Enforced Disappearance: Dissolution of Right to Life in Bangladesh

The incidents of sudden disappearances of person are increasing day by day in Bangladesh. Now it becomes very common in the country that some people are vanished from the society in a moment and subsequently none can tell any clue about them. It creates a scary environment among the dissent voices which ultimately diminish the sense of liberty from the country. However, anybody may disappear at any moment for various reasons including kidnap, abduction; even one can voluntarily conceal himself/herself for his/her personal reason. But there is a clear distinction between missing person and enforced disappearance. Enforced disappearance denotes state sponsorship and involvement with the incident whether directly or indirectly. The family members of the victims and rights campaigners of the country are triggered their allegations towards enforced disappearances.

However, right to life is a fundamental right enshrined under the constitution of Bangladesh. Right to life is not simple category rights that can be violate often what ordinarily happen in Bangladesh. Rather it is a supreme right of a person that cannot be comprised without due process and legal intervention. In accordance with the report released by the rights NGO Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK), during 2010 to July 2017, as many as 519 people have reportedly became victims of enforced disappearance and fate of 329 of them are still unknown. Nevertheless, frequent occurrence of forced disappearance continuously disregards constitutional mandate and violates basic human right unlawfully.

In most of the cases, allegations come from dissent voices although there are some cases where no clue found behind the disappearance. Typically, alleged law enforcement agencies are denied their engagement and consequently refused to tell whereabout they are. In contrast, family members, friends, relatives or witnesses to the crime triggered their accusation to law enforcement authorities that civil dressed men arrested by introducing them as member of law enforcing agencies and using their equipment like vehicle to forcefully bring the detainee with them. However, in few occurrences, after severe family, media and right groups pressure they showed arrest of that detenue many days after their alleged detention but do not give any explanation concerning their non-appearance before such arrest. Nowadays the trend of arrest has been changed and people are being detained on their way to any direction.

Government and law enforcing authorities are not only silent to take any initiative against this massive infringement of human right but also both are very much reluctant to reveal the truth behind these crimes. It is a characteristic of this heinous offence observed earlier in other part of the world which strengthen the allegation of state involvement. However, few fortunate victims are returned from their unknown detention where the perpetrators themselves willfully left them from their secret detention. Law enforcers are also neither successful in rescuing them nor investigating the matter properly except very rare incidents like the controversial Forhad Mazhar case. Nevertheless, the returned persons are neither willing to disclose the identity of the offenders nor express their experiences during detention as they become heavily traumatized mentally and also not assured by the state about their future safety.

Nonetheless, the State is being built by the blood of the freedom fighters where we foster a dream that “the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens”. Conversely, these frightening scenarios of enforced disappearances portrait a Bangladesh having no respect to citizen’s liberty and rule of law. If anybody breach the limit of freedom of expression or doing any activity subversive against the state, then there is mechanism to try that person but that cannot justify lost of an alive person and falling his/her family into a deep ocean of uncertainty about the fate of that person.

The Republic is bound to ensure security and safety of life and property of every citizen under the constitution. Furthermore, it has responsibility to ensure citizens fundamental rights including right to protection of law and right to life and personal liberty. The Constitution of the People‘s Republic of Bangladesh enshrined in Art. 31 that “to enjoy the protection of the law, and to be treated in accordance with law, and only in accordance with law, is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be, and of every other person for the time being within Bangladesh, and in particular no action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property of any person shall be taken except in accordance with law”. But, by detaining any person and keeping him/her in secret detention without any due process of law, government has just grossly violated its mandate to the constitution.

In addition, Article 32 of the Bangladesh Constitution incorporates: “no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty saves in accordance with law” whereas in case of forced disappearance, the law enforcing authorities detain without any warrant of arrest from any court of law. Even they don’t inform the ground(s) for arrest, don’t produce him before the nearest Magistrate Court and don’t provide chance to consult with any lawyer which are basic rights of an arrestee.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 prohibits government from arbitrary arresting while every forced disappearance violates universal human right to be safe from illegal arrest. Bangladesh has also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), that prohibits the grave violations of rights highlighted above. According to Article 2 and 6 of the ICCPR, it has the obligations to ensure the right to life of its people and to ensure prompt and effective reparation where violations occur.

Under the obligation of the ICCPR, the government must ensure a fair and public trial for anyone charged with a criminal offense, and such a trial must take place “without undue delay”. It is also obliged to bring legislation into conformity with the ICCPR. Additionally, Bangladesh is a state party to the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Under the CAT, the government must ensure that any person who alleges he has been subject to torture has the right “to complain to and to have his case promptly and impartially examined by competent authorities”.

It is noteworthy that the CAT has become a source of reference for the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance as well which oblige the States Parties, to criminalise torture under their domestic laws with appropriate penalties and to eliminate safe havens for perpetrators of torture by establishing various types of jurisdictions, including criminal jurisdictions.

Furthermore, international human rights bodies have identified the elements of torture that relate to enforced disappearances and international courts are also agreed with this view. In Velasquez Rodriguez case, the Inter-American Court on Human Rights referred to Art. 1(1) of the Convention and analyzed the obligation to respect rights. The Court has indicated that the States must prevent, investigate and punish any violation of the rights recognised by the Convention and, if possible, attempt to restore the violated rights and provide compensation as warranted for damages resulting from violation.

However, we do not get any decision from our judiciary on enforced disappearance yet. Moreover, our National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is acting merely a postbox in this regard. After getting allegation from the victim’s family or in some instances the NHRC suo motu asking probe report on the matter from the Ministry of Home. However, the ministry does not reply to 154 allegations concerning extra judicial killing, enforced disappearance, custodial torture and others human rights violation yet. As a state statutory body, the NHRC must play an active role in protecting and upholding the human rights of the citizen conferred by the constitution instead of acting as mere postbox.

