Governance and Rights

Why is Denmark supporting human rights and democracy?

Bangladesh has made commendable progress in meeting several development challenges, which include sound macroeconomic management, consistent GDP growth and advances in key areas of human development. The country has also made some progress towards consolidating democracy. Despite these achievements, the human rights and governance situation is still very bleak. Continuing human rights violations, confrontational politics and systemic corruption are some of the major barriers to development. Very little progress has been made in the area of public sector management reform, which undermines establishment of transparency and accountability. The human rights and democracy programme therefore has been formulated to address the situation outlined above, while ensuring relevance in the current political context in Bangladesh.

As one of Bangladesh’s first international development partner, Denmark has been supporting the Government of Bangladesh and the civil society in promoting human rights and governance since the country’s independence in 1971.  During the last two decades, Bangladesh has made laudable progress in ensuring sound macroeconomic management.

Why is Denmark supporting governance and rights?
Bangladesh has followed a remarkable trajectory over the past two decades. After years of rapid growth, the country achieved lower middle-income country status in 2015. Bangladesh has made commendable progress in meeting several development challenges including steady macroeconomic management, consistent GDP growth and advances in key area of human development.  Despite these achievements, the human rights and governance situation is still not very promising. Continuing human rights violations, lack of transparency and accountability, access to justice and systemic corruption are some of the major barriers to development. The Governance and Rights Thematic Programme therefore has been formulated to address the situation outlined above, while ensuring relevance in the present political context in the country.

How is Denmark supporting Governance and Rights?
The Bangladesh Country Programme 2016-2021 has been designed in line with the Denmark-Bangladesh Country Policy that supports the implementation of Bangladesh’s 7th Five-Year Plan (2016-2021), “Accelerating Growth, Empowering Citizens” in an inclusive, pro-poor and sustainable manner.

Since 2000, various phases of the Human Rights and Good Governance Programme have been designed to support the Government and civil society organizations in their efforts to improve governance and human rights situation in Bangladesh. The Thematic Programme on Governance and Rights under the present Bangladesh Country Programme aims at contributing to promoting accountability and rights for poor and vulnerable people. This will be done in partnership with duty bearers, rights NGOs, watchdogs and international organisations. Several engagements include a particular effort to address the post-conflict situation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a region lagging behind the rest of Bangladesh in terms of income, nutrition, social services and security.  Special attention is given to the rights of women, ethnic minorities and workers in the garments industry.

The Thematic Programmes also hold ample potential for internal synergies and they have been generally designed to complement activities of Government as well as other development partners’ programmes. In terms of impact, it is expected that the Country Programme will contribute to poverty reduction, growth and sustainable development as well as to promotion of democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance.