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Acid Survivors Foundation Receives 2011 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic |
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ASF along with four other NGOs from different countries received Human Rights Prize of the French Republic for 2011. The prize ‘ Liberty, Equality, Fraternity' founded in 1988 and awarded every year by the French Human Rights Commission, was handed over to the winners at a ceremony held at Quai d'Orsay, the Palais des Affaies Etrange ? res in Paris on December 10. The French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Alain Juppe ? handed over the prize to the winners. Ms.Fazilatunnessa, a survivor of acid attack, and the treasurer of the ASF board of trustees received the award on behalf of ASF. The Executive Director of ASF, Ms. Monira Rahman was also present at the award ceremony. |
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Seminar on providing legal support to survivors of acid violence |
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As part of 16 days of activism, ASF along with BRAC and with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) arranged a seminar on ‘ Ensuring legal support and removing barriers to attaining justice' for survivors of acid violence on December 8 th , 2011. Among the guests were chief guest Dr Shireen Sharmin Chaudhury, State Minister of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, special guest Benzir Ahmed, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, special guest Shawkat Mustafa, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs. The welcome speech was given by ASF Chairperson, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman. The seminar ended with an open discussion between public prosecutors, police, BRAC staff lawyers, BRAC panel lawyers and acid survivors. |
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Australia provides support to Acid Survivors Foundation |
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The Sex Discrimination Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Ms. Elizabeth Broderick launched Australia's support to ASF at a launching ceremony held at ASF on November 29 th , 2011. AusAID will provide support to ASF to assist the survivors of acid attacks with physical reconstruction, rehabilitation, and legal assistance. ASF's Chairperson Dr. Iftekhar Zaman welcomed the contribution along with ASF Executive Director Ms. Monira Rahman. The Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr Justin Lee, AusAID Bangladesh First Secretary, Ms. Rachel Payne, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Md. Humayun Kabir, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Ms. Shaheen Anam were also present at the launching ceremony. Prior to the ceremony Ms. Elizabeth Broderick visited the ASF hospital and ASF's three income generating projects where she interacted with survivors.
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ASF participating in the South Asia Social Forum |
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ASF is participating in the five- day South Asia Social Asia Forum which is being held from November 18 th to November 22 nd at Dhaka University. The ultimate goal of the forum is to create a New South Asia free from poverty and hunger caused by exploitation, deprivation, discrimination and oppression, and establish a common humanity based on equality, freedom and justice. The specific objective of the forum is to create an open space for South Asian civil society, social movements and peoples' initiatives to exchange alternative ideas and practices, and expressing global solidarity for people's struggle against injustice. ASF along with other organizations participated in the inaugural rally on November 18 th . ASF also set up a stall to share information and materials on ASF's strategy to combat acid violence in Bangladesh. The stall also highlighted ASF's three income generating projects for survivors; catering project, tailoring project, and pressure garments project.
