Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh country of information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries and relevant documents, please click here.
As UNHCR statistics generally rely on data from host countries, statistics on refugees alone can give an insufficient account of refugee numbers, as some host countries will not grant refugee status to certain groups. Including statistics for individuals in refugee-like situations is an attempt to account for unrecognised refugees and does not include internally displaced persons. Statistics for stateless refugees are included if available.
Legal aid organisations
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)
www.blast.org.bd
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1/1 Pioneer Road, Kakrail, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Tel: +88 02 83 91 97 02 or 93 49 125
Legal Aid Hotline Tel: 0 or +88 17 15 220 220
Fax: +88 02 93 47 107
Email: mail@blast.org.bd
BLAST is a partner organisation of UNHCR who provides legal assistance and advice to disadvantaged clients, providing 57,467 cases to date. It is one of the largest legal services organisations in Bangladesh, operating in over nineteen districts. It assists both women and men and undertakes extensive criminal defense work. Further, BLAST has a considerable specialisation in labour law, in addition to expertise on family and land law. It is the only NGO able to provide access to legal aid across the spectrum from the frontlines of the formal justice system to the apex court.
Organisations providing other forms of assistance
Odhikar- Bangladesh
www.odhikar.org/
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Tel: +88 02 98 88 587
Fax: +88 02 98 86 208
Email: odhikar.bd@gmail.com
Note: There are no field or branch offices
In 1994, Odhikar (a Bangla word that means ‘rights’) was established to create a wider monitoring and awareness raising system on the abuse of civil and political rights. The principal objectives of the organisation are split in two: 1) to raise the awareness of human rights and its various abuses, and 2) to create a vibrant democratic system through election monitoring. The organisation also performs policy advocacy to address the current human rights situation. Odhikar has no field or branch offices. Instead, it has trained more than 500 people all over the country to be human rights defenders, who provide information from outside Dhaka. It has developed a strong network of partners and human rights defenders not only all over Bangladesh, but also in the region. Odhikar is a member of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network.
OKUP (Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program)
www.okup.org.bd
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466, Sawdagor Garden, Nayapara, Post Office Road, Donia, Jatrabari 1236 Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel: +88 02 75 53 737
Cell: +88 0181 92 24308
Helpline Tel: +88 01 84 27 73 300
Fax: +88 02 75 53 737
Email: okup.ent@gmail.com
Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) is a community based migrants organisation, operates on the principle of human rights first priority based on gender justice, substantive equality and non-discrimination. It works as a voice for the promotion and protection of migrant rights in all stages of migration; pre-departure, post-arrival and during reintegration.
OKUP’s innovative projects include pre-departure information, post-arrival intervention and counselling for vulnerable migrants and refugees in cooperation with local organisations in destination countries. They also assist in return/repatriation and social reintegration through airport pick-ups, providing shelter, psychological counselling and legal and medical assistance. They facilitate economic reintegration through the investment of remittances for business ventures and provide vocational training. OKUP empowers migrants, refugees and their families/communities through unity, capacity building and leadership.
OKUP has a respected position in migrant communities through peer outreach networks. Over the years, OKUP has conducted substantial research and study in collaboration with CARAM Asia, UNDP and IOM.
Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) BRAC University
www.cpj.bracu.ac.bd/about/
BRAC University, Building 07, Level 09, 43 Mohakhali C/A Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Tel: 02-9844051
Email: cpj@bracu.ac.bd
Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) is a multi-disciplinary academic institute, which promotes global peace and social justice through quality education, research, training, and advocacy. CPJ is committed to identifying and promoting sustainable and inclusive solutions to a wide range of global concerns and issues, including fragility, conflict, and violence. Since its establishment in 2017, the centre has achieved vast research, training, and advocacy experiences in its three thematic areas (1) Peace and Fragility; (2) Social Justice; and (3) Open Society. In 2019, CPJ set up a Refugee Studies Unit and established a ‘satellite’ office in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar to undertake research and other activities related to Rohingya and host communities. This facility is close to the camps and serves as workstation for CPJ’s researchers and trainers. CPJ has developed partnership with community-based organisations, including educational institutions, in the camps and host community of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
LGBTI ORGANISATIONS IN BANGLADESH
Bandhu Social Welfare Society
www.bandhu-bd.org
99 Kakrail, 2nd and 3rd Floor, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
Tel: +88 01 67 51 30 045 or +88 01 71 66 36 67
Legal Helpline Tel: +88 01 77 14 44 666
Fax: 02 93 30 148
Email: info@bandhu-bd.org
Bandhu started its journey in 1996 with a mission to address the health care needs and human rights issues of sexual minority populations for achieving a vision of a Bangladesh where every person, irrespective of their gender and sexuality, is able to lead a quality life with dignity, human rights and social justice. Bandhu social welfare society offers counselling services, general physical and emotional wellbeing and support and they have a legal support officer. They also issue a yearly report on the work that they do in and around Bangladesh to help integrate sexual minorities into society in a more comprehensive manner.
Boys of Bangladesh (BoB)
www.boysofbangladesh.org
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Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Email: info.bob.bd@gmail.com
BoB, operating since 2002 is the largest network of self-identified Bangladeshi gay men living in the country and abroad. They focus on online advocacy with the intention of providing a forum and physical space for LGBT’s to meet. Based in Dhaka, this group is run by a pool of volunteers. The Facebook page of BoB acts as the main networking medium in addition to the website. BoB is a full member of Human Rights Forum of Bangladesh, Human Rights Alliance of Bangladesh and International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.