However, enforced disappearance is not defined in any law of the soil. Hence, it is mandatory to legislate an autonomous offence of enforced disappearance in the penal law immediately to try the crime effectively. Moreover, clear message regarding their fate or whereabouts of the victim and integral reparation to the victim not only through compensation but also through rehabilitation and satisfaction is urgently necessary. Hence, creation of an independent commission to investigate all the enforced disappearances property including the returned victims and assurance of their safety is crying need at this moment. The government must show its willingness towards prevention of this inhuman crime and must take recommended steps to exterminate all shadows of suspicion from it.

Published on the Dhaka Tribune as Op-Ed on 25 December 2017

Published on the Daily Observer as Sub-Editorial on 26 December 2017 at page 6.
Published as lead sub-editorial on the daily New Age on 16 January 2018 at page 8.

Is Universal Access to Energy a Human Right in Bangladesh?

In this modern era, it is undoubtedly true that energy becomes an inalienable part of our day to day life and we become extremely dependent on energy to run our life smoothly. Moreover, energy is crucial for overall development of the country and empowerment of the people as well. Emergences of contemporary technologies make us more energy dependent day by day. Hence universal access to energy for all is not only essential to ensure continuous spin of the wheel of development but also to enhance standard of livelihood of the nation. Despite that, The Least Developed Country (LDC) Report 2017 released by the UN on 21 November says government can’t reach electricity to more than one-third (60%) population of the country-the lowest among all the Asian LDCs whereas access to sufficient, regular, safe, reliable, affordable and diverse energy resources is key to eradicate poverty and ensure economic progress with equity and social inclusion.

Bangladesh is an energy deficient country which cannot fulfill the demand yet. Conversely, the demand is increasing every day, but the government is failed to produce and distribute expected amount of energy in precise electricity due to many factors. In addition, still its network cannot cover the whole populace of the territory. Apart from these, there are influential factors which also create barrier in getting electricity like high price, consumers’ poor economic condition etc. Although Bangladesh has taken several initiatives to increase the production of electricity over the past decade but all these obstacles collectively make a challenge for the country to reach the Sustainable Development Goals of universal access to modern energy by 2030.

However, universal access to energy is not only a human right itself rather it is greatly interconnected with other basic rights e.g. right to life, food, health, shelter, education etc.  Nevertheless, yet there is no express legally enshrined guarantee of access to energy in all its aspects by the State in this country. That does not mean the government can avoid its obligation to make energy accessible to all. Nowadays, reasonable and effective access to energy services is regarded as human right world-wide. Although there is no precise provision but the interpretation of existing legal instruments and whole notion of the constitution can oblige the State to treat it as a basic human right.

The human right to universal access to energy is also not specifically recognized in international human rights instruments adopted by different organizations. Despite that, several leading international organizations have formulated legally binding instruments referring the right to get access to energy either directly or indirectly. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948 recognizes numerous rights which are highly intertwined with access to energy and unachievable without adequate access to energy services. For example, right to standard living, right to work under satisfactory condition and even right to education are impossible to give its full meaning without proper access to energy.

Moreover, the socio-economic destination fixed by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) of 1966 would be turned into only a far reaching text enumerated on white paper if you cannot establish access to energy as a right. Without ensuring access to energy how can we guarantee highest attainable standard of physical and mental health enumerated in Art. 12 of the ICESCR.

Further, energy is heavily entwined with other basic human rights and in most of the cases a pre-requisite to fulfill the other rights. Other mentionable international documents like the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the American Convention on Human Rights, the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, the Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment etc. state improvement and protection of various human rights through universal access to energy. Bangladesh is a state party to many of these conventions and thereby bound to fulfill all the obligations imposed by them.

However, if we now turn our attention into national level then we can notice that the long run dream of the nation to be “Sonar Bangla” seeds in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh would not be achievable without ensuring adequate access to energy to all. Both the fundamental principles of State policy and the fundamental rights chapters of the constitution contain provisions which are heavily dependent on universal and effective access to energy. Art. 15 of the constitution entails a number of rights essential for the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement in living conditions. All these rights are interrelated with easy access to energy in any way.

The same article also imposes responsibility on the State to ensure decent work condition which is inalienable with proper access to energy. Additionally, art. 16 focuses on rural and agricultural development while universal access to energy is most effective and crucial instrument to bring positive changes in this sector. However, the present situation is highly discriminatory while half of rural population has no access to electricity. On the contrary, according to the UN LDCs Report 2017 84% urban inhabitants get electricity albeit the rate is still unsatisfactory compared to the world average.

Nevertheless, subsequent couple of articles of the constitution again emphasized on right to education, health and environmental protection and preservation which are not at all attainable by the State without having access to energy to all.

Furthermore, article 31 deals with right to life as a fundamental right which undoubtedly includes right to livelihood as well. However, right to life enshrined in our constitution doesn’t mean right to breath and live like an animal only rather it gives a full meaning of life including right to live with dignity which was also affirmed by the judiciary in Ain O Salish Kendra Vs Bangladesh, 1999 BLD 488 case. However, Indian judiciary also played significant role in interpreting the meaning of right to life. Even they declared compensation for the violation of right to life in various cases i.e. RudulSah v. State of Bihar, (1983) 4 SCC 141; Bhim Singh v. State of J&K, (1985) 4 SCC 677; M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1987) 1 SCC 395; Hussain v. State of Kerala, (2000) 8 SCC 139.

Therefore, to give full meaning to life, State must take necessary arrangement to ensure universal access to energy non-discriminatorily. This is a constitutional obligation upon the State and enforceable right by the court. So, there is no scope of evading this responsibility by telling that there is no specific provision on right to get access to energy rather if we consider the whole notion of the constitution then it is evident that the aim of the constitution is to gradually enhance the standard of livelihood of the peoples of this republic.

To recapitulate, the State mechanism should look the matter of universal access to modern energy from a human right perspective to make it more inclusive. In addition, it is also mandatory to deal the issue with great intelligence for the betterment of the nation and sustainable development. As our resources are limited hence we should progressively make modern energy services available on the basis of equality and non-discrimination to the whole population including those most underprivileged.

