The High Court has directed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to raise any matters before the court if the government authorities concerned do not comply with the commission's recommendation.
The bench of Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Rajik Al Jalil issued the directives on Monday after concluding the hearing of a writ on the allegation of abuse against and torture on domestic worker Khadija.
Barrister Abdul Halim and advocate Ishrat Hasan filed the writ on behalf of the Children’s Charity of Bangladesh.
The High Court also asked the NHRC to take steps on behalf of the child victim within 60 days.
The court said if the commission could determine and substantiate acts of abuse or torture against Khadija, the commission should put forward recommendations to the government to compensate for the victim.
According to the writ documents, domestic worker Khadija was abused at a house in Dhaka’s Mirpur area in 2013. Later, the incident was widely discussed in the media.
Barrister Abdul Halim sent a letter to the NHRC to take necessary steps and investigate into human rights violation against Khadija. However, five years after the alleged incident of abuse, the commission has yetto take any steps.
On December 22, 2018, Abdul Halim filed a writ with the High Court. On January 9, the High Court issued the ruling in this regard.
