandu School of Law, Nepal;
Professor Abdullah Al Faruque, Department of Law, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh;
Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Metropolitan Additional Sessions Judge, Dhaka;
Barrister Sara Hossain, Honorary Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust);
Dr. Faustina Pereira, Advocate and Director, Human Rights and Legal Aid Services, BRAC;
Dr. Naim Ahmed, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh;
Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and Director, SAILS;
Dr. Ridwanul Hoque, Department of Law, University of Dhaka;
Md. Zahid Hossain, National Human Rights Commission Capacity Development Project- UNDP;
Dr. Uttam Kumar Das, Human Rights Lawyer;

Also, other renowned academics, experts and practitioners from home and abroad will be invited for conducting sessions and workshops.

For any query in this regard, kindly mail to info@sails-law.org, or for updates, please visit SAILS’ website at www.sails-law.org.  

 

Contact Address:

South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies
House No. 55, Ground Floor, Road No. 5
Dhanmondi Residential Area
Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh

E-mail: info@sails-law.org
Phone: +880 2 9613603
http://www.sails-law.org