Published on the Daily Sun on the occasion of Human Rights Day 2017 on 10 December 2017 at page 7
Published on The Independent as Op-Ed on 11 December 2017 at page 7
Published on the Daily Observer as Sub-Editorial on 11 December 2017
Published on the Dhaka Tribune as Op-Ed on 12 December 2017.

Balancing the Energy Trilemma in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, being a lower middle income country is struggling to balance the energy trilemma and energy governance simultaneously.  This is also reflected from the Energy Trilemma Index 2016 released by the World Energy Council, a UN accredited global energy body where Bangladesh secured 111 positions among 125 countries. Energy trilemma is often termed as energy triangle which denotes balance among i) energy security and accessibility to energy, ii) affordability or economics and iii) decarbonisation or climate change mitigation. Some author describes this as interplay between carbon emissions, the security of energy supply and energy costs. However, these three horns have repulsion against each other and that is why balancing them is quite challenging. Particularly it is exigent for Bangladesh to ensure equilibrium among these aspects in producing high range of electricity to mitigate the huge amount of deficiency. Nonetheless, such transformation can only be achieved through effective energy governance.  

Photo: The Daily Star

According to International Energy Agency (IEA) the concept of security of energy supply or energy security mean the incessant availability of energy resources at an affordable cost. Although Bangladesh is a naturally resourceful country considering natural gas and coal specially but due to lack of adequate technical expertise it cannot ultilise its resources in generating energy. That is why it is highly dependent on fuel importation from overseas. Nonetheless, energy security is entwined with national security also. National security may be compromised for disrupted supply of energy. It may bring heavy consequence for Bangladeshi national security. Therefore, conservation of national energy resources and sustainable use of them is essential to diminish the national security dilemma.

However, accessible energy is a potential tool to empower mass people. Here comes the question of universal access to energy. According to World Bank data more than one-third populace of the country have no access to electricity yet. One the contrary, demand is escalating everyday while supply is not uninterrupted due to many factors including shortage of fuel, power scarcity, old supply line etc. Although situation is far more better now because of the initiatives taken by the current government. However, none of those initiatives can ensure minimum balance among those triangles rather some power projects are highly criticised which neglected all these angles. Moreover, most of the power plants use fossil fuels like natural gas or oil as the major primary energy sources instead of diversified low carbon primary sources e.g. solar, wind, tidal, hydro, biomass etc. Massive use of natural gas alone (almost 85%) in energy sector is another threat to energy security. All these contributed to poor access to energy. Although the government has initiated giant project for nuclear power plant but there is also safety concern. Hence this is high time to focus more on eco friendly renewable energies and ensure good governance in dealing with these.

Then the question of economics will come to intervene. The government has frequently increased the price of basic household energy like gas and electricity last couple of years even in contravention of law which ultimately diminish the affordability and accessibility as well. For this reason, despite of having power supply marginal people are become unable to afford that costly energy for their livelihood. This is another challenge for Bangladesh to make energy affordable to all. Accountable and transparent government machineries relating to power sector and effective energy regulatory commission can play vital role to reduce the charge over energy.

High carbon energy sources i.e. fossils are still cheap in comparison with the renewable technologies but it could become more pricy due to global demand. It has also severe impact on environment. So we need to divert our concentration from high carbon to low carbon energy production gradually. Nevertheless, ensuring competitive energy investment policy can play a crucial role in mitigating tension between cost and low carbon energy. Additionally, imposition of heavy duty on high carbon fuels and confirming maximum tax incentives to renewable machineries may bring success to reduce dependency on fossils.

The European Environmental Energy (EEA) opines that energy production and consumption have huge impact upon environment. Reducing carbon emission and preserving environment are equally important in generating affordable energy. The energy sector should be green in compliance with the criteria. Hence, the policy makers have to maintain a harmony among continuous and sustainable energy supply, access and affordability to energy vis-a-vis environmental impact in producing energy.  

Published on the Law & Our Rights page of The Daily Star on 24-10-2017.

My Journey towards Chevening Scholarship

Scholarship providers mainly call for application through advertisement in different media like website, online, newspaper and I came to know about Chevening Scholarship from a newspaper advertisement. In fact, Chevening invites application from August every year (this year it opens on 7 August and applicant can submit application till 7 November). However, actual study will commence from September next year.

Chevening scholarship is UK government’s prestigious international awards scheme funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and associate partner organizations aimed at developing global leaders by giving them the chance to study a one year Master Degree at one of the UK universities from their choices in any field they have chosen. This is a full funded scholarship which covers total tuition fees, living cost in UK, airfare and also give different allowances.

Online application through Chevening’s portal (www.chevening.org) is the introduction to begin with the journey. However, to be a Chevener, I had to proven that I have at least two years of working experience (which is equivalent to 2800 hours). It need not to be paid work only, internship without degree requirement, part time job, unpaid service and even voluntary services could suffice to fulfill the requirement. Nevertheless, being a Bangalee, I also asked to submit IELTS result which is minimum 6.5 on an average but not less than 5.5 in any module. Interestingly, it doesn’t necessitate during application submission rather it can be uploaded after conditional selection for the scholarship (this year the deadline is 12 July 2018). So, there is plenty of time to get prepare for English language requirement. If truth be told, I also did the same in my case.

However, to study in UK University, I chose similar courses at three universities according to the condition of the award. Alternatively you can select same or different courses at any three universities from the list given by Chevening portal. Then you need to acquire an unconditional offer letter to study from your desired university. Universities are normally delivering this unconditional offer letter without any fee via online after showing them conditional selection letter from Chevening. Hence, it is better to contact with the university early. However, one of the significant conditions of Chevening award is the awardee must stay for a minimum of two years in his/her country after completion of study.