As part of the Forum, ASF and Manusher Jonno Foundation also organized a seminar on “Effective Strategy to combat Gender Based Violence-South Asia Perspective” on November 21 st . The seminar gathered experienced and committed human rights activists to exchange ideas and best practices in combating the worldwide problems of violence against women. The panelists for the seminar included: Mr M.B Akhter- Program Manager, Oxfam GB; Ms. Naheed Ahmed- National Program Manager , UN Women; Ms. Mahal Aminuzzaman, Acting Head of Section, Human Rights and Good Governance, DANIDA; Ms. Marriane Berner, International Program Manager, Joint Program to address VAW, UNFPA; and Dr. Abul Hossain, Director of Multisectoral Program, Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs. The session was chaired by Ms. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation. Each of the panelists gave a brief presentation on strategies implemented by their organizations to combat gender based violence in Bangladesh, the challenges faced, and the lessons learnt. The presentations were followed by a discussion where the issue of greater coordination between NGOs, civil society and government was stressed. |
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The British Minister for International Development visits ASF |
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Alan Duncan, MP, The British Minister for International Development visited Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) on 21 st June 2011 along with Chris Austin, Country Representative DFID, and Naved Chowdhury, Social Development Advisor DFID. He accompanied by Monira Rahman, Executive Director ASF, visited ASF Hospital and talked with the survivors. DFID through Manusher Janno Foundation is providing funding to the ASF and the minister was very happy to see the work done by the Acid Survivors Foundation. He is hoping to continue to support the good work. During the visit he said, I have seen many women who has been attacked with acid. It is unfamiliar to us. The phenomenon though declined is far too bad a problem. It is good to see that they are receiving treatment and campaign support. Justice is what I think is to money we spent. |
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Monira Rahman received WORLD'S CHILDREN'S PRIZE 2011 |
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On 28th April 2011,50 children from 15 countries honoured Monira Rahman, Murhabazi Namegabe and Cecilia Flores-Oebanda the child right heroes for millions of children at an Award Ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, Sweden. The big surprise at the ceremony was that the democracy champion in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, became a new patron of the World's Children's Prize. H.M. Queen Silvia presented a symbol for this, the World's Children's Prize crystal globe, in a ceremony for Aung San Suu Kyi. At the ceremony the Children and H.M. Queen Silvia presented the children's Honorary Award to Monira Rahman from Bangladesh, for her fearless struggle for those mainly girls who have been the victims of acid attacks or petrol attacks and whose appearances have been destroyed.
The World's Children's Prize, founded in Sweden in 2000, is run annually in collaboration with tens of thousands of teachers and hundreds of organisations all over the world. It is considered as Children's Noble Prize. The patrons of the World's Children's Prize include Nelson Mandela, H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, Aung San Suu Kyi and Graça Machel. |
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South East Asia Burn Care Training 3rd to 6th April 2011 |
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A group of 47 burn care experts and burn care providers from 6 South East Asian countries and International participants from Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States of America met in Srimongol, Bangladesh from 3rd to 6th April 2011 under the auspices of Interburns and Acid Survivors Foundation, Bangladesh to consider the practicalities of providing quality burn care in resource limited environments and how to reduce the morbidity and mortality of burn injuries.
95% of all burn injuries globally, 70% of these affecting children, happen in low and middle income countries. Burn injuries are often referred to as the forgotten public health crisis, in some low income countries burn injuries cause as many deaths as HIV and TB. Those who survive the burn injury are usually left unnecessarily disabled and disfigured.
All the participants shared and debated their experiences and ideas while experiencing exquisite Bangladeshi hospitality. As unique as Srimangal's 7 Layered Tea, the event was a great success and will be marked as a landmark for spreading effective quality burn care in developing countries. |
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VISIT TO ACID SURVIVORS FOUNDATION (ASF) BY
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL, PRINCESS ANNE |
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A visit took place today, 1 st March 2011, by her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to the Acid Survivors Foundation in Banani. The Princess met acid survivors. She was met by the chairman of ASF, Dr Iftekharzaman. He said, We are honoured by your visit. You graciously sent us greetings on the occasion of our 5 th and 10 th anniversaries. This visit is further evidence of your support for our work. |
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| English Cricket Team Visits ASF at 17th February 2011 |
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English Cricket Team take some time out from their busy schedule to stand besides the Acid Survivors. They made a short visit to our office and see the survivors at work and receiving treatment at the hospital. They spend some quality time with the survivors who were delighted to have one of the prominent team of this year's ICC World Cup, specially just before the opening ceremony which was held later that event. Survivors entertained them by singing and dancing for them spontaneously. All the team member, including Coach and supporting Officials, were inspired by the spirit of survivors. |
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From left Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey, Federal Councilor and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Sergeo A. Ordzhonikidze, Director General, UNOG; Dr. Theodor H. Winkler, Ambassador, Director, DCAF; ASF Treasurer & Acid Survivor Representative Ms. Fazilatun Nessa and ASF Executive Director Ms. Monira Rahman at session on women, peace and security: from resolution to action. Ten years of Security Council Resolution 1325, took place on 15 th September 2010 in Geneva.
UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE STATEMENT FOR UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL EVENT ON ACID ATTACKS & WOMEN
"From my position as Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, I have tried to ensure that the torture and ill-treatment protection framework is applied in a gender-sensitive manner to ensure that women are effectively protected from any form of violence that may constitute torture and/or ill-treatment.......I have previously focused on several types of gender-specific violence among which domestic violence in the form of intimate parrtner violence might be of interest to this panel since often, women victims of acid throwing are attacked by husbands, ex-partners and/or partners. In the case of women victims of acid attacks, they are faced both by physical challenges, that may require long term surgical treatment, as well as by psychological challenges, which require long-term intervention from counsellors at each stage of the physical recovery. When viewed through the prism of the anti-torture framework, the fight to end violence against women can be strengthed and provided with a broader scope of prevention, protection, justice and reparation for women. "
Please click here for full statement of the UN SR on Torture .
Reflections on the first ten years of ASF Bangladesh - In the light of the recent celebration
May 12 th 1999 - May 12 th 2009
Those many who have joined, first John Morrison, then Monira Rahman in their leadership of the struggle against acid violence and for the victim's well-being, have been inspired by their wisdom and energy in developing the holistic approach, their dedication in the face despair and their determination when overcome by fatigue.
Our ultimate inspiration has been the fortitude of the victims.
Our goals of facilitating the transformation of victims into survivors and of the ultimate eradication of acid violence have been achieved to a degree beyond our dreams - but are not yet complete.
The face of a victim is a mirror for the dreadful depths to which inhumanity can sink - but the face of a survivor is a reflection of the heights to which the human spirit can rise.
We are honoured to serve and humbled by the margin by which we have not yet reached our aims - but we struggle on.
Dr Ronald William Hiles OBE, MBChB, FRCSEd, FRCS
Dhaka, 12 th May 2009
A recent Pakistani victim, rapidly becoming a survivor, May 13 th Dhaka .
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FOCUS: DURJOY |
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Durjoy-a loving, dainty and helpless baby boy of just 15 months. His aunt fed him acid when he was just 1 month 19 days due to distribution of land. It was a winter morning of January 2005. His parents were initially not aware that he had been fed acid, and thought it was the side effect of a polio immunization, which he had been given that morning. His parents took him to khulna Medical college Hospital from Jessore Shadar Hospital, Where he received treatment for 1 month and 10 days and then sent to his maternal grandfather’s house. 
Durjoy’s mouth closed up and his chin started
to amalgamate with his chest. His breathing
had become more labored, and he could only
be fed via a drop. ASF was informed of Durjoy’s
case by our partner organization from the
outset; however, his parents refused ASF
help, as they feared the repercussions from
society due to the attacker being a member
of their own family. When ASF initially
contacted them, they denied that the injure
was acid related. We denied access to Durjoy and were therefore unable to assess whether this was the case. |
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After his apparent scarring, Durjoy was taken to a local doctor, who advised his parents to take him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. On July 15th 2005, he was taken to DMCH where he was operated on. He was kept there for 5 months. On his second visit to DMCH, Dr.Hiles saw him and referred his case to Acid Survivors Foundation. ASF’s resident Dr.Rebecca Milton contacted Durjoy’s family, who after much coaxing, agreed to come to ASF. Durjoy was admitted into Jibon Tara on the 6th March 2006. Durjoy was operated on the 10th March 2006, by Dr.Hiles and his team of Surgeons, and is now on his way to recovery. At 15 months, he still has not uttered his first words, but expresses his needs with his eyes. His parents would earnestly like to hear him speak his first words. Hopefully, with ASF, this will be possibility.
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| We are pledged to ignite a new hope inside the survivors and want them to reintegrate in the society. We are trying to bring back the smile to the survivors form the very beginning and motivate them through a new way of life. |
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Copyright © 2005 ASF. All Rights Reserved. |
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