Compassion and a strong moral compass is essential to every democratic society. Yet,
persecution, injustice and abuse still runs rampant and is tearing at the very fabric of
civilization. We must ensure that we have strong institutions, global standards of justice, and a
commitment to peace everywhere. Goal 16 is about promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing
access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. People
everywhere should be free of fear from all forms of violence and feel safe as they go about their lives
whatever their ethnicity, faith or sexual orientation. High levels of violence and insecurity have a
destructive impact on our development. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are prevalent
where there is conflict or no rule of law. Governments, civil society and communities need to work
together to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting
human rights is key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms, combating corruption, and
ensuring inclusive participation at all times. A better understanding of the links between environment and
human security is vital for effective conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and promotion of
peaceful and inclusive societies.
Aparajeyo-Bangladesh Interventions:
Prevention forms a central part of how Aparajeyo-Bangladesh works to protect human rights. Human
rights are at the core of creating national protection systems, building resilience, and mitigating the worst
impacts of crises and conflicts on those most vulnerable. Our work on the human rights aspects of early
warning and prevention is central to our renewed focus on sustaining peace. Prevention is also key to
advancing sustainable development goals. We help to sustain both peace and growth by showing how
applying human rights can address grievances, reduce inequality and build resilience.
At grassroots level, peer promoters and the society as a whole are mobilized and involved in any step of
our actions; their empowerment is nourished by their active role in and participation to our activities; peer
promoters are selected from the most active beneficiaries and are the driving force for achieving proposed
results; such participation will facilitate the establishment of the system of information sharing and mutual
aid within and among the most marginalized communities. The results of our interventions constitute the
various stages of an integrated program of assistance to children, youth and women and of reinforcement
of the local development capacities:
Legal Aid and Support: A child should never be in prison because a prison is otherwise identified as a ‘school
of crime’. The children who are in contact/conflict with the law as offenders as well as victims are provided with
legal aid and support. They are represented in court by AB’s panel lawyers headed by Senior Legal Advisers.
AB executes bail bond on behalf and/or pursue to speed up trail in the juvenile court until disposal of cases for
children without parents/guardians. AB’s Social Workers and Child Rights Officers release children from the
Police Stations through negotiations who have no specific charges but arrested on doubtful grounds.
When a case is disposed or bailed out from State remand or police stations, children are taken to AB’s safe
shelters where they receive appropriate support. Children with parents are handed over at the earliest with
proper documentation and family counseling. Children whose parents/guardian cannot be traced continue at the
shelter programme and they receive all support for their development and social integration. Youth and women
also receive legal aid support.
Source: Annual Report 2022