 Apart from personal information, academic qualifications and others, I asked to write four essays (500 words of each) on leadership and influencing skills, networking skill, reason behind choosing subject and how it relates with my previous education and profession and plans for the future and fourthly about my upcoming career plan. These essays are very crucial in selecting the applicant. In my case, I wrote them after consulting the questionnaires very cautiously. Repeated reading of these questions and extracting what they are actually focusing is very significant to organize them. In addition, I think putting my real life illustrations and experiences worked behind getting this scholarship.

You must be honest in writing them and must not follow anyone else. Try yourself to demonstrate your skills in your own language. Because, none will be able to present your thoughts in line with your expectations. You are the best person to describe your strength and weakness. However, as Chevening is looking for potential global leaders, hence you need to express one or two examples from your life with each of them. Moreover, it needs two reference letters after primary selection for interview. I took one academic and another professional recommendation letter. Discussing detail about your need and Chevening’s demand with the referee is very important to get a worthy recommendation letter.

However, from choosing course, writing essay to facing interview; I was confident about my future career plan and relevancy between my intended course and previous education. I also demonstrated that very extensively before the interview board. In addition, I researched development goals of Bangladesh and UK and the UK’s area of interest in Bangladesh. Subsequently, I established relationship of my study with them and convinced the board that why Bangladesh needs more expertise on my intended study field. I also explained everything extensively what I wrote in my essays.. I believe all these were impressed them to award me the scholarship.

Whether you have brilliant academic record or not, whether you studied in public or private university are not at all criteria to be considered. Even many people told me that I’ll not get the scholarship as I haven’t public university background. Nevertheless, the whole selection process is governed by respective UK Embassy/High Commission or Consular office and by an independent secretariat. Therefore, there is no question of influence by anything else; only your ability to write and speak in English, leadership and other skills, capacity to demonstrate your dream and relevancy of your dream with the reality can turn your aspiration to be a Chevener into truth.

The Author is a Chevening Scholar 2017-18 and now pursuing LLM in International Energy Law & Policy at the University of Stirling, UK. 
Published in the Young Observer of the daily Observer on 12-10-2017 at page 10.

Time to Apply for Chevening Scholarship

Chevning is a British Government’s prestigious scholarship funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other partner organizations to sponsor study master degree in UK. This scholarship is mainly aiming to select potential global leaders around the globe. It is a full funded award which covers full tuition fee, living expense, travel cost etc.

Time for Application: Basically Chevening secretariat invites application in August each year and offers about 1800 award all over the world of which Bangladesh normally gets 12-16. This year their application portal opens on 7 August and will continue till 7 November.

Eligibility Criteria: To be competent for a Chevening scholarship the applicant must be a citizen of Bangladesh but not having dual citizenship with the UK; having at least a bachelor degree by which one can get admit into a UK university; have at least two years of work experience which is equivalent to 2800 hours in UK regardless of paid or unpaid work, voluntary service or internship but not done in partial fulfillment of the degree requirement. The applicant also needs a score of on an average 6.5 but not less than 5.5 in any module in IELTS. However, Chevening gives the opportunity to prove the IELTS result even after conditional selection for the scholarship, the deadline of which is 12 July 2018.

In addition, the applicant has to choice either three different courses or similar course at three universities from the list provided by Chevening portal. It is the duty of the applicant to get unconditional offer letter by 12 July 2018 from one of his/her desired university to get the final award. Nevertheless, universities are normally sent an unconditional offer letter after showing them the conditional selection letter from Chevening secretariat without any fees. But you have to contact with the universities early and universities are mainly focusing on previous academic record and efficiency on English language whereas some may ask for motivation letter. Apart from these, the applicant will be asked to produce two recommendation letters after being primarily selected for interview stage. The recommendation letters may be either academic or professional or both. But as Chevening is looking for leadership skill, hence you have to discuss with your referees about your strength and demand of Chevening as well and request them to put some illustrations of your skills. However, it has a significant condition that the awardee will stay in his/her country for a period of minimum two years after completion of study.

Ineligibility: If one is an employee or a former employee or relative of an employee of British Government, the British Council or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, then s/he will be excluded automatically during the selection process. However, employees, former employees or relatives of an employee of Chevening partner organizations are still eligible to apply. Nevertheless, previous UK degree will not exclude anybody unless s/he got any UK government funded grant earlier.

What is essential: Indeed a brilliant academic record or a degree from a reputed public university are not essential to secure this scholarship rather moderately good academic result either from public or private university may bring success if you have a firm vision about your future career plan, leadership and influence skills, networking skill, confident about your potentiality and can speak and write in English well. In fact Chevening is looking for all these qualities. To demonstrate your skills exhaustively into the application form, you need to write four essays about these. Each essay is consisting of 500 words. You should put focus on what they actually want to know about your leadership and influential skills, networking skill, future plan, relevancy of your intended study with previous education and career etc. instead of looking into another one’s essay. Putting some real life instances would definitely strengthen your write up. You must be honest in highlighting your strength and weakness as well. Specifically highlight on the development goals of UK and Bangladesh and the relevancy of your previous education and profession with your intended study in UK. These are really significant to minimize the distance between your dream and reality to achieve the award.

Hence this is high time to think about Chevening scholarship who meets the eligibility criteria and let’s have a try to obtain a prestigious degree from a globally reputed university.

For details: www.chevening.org

Published in the daily Peoples Time & Daily Sun on 08 October 2017.

শিভেনিং স্কলারশিপের খুঁটিনাটি!

কৃচ্ছতা সাধনের এই যুগে এখনো বৃটিশ সরকার সারা বিশ্বের শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্যে বিলেতে উচ্চশিক্ষা গ্রহণের সুযোগ অব্যাহত রেখে যে স্বল্প সংখ্যক পূর্ণ তহবিল বৃত্তি চালু রেখেছে শিভেনিং স্কলারশিপ তার মধ্যে অন্যতম। মেধাবী ও নেতৃতে যোগ্যতাসম্পন্ন তরুণদের সারা পৃথিবী থেকে বাছাই করে এই বৃত্তির আওতায় যুক্তরাজ্যে এক বছর মেয়াদী স্নাতকোত্তর পড়ার সুযোগ করে দেয়া হয়। সারা পৃথিবীতে অত্যন্ত চাহিদাসম্পন্ন এবং মর্যাদাপূর্ণ এই বৃত্তি ২০১৭-১৮ শিক্ষাবর্ষে বিশ্বের ১৪১ টি দেশের প্রায় ৭০,০০০ হাজার আবেদনকারীর মধ্য থেকে মাত্র  ১৭৬৫ জন যুক্তরাজ্যের বিভিন্ন বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে মাস্টার্স কোর্স করার সুযোগ পেয়েছেন। তাঁদের মধ্যে বাংলাদেশ থেকে ৭০০ আবেদনকারীর মধ্যে ১৬ জন এবছর শিভেনিং বৃত্তির জন্য মনোনীত হয়ে ইতোমধ্যে বৃটেনে তাদের পড়ালেখা শুরু করে দিয়েছেন।

মূলত যুক্তরাজ্য সরকারের ফরেন ও কমনওয়েলথ (এফসিও) অফিস এবং সহযোগী বিভিন্ন প্রতিষ্ঠানের আর্থিক সহযোগিতায় পরিচালিত এই স্কলারশিপে একজন শিক্ষার্থীকে তার পড়ালেখার পূর্ণ খরচ (১৮০০০ পাউণ্ড পর্যন্ত), বৃটেনে বসবাস ও জীবনধারণের জন্য এক বছর পর্যন্ত মাসিক ভাতা; নিজ দেশ থেকে যাওয়া ও আসার বিমান টিকেটসহ বিভিন্ন ভাতা এমনকি এই স্কলারশিপের আওতায় প্রযোজ্য ভিসা ফি মওকুফ এবং ভিসা পেতে যে মেডিকেল টেস্ট করা লাগে তার ফিও বহন করা হয়। অর্থাৎ এক বছরের পড়াশুনার প্রাসঙ্গিক মোটামুটি সমস্ত খরচ এই স্কলারশিপের আওতায় বহন করা হয়।

আবেদনের সময়ঃ শিভেনিং বৃত্তির জন্য মূলত অনলাইনে আবেদন চালু হয় আগস্ট মাসে (এবছর ২০১৮-১৯ শিক্ষাবর্ষের জন্য আবেদন চালু হয়েছে ৭ আগস্ট থেকে যা চলবে চলতি বছরের ৭ নভেম্বর পর্যন্ত) এবং ক্লাস শুরু হয় পরবর্তী বছরের সেপ্টেম্বর মাসে। তাই মোটামুটি এক বছরের দীর্ঘ প্রক্রিয়া হিসেবে ধরে নেয়া যায় একে। আগে বৃটিশ কাউন্সিলের মাধ্যমে হলেও এখন স্বতন্ত্র সচিবালয় ও স্থানীয় হাই কমিশনের মাধ্যমে পুরো বাছাই প্রক্রিয়া সম্পন্ন হয়।

আবেদনের যোগ্যতাঃ শিভেনিং যেসমস্ত দেশের নাগরিকদের বৃত্তি দেয় সেসব দেশের যেকোন একটির নাগরিক হতে হবে। বাংলাদেশীরা সে তালিকায় আছে; তবে বৃটেনে দ্বৈত নাগরিকত্ব থাকলে তিনি এক্ষেত্রে বিবেচিত হবেন না। ন্যূনতম স্নাতক ডিগ্রি থাকতে হবে, যা দিয়ে বিলেতের কোন বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে মাস্টার্স কোর্সে ভর্তি হওয়া যায়। কমপক্ষে দুই বছরের কাজে অভিজ্ঞতা লাগবে; তাই সদ্য স্নাতক পাস করা ছাত্র-ছাত্রীবৃন্দ আবেদনের জন্য যোগ্য বিবেচিত হবেন না; যদিনা ছাত্রাবস্থায় কাজের অভিজ্ঞতা (ইন্টার্নশিপ, তবে কোর্স সম্পন্ন করার জন্য নয়; পূর্ণকালীন; খণ্ডকালীন; মজুরির বিনিময়ে বা ছাড়া, যাই হোক না কেন) বা স্বেচ্ছাসেবার দুই বছরের অভিজ্ঞতা না থাকে। বৃটেনে কাজের অভিজ্ঞতা গণনা করা হয় ঘণ্টা হিসেবে তাই দুই বছরের অভিজ্ঞতা প্রমাণে ন্যূনতম ২৮০০ ঘণ্টা কাজের অভিজ্ঞতা দেখাতে হবে।

তবে বৃটিশ হাই কমিশন, বৃটিশ কাউন্সিল, এ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব কমনওয়েলথ ইউনিভার্সিটিস বা বৃটিশ সরকারের কোন প্রতিষ্ঠানের সাবেক বা বর্তমান কর্মী বা তাদের আত্মীয় এই বৃত্তির আওতাভুক্ত হবেন না। বাংলাদেশী আবেদনকারীদের ইংরেজি ভাষায় দক্ষতা প্রমাণে অবশ্যই আইইএলটিএস-এ গড়ে কমপক্ষে ৬.৫ (তবে কোন মডিউলেই ৫.৫ এর কম না) থাকতে হবে (এক্ষেত্রে আপনি যে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ভর্তি হতে চান সেখানে স্কোর আরও বেশি চাইলে তা পেতে হবে)। শিভেনিং-এ আবেদন করার একটা বড় সুবিধা আবেদনের সময়ই আইইএলটিএস স্কোর ওয়েবসাইটে আপলোড করা লাগে না। স্কলারশিপের জন্য শর্তাধীনভাবে বিবেচিত হওয়ার পর এবছর সর্বশেষ ১২ জুলাই পর্যন্ত তা আপলোড করা যাবে। তবে প্রস্তুতি নিতে হবে আগে থেকেই। শিভেনিংয়ের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শর্ত হল ডিগ্রি শেষে নিজ দেশে কমপক্ষে দুই বছর অবস্থান করা।

