Dhaka and Copenhagen Strengthen Cooperation on Human Rights and Civil Society Reform
Bangladesh and Denmark have strengthened their partnership to promote human rights and empower civil society. Denmark has pledged DKK 25 million (approximately Tk 420 million) to support a three-year collaboration with Bangladeshi institutions aimed at advancing freedom of expression, justice, and social inclusion.
The Danish contribution will fund the work of three organizations — DIGNITY, International Media Support (IMS), and the Danish Institute for Human Rights — in cooperation with local partners. Their joint efforts will focus on supporting independent media, providing trauma-informed rehabilitation for survivors of torture and violence, and enhancing civil society participation in governance.
According to the Danish Embassy, this initiative represents a strong commitment to strengthen Bangladesh’s human rights landscape and ensure better protection for victims of abuse. DIGNITY will work with Bangladeshi organizations to improve mental health and legal aid services for torture survivors. IMS will focus on fostering pluralism and resilience in the media, ensuring that journalists can operate freely and citizens have access to reliable information. The Danish Institute for Human Rights will assist in reforming the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to make it a more credible and independent institution that effectively collaborates with civil society.
This cooperation complements Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic reforms by emphasizing transparency, accountability, and long-term institutional capacity building. Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller described the initiative as a reaffirmation of Denmark’s support for Bangladesh’s journey toward greater human rights protection, inclusivity, and justice.
