Legal and Advocacy

Legal

Acid Survivors Foundation is working towards a vision of ‘Bangladesh free from acid and other form of violence. In addition to providing free medical and rehabilitation services, ASF also provides legal support to survivors.ASF has their own lawyer to help prepare case reports and provide legal advice to survivors. To ensure that the cases are filed properly ASF maintains regular contact with police authorities (deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, and officer in charge), local administrations (civil surgeons), judges and public prosecutors to facilitate effective investigations and speedy trials. ASF hands over the cases to ASF’s legal aid partner organizations which include; BRAC, Ain O Salish Kendro, Bangladesh National Lawyer’s Association (BNWLA), NariPokkho, Jatiyo Mahila Sanstha, Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastobayan Sangstha (BSEHR), and Bangladesh Legal Aid Services and Trust (BLAST). ASF lawyer refer the cases over to ASF’s legal aid partners. As the legal partners pursue cases for the survivors at the local level, ASF lawyers make follow up visits, and correspond with local police, lawyers, and local administration (union parishad, DACC, Civil Surgeon) to speed up investigations and trials. The legal unit also holds discussions and meetings with local law enforcement agencies and conduct capacity development workshops with local ASF partner organizations.

Advocacy

Prior to 2002 there was no provision in the legal framework to prevent acid offence. Acid related offenses were primarily dealt under the Repression against Women and Children Act. ASF started their relentless lobby with the government to persuade the government to introduce new laws specifically for acid offense. ASF along with other human rights organizations, social activists and pressure groups started their advocacy campaign. BMWLA submitted public interest litigation against easy access to acid to the government of Bangladesh. On March 17th 2002, the president of Bangladesh approved two laws; The Acid Control Act of 2002 and The Acid Crime Control Act of 2002.