পড়ার বিষয়ঃ আপনি যে বিষয়ে পড়তে ইচ্ছুক শিভেনিং এর তালিকাভুক্ত বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ১৫০০ স্নাতকোত্তর কোর্স থেকে যেকোন তিনটি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় আপনাকে আবেদনের সময়ই ঠিক করে দিতে হবে। চাইলে আপনি একই বিষয় তিনটি ভিন্ন বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে নির্ধারণ করে দিতে পারেন বা তিনটি ভিন্ন ভিন্ন বিষয়ও হতে পারে। এক্ষেত্রে আপনি যেসব বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় পছন্দের তালিকায় ঠিক করে দিচ্ছেন তাদের যেকোন একটি থেকে বিনা শর্তে ভর্তির অফার লেটার জোগাড় করতে হবে। তাই আবেদন করার পাশাপাশি একই সময়ে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়গুলির সঙ্গেও ভর্তির ব্যাপারে যোগাযোগ করা ভালো। বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়গুলিতে মূলত বিষয় পছন্দ করে অনলাইনে আপনার পূর্বের শিক্ষাগত যোগ্যতা ও আইইএলটিএস-এর স্কোর পাঠানোর প্রয়োজন পড়ে। শর্তাধীনভাবে বৃত্তি পেয়ে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়কে জানালে বিনা খরচে ও শর্তে অনলাইনে অফার লেটার পাঠিয়ে দেয়া হয়, যা দেখিয়ে আপনি চূড়ান্তভাবে শিভেনিং বৃত্তি পেতে পারেন। এমনিতে পূর্বের কোন বৃটিশ ডিগ্রি থাকলে কোন অসুবিধা নেই তবে বৃটিশ সরকারের কোন বৃত্তি পেয়ে পড়ে থাকলে শিভেনিংয়ের জন্য আর আবেদন করা যায় না।

আবেদনে পূর্ণতা আনার জন্য দুইটি রেফারেন্স লেটার আপলোড করা লাগে; তবে তা প্রাথমিক বাছাইয়ের পর ইন্টারভিউয়ের জন্য বিবেচিত হলে ইন্টারভিউ বোর্ডে বা তার আগে নির্ধারিত ওয়েব পেইজে আপলোড করা যায়। রেফারেন্স লেটারে একাডেমিক ও প্রফেশনাল দুই ধরণের সমন্বয়ই থাকতে পারে। তবে লক্ষ্য রাখতে হবে শিভেনিং যেহেতু নেতৃত্বদানে যোগ্যতাসম্পন্নদের স্কলারশিপ দিয়ে থাকে তাই রেফারেন্স লেটারে যেন আপনার সে যোগ্যতা প্রয়োজনে উদাহরণসহ স্পষ্টভাবে ফুটে ওঠে। এক্ষেত্রে তাই আপনি যাঁর নিকট থেকে রেফারেন্স লেটার সংগ্রহ করবেন তাঁকে আপনার ও শিভেনিংয়ের চাহিদা ভালোভাবে বুঝিয়ে বলতে হবে যেন আপনার কাঙ্ক্ষিত সমস্ত দিক সেখানে উঠে আসে।

বৃত্তি পেতেঃ শিভেনিং বৃত্তি পেতে স্নাতক বা স্নাতকোত্তর (যদি কারও করা থাকে) পর্যায়ে অসাধারণ ফলাফল খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হিসেবে বিবেচিত হয় না; এমনকি আপনি সরকারি না বেসরকারি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে পড়াশোনা করেছেন তাও বিবেচ্য বিষয় নয়। বরং আপনি যে বিষয় এখন পড়তে ইচ্ছুক তার সঙ্গে আপনার পূর্বের পড়ালেখা বা কর্মের সংযোগ; ইংরেজি ভাষায় লিখতে ও গুছিয়ে বলতে পারার ভালো দক্ষতা; ভবিষ্যৎ কর্ম পরিকল্পনার সঙ্গে আপনি যে বিষয়ে পড়তে চাচ্ছেন তার প্রাসঙ্গিকতা এবং তার সঙ্গে যুক্তরাজ্য ও বাংলাদেশে সরকারের অগ্রাধিকার ক্ষেত্রের সঙ্গতি প্রভৃতি বিষয়ের উপর জোর দেয়া হয় বেশি। তাই আবেদন করার পূর্বে বাংলাদেশে যুক্তরাজ্য হাই কমিশনের ওয়েব পেইজ থেকে অগ্রাধিকার ক্ষেত্রগুলি চিহ্নিত করতে পারলে ভালো হয়। শিভেনিংয়ের ওয়েব সাইটেও দেশভিত্তিক অগ্রাধিকারের বিষয়গুলি উল্লেখ থাকে।

