(TAIPEI, December 10, 2024)—On International Human Rights Day, the President of Taiwan and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy awarded Bangladesh human rights group Odhikar its annual Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award at a reception in Taipei, Taiwan. The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy gives the award annually to “courageous individuals and groups who build democracy, stand up for justice, and defend human rights.” The award comes with a grant of US$100,000.
“Recipients of this award, like Odhikar, have fought valiantly for freedom and human rights … so that unjust practices hidden in darkness can be brought to light,” said President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan.
Odhikar, which means “rights” in Bangla, is a Bangladesh-based human rights organization founded in 1994 and dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in Bangladesh. Odhikar’s reports have long exposed ignored and underreported human rights violations in Bangladesh, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, violence against women, restrictions on freedom of expression, and violations against religious, ethnic, and indigenous communities. Their reports have helped influence rights-based actions and promote democracy in Bangladesh.
Fortify Rights is the 2022 recipient of the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award and is an ally of Odhikar.