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Power Lens Bangladesh

Understanding Your Rights

A plain-language guide to some of your basic rights under Bangladeshi law, and what to do if you believe they have been violated.

This is general information, not legal advice

Every situation is different. If you are facing a specific legal problem, seek advice from a qualified lawyer or a legal aid organisation. [TO ADD: legal aid organisations you can point people to.]

Some rights you should know about

  • Freedom of expression: the right to hold and express opinions, subject to reasonable restrictions defined by law.
  • Freedom of assembly: the right to gather and protest peacefully, subject to reasonable restrictions defined by law.
  • Protection from arbitrary arrest: the right not to be detained without lawful basis, and rights around how an arrest and detention must be carried out.
  • Right to a fair trial: the right to a fair and public hearing by a competent court.
  • Right to information: the right to request information from public authorities. See How to File an RTI Request.

If you believe your rights have been violated

  1. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services first: [TO ADD: local emergency numbers].
  2. Document what happened, as soon and as safely as you can: dates, times, places, names if known, and any evidence.
  3. Seek legal advice if you can, especially for anything involving detention or a criminal charge.
  4. Tell us. Report a human rights violation, or if it is sensitive, use the whistleblower portal.

Where to look further

Rights · Understanding the Constitution · Report a violation