অনলাইন আবেদন ফর্মে নিজের সম্পর্কে তথ্য, যোগাযোগের ঠিকানা, শিক্ষাগত যোগ্যতা প্রভৃতি বিষয়ের পাশাপাশি নিজের জীবনের উদাহরণসহ ৫০০ শব্দের চারটি প্রবন্ধ লিখতে হয়; নেতৃত্ব ও অনুপ্রাণিত করার ক্ষমতা; নেটওয়ার্কিং দক্ষতা; আপনি পড়ার জন্য যে বিষয় নির্ধারণ করেছেন তার সঙ্গে আপনার পূর্বের পড়ালেখা ও কর্মের সংযোগ এবং সে বিষয়ের উপর ভবিষ্যৎ ভাবনা ও আগামীর কর্ম পরিকল্পনা এই চারটি বিষয়ে প্রবন্ধ লিখতে হয়। আপনি বাছাইয়ের পরবর্তী পর্যায় অর্থাৎ ইন্টারভিউয়ের জন্য বিবেচিত হবেন কিনা তা মূলত নির্ধারণ করে এই চারটি প্রবন্ধে কত চমৎকারভাবে বাস্তব উদাহরণসহ বক্তব্য উপস্থাপন করা হচ্ছে তার উপর। তাই সময় নিয়ে নিজেকে প্রস্তুত করে একেবারেই নিজের কথাগুলি সাজিয়ে এখানে লেখা উচিৎ। কারও পূর্বের আবেদনপত্র দেখে বা কোন ওয়েব সাইটের সাহায্য নিয়ে না লেখাই ভালো। তাতে স্বকিয়তা বজায় থাকবে বেশি এবং অন্যের দ্বারা প্রভাবিত হওয়ার আশংকাও কমে যাবে। তাছাড়া আপনি নিজেই নিজের বক্তব্য সবচেয়ে সুন্দরভাবে উপস্থাপন করতে পারবেন; যা অন্যের দ্বারা সম্ভব না। এছাড়া ইন্টারভিউ পর্যায়ে মূলত এখান থেকেই প্রশ্ন করা হয়। তাই তখন আপনার দ্বারা সবকিছু ব্যাখ্যা করাও অনেক সহজ হবে। আপনাকে এসব ক্ষেত্রে বাংলাদেশের স্বার্থকে সব সময় সবার আগে প্রাধান্য দিয়ে হবে। প্রবন্ধগুলিতে খুব ভালোভাবে নিজের জীবনের উদাহরণ সহকারে নেতৃত্বের গুণাবলী ও অন্যান্য বিষয়সমূহ তুলে ধরতে হবে।

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How to Get Relief against Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is not only a domestic issue rather a global concern all over the world. Countless patients are suffering from some sorts of medical negligence everyday in any corner of the country. But it draws media’s attention only when someone died or something bigger happen for mal treatment. Presently, there are several inadequate means to get relief against clinical negligence i.e. departmental action, cancellation of registration, bringing civil and criminal cases, filing complaint under the consumer rights and judicial review.

However, the existing ways to get remedy are not well circulated. Some legal procedures are not only complex but also time consuming, labourious, pricy and often it is tough to get expected result due to many factors including biased or improper investigation, lack of technology and technical knowledge, stringent rule of evidence etc. Therefore, victims or their families are reluctant to file formal allegation against medical practitioner rather they often involved with unexpected conflicts with them to mitigate their sudden excitements after happening of an unhappy situation.

However, one can file complaint in the form of an application on white paper addressing to the registrar of the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) regarding any grievance caused by any mal treatment of a doctor, dentist or medical assistant. After getting that, the BMDC will form a committee to enquire the matter. If the accusation is proved before them then they can take action against that accused from warning to cancellation of registration depending on the gravity of wrong under the Medical and Dental Council Act, 2010 and the Code of Medical ethics adopted by the BMDC.

Nevertheless, the council is neither entitled to give any compensation nor empowered to take punitive action. After the formation of the council to till 2010 there was only 47 complaints filed in the BMDC and among them registration was cancelled permanently in one case only and in another one, registration was suspended temporarily. The rest of the cases the council merely warned or criticized the doctors or dentists. However, the BMDC’s website doesn’t have any option to file complaint through online. The enquiry is conducted by fellow physicians which questioned the neutrality and takes lengthy time. The council’s website doesn’t have any mechanism to file the complaint through online. Further, they have no power to deal with the matter relating to unregistered doctor. It is evident that the system needs to revisit. Apart from BMDC, the concerned appointing authority of the alleged physician may take departmental action like suspension from job against the accused.

Albeit there is no express provision in law for tortuous claim to get compensation for medical negligence but one can surely file civil suit for damages. However, compensation for mental trauma is yet to be recognized by our law. Complicated and arduous civil litigation system, requirement of advalorem court fee, lack of technical knowledge of lawyers’ and judges’, absence of clear law, stringent provision of producing evidence etc. are refraining complainant from litigating this kind of suit in civil courts.

The scope for criminal action for medical negligence is very narrow as well. The Penal Code (PC), 1860 only suggests to prosecute a medical practitioner for his negligent performance under section 304A; punishment of which is highest five years imprisonment or fine or with both. Victim or his near one may bring action under sections 314, 321-326 and 336-338 also. Nevertheless, the PC requires presence of strong mental element (mens rea) to prove the guilt while the context of a physician presupposes “good faith” as s/he tries to cure the patient. Hence, exemptions and immunities given for the defense of “good faith doctrine” in sections 88 and 92 of the PC thinned the scope for criminal action against clinical malpractice in Bangladesh.

Apart from these, Ss. 52 & 53 of the Consumer Rights Protection (CRP) Act, 2009 launches another door for the victim to claim compensation for medical negligence. Because a medical patient is considered as a consumer and the medical institutions or professionals are as service provider under section 2, though it is not expressly stated in the Act. Hence, one can file complaint directly to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) over phone call to 01777 753 668 or through email to nccc@dncrp.gov.bd or through post to the Director General, DNCRP, 1. Karwan Bazar (TCB Building-7^th floor), Dhaka-1215. However, the appellant will get 25% of fined money if s/he wins the case.

The CRP Act also provides forum for parallel civil jurisdiction for compensation which also not barred to bring criminal action simultaneously. The court of the Joint District Judge of whose local jurisdiction the matter has arisen is competent to try the matter and an appeal can lie to the High Court Division. However, where there is no other equally efficacious remedy obtainable under the domestic law, judicial review can also offer prospective collective remedy or open the sealed doors of procedural relief. Judicial review, in the form of Public Interest Litigation or in other cases, can provide remedy in this case.

Physicians are last resort for any physically vulnerable people. Hence, medical professionals must be accountable to ensure highest standard in healthcare. To guarantee this, enactment of a specialized legislation particularly deal with the matter and formation of an independent regulatory body are two crying needs to ensure good governance in health care sector in Bangladesh.

