The ICRC in Bangladesh

01-06-2011 Overview

In Bangladesh the ICRC protects and assists people affected by tensions and violence. It promotes international humanitarian law (IHL) and its implementation among the authorities, armed and security forces and academic circles, and supports the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in building its capacities. The ICRC also seeks to visit detainees in Bangladesh.

Present in the country since 2006, the ICRC signed a headquarters agreement with the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in 2010, transforming its mission in Dhaka into a delegation

The ICRC is continuing its efforts at government level to promote ratification and implementation of IHL treaties, encouraging the authorities to establish a national IHL committee. It also assists with the process of integrating IHL and international human rights law into the doctrine, training and operations of the armed forces, police and other security forces.

Efforts are also made to promote greater understanding of humanitarian principles among members of civil society, such as religious leaders, journalists and university students. Where appropriate, the ICRC seeks to enlist their support for the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Victims of violence

In the event of outbreaks of violence, the ICRC, together with the Bangladesh Red Crescent distributes assistance to the victims in order to help affected families recover more quickly. It reminds the authorities of their responsibility to protect civilians.

The ICRC enables family members stay in touch, by offering tracing and Red Cross message services or telephone contact for Bangladeshi migrants detained abroad. In coordination with the authorities, the ICRC also facilitates repatriations to Bangladesh. It helps shed light on the fate of people missing as a result of situations of violence or natural disasters, by conducting training in the management of human remains.

The ICRC also aims to strengthen the Bangladesh Red Crescent in its emergency response and family-links capacities, providing ongoing training and support. To help the Red Crescent work more efficiently in times of crisis, the ICRC provides technical support to suppress misuse of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems in the country and for the adoption of constitutional changes aimed at improving its independence.

Since 2010, the ICRC has been discussing with the Bangladeshi authorities the possibility of visiting people deprived of their freedom.

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