Published in the Law & Our Rights page of the Daily Star on 25 July 2017 

Can an Unscientific Test Prove Rape?

Bangladeshi rape victims not only suffering from grave physical and mental trauma for rape rather we can marked it as first phase of the torture which open multi windows to be persecuted further. The path way to get justice for rape victim is very stony in this country. Rape victims are usually treated judgementally from the moment they call up the incident. Indeed the victim needs to start her struggle towards justice. Victims are stricken by social stigma, repeated utterance of her harrowing experience in every steps of getting justice, maligned two-finger test, dishonour during trial by questioning chastity, humiliation by defence counsel during cross examination etc. Investigating agencies also highly relies on two-finger test to frame charge against rapist. Consequently, victims are disinclined to report the crime due to the fear of losing her privacy again after the occurrence of a monstrous crime against her. Despite that, if one justice seeker shows courage to go to court, becomes frustrate and hopeless at one point about the minimum chance of getting fare justice. As a result, either she doesn’t pursue the case properly or withdraw her complaint to become hassle free.  

Yet we can change the scenario by altering the horrendous two-finger test of the victim, amending the patriarchal legal provision of questioning character, introducing technology during investigation and so on. The horrific two-finger test is nothing but an extra torture and cruel treatment to the victim to prove the crime. The two-finger test or virginity test allows doctor to inspect the hymen of women who have been raped and also test vaginal size and laxity to decide whether the victim is habituated to sexual intercourse.

While there is no scientific or legal connection between rape, and habituation to intercourse, this evidence is frequently used in our criminal justice system to conclude whether rape took place or not. As if rape can only be committed against a virgin girl. What happen if somebody has previous sexual orientation like a married lady is being raped? It indicates that our total system is only focusing to a woman who has no prior sexual experience and others are disqualified to get justice! Additionally, if the rape survivor passes the test then she is to be treated as virgin that means she rape was not took place or alternatively, if she fails, it indicates she is sexually habituated which ultimately favors the accused.

Moreover the size of vaginal opening varies among women; the hymen is a flexible membrane which can be ruptured before sex due to many reasons. While gang rape happened the fact that finding habituation may be a result of that gang rape itself. Gang rape is more severe in nature than rape which needs to be addressed specifically by the law. Regrettably we do not have any separate provision to deal with the offence of gang rape except any woman or child dies in consequence of gang rape or injury causing out of rape. Incident may become more brutal if it commits against a pregnant woman.

However, there are too many variables to determine the flexibility of the vagina e.g. the size of doctor’s finger, perception of easy accessibility of the doctor may varies from person to person, experience etc. Additionally, rape can also be committed by partial penetration of penis; complete penetration or ejaculation is not at all necessary to prosecute the rapist. Even someone can bring allegation of rape against an individual with whom she is habituated to sex before. Habituation to intercourse itself is not a ground not to be raped.

Albeit sexual violence by means and manner other than penile-vaginal penetration is common and may take the form of penile-anal penetration, penile-oral penetration, finger-vaginal penetration or object-vaginal penetration but these are not recognised as any form of sexual violence in our country. One may merely bring an action for hurt or grievous hurt for these. Nevertheless, these are sexual assaults also and cannot be proved by outrageous two-finger test.

Furthermore, there is no sufficient and well equipped medical arrangement for this test in every hospital and often it is done by male doctor and male assistant in an open place which is a serious violation of right to privacy. Indeed this virginity test is a further arrangement of traumatization, aggression to her dignity, sexual violence by the system. However, forensic medical evidence can play crucial role to convict the accused but these issues should be dealt more sensitively. That is why; set up a separate designated room for forensic and medical examination of victims is crying need for us to avoid the infringement of privacy. There must be provisions to provide alternative clothing for the victims and smooth collection of medico legal cases evidence keeping in mind the sensitivity of the circumstances. To do any sort of medical examination for a rape victim if the doctor is male, a female attendant must be there and while carrying out medical tests no third person must be present in the room other than the doctor. Counselling should also be provided to victim to address the psycho-social impact of sexual violence and to alleviate her woes. However, doctors should not use the term rape in their opinion as it is purely legal matter which will ultimately determined by the court what we observed in Banani rape case rather they can say whether there is any evidence of forceful intercourse. Media should also be sensitive in reporting these incidents.

The World Health Organization’s guidance on the medical examination of rape survivors highlights that even a speculum examination of the vaginal walls to locate injuries “may be particularly difficult for the patient, as it may remind her of the assault. Even so concerned are not taking consent of the rape survivor to carry out the test. They presume that consent is not particularly important, as filing an FIR is deemed to entail any necessary examinations which is a misconception. Informed consent of the victim should be taken before any examination and informing to parent/guardian in case the victim is under aged or not in a position to give her consent. Names of examination, intended sample, purpose of analysis and how the procedure may be carried out has to be informed to the victim.

To come to a conclusion against this invasive human right violating, the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST); seven others human rights, women rights, legal service organizations and two other individuals filed a public interest litigation before the High Court Division (HCD) challenging the test in 2013. In response, the HCD issued a rule against the legality and authenticity of the outdated draconian practice of two-finger test. The court also ordered to frame a guideline to eliminate this practice of the test and arrange sensitivity training for the medical personnel who will deal the matter. However, regrettably the rule still remains pending before the court. Nevertheless, criminal justice experts, lawyers, police and forensic specialists have demonstrated that this kind of test has neither evidentiary value nor scientific merit rather breaches national and international human rights standards, compounds the victim’s trauma and paradoxically amounts to a further sexual assault.

Hence, we should not waste more time to abolish this terrific and unscientific process to prove rape case. Government must take immediate step(s) to eliminate two-finger test and to formulate a comprehensive medical guideline for forensic medical care for sexual assault. Otherwise, victim will not only abused by the rapist but also infringed by the state as well. 

Published in the Young Observer of the Daily Observer on 08 June 2017