Activity Report

Reporting Period:

July 2016 - June 2017

Madaripur Legal Aid Association New Town, Madaripur.

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Contents

1. Introduction 2. About MLAA 3. Overview of the achievement 4. Core Program: Access to Justice and Human Rights (Phase iii) i) Description of the Project ii) Achievement a) Output-1: Advocacy to ensure better access to justice for disadvantaged b) Output-2: Increased capacity of duty bearers to activate local level justice c) Output-3: Access to formal and informal justice system increased d) Output-4: Institutional capacity of MLAA strengthened iii) Problem faced and suggested action to meet the problems iv) Impact analysis v) Conclusion vi) Annexure 5. Other projects a) Activating Village Courts in b) Access to Justice through Community Legal Service c) Improvement of the Real Situation of Overcrowding in Prisons in Bangladesh d) Justice Reform and Corruption Prevent (JRCP) Project e) Promoting Access to Justice through Enhanced Responsiveness and Accountability of Communities and Public Institutions. f) Enabling Access to Justice for Unban Dwellers.

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Introduction:

Since its inception in the year 1978, Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA) has traversed a long way to minimize gross social injustices that have so unkindly gripped the poor and marginalized sections of the society of our country.

The organization has been undertaking broad-based programs which are legal aid to the poor, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) involving community participation to resolve civil and compoundable criminal disputes locally, activating Village Courts & Arbitration Council, human rights education and implement a wide range of awareness and capacity building activity for raising awareness of community people.

Over time, MLAA prepared itself to initiate advocacy for mass awareness and at the same time to legitimatize and reform policies in formal and informal judicial system the organization, with the assistance of other right based organizations, strived to stir the sensibility of the policy makers and duty bearers. MLAA has developed its capacity in technical and managerial aspects as well as upgraded and developed different policies, manuals & modules which contribute to strengthen its institutional capacities. Its training cell is well equipped to transfer knowledge and skills to the local community and other stakeholders. MLAA has been working for implementing its access to justice and human rights program in Madaripur, Shariatpur and Gopalgonj district and also replicating the same program in another 11 districts.

About MLAA

Values

MLAA believes in integrity, justice, governance, and accountability in the way it works with oppressed, vulnerable and deprived people. MLAA recognizes respects and upholds equality and equity among women and men.

Vision

A just society where rule of law and human rights is upheld.

Mission

MLAA will strive to ensure access to justice and legal rights for all people irrespective of sex, cast, creed, religion, sexual orientation, race and those affected by HIV/AIDs through the informal justice processes and formal justice system.

Main Objective:

Access to Justice increased empowerment of disadvantaged people, particularly women & Children.

What MLAA do Since its inception in 1978, MLAA has continued its efforts to peruse people's empowerment, gender equity, good governance and human rights in order to make the justice system and legal services easily accessible and affordable for the indigent. For the past 38 years Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA) has developed sustainable Page-03 programs that address the greatest challenges with formal and informal justice system in Bangladesh.

MLAA has made enormous progress at the grass roots level in enhancing access to justice and human rights for the poor people, especially women, in three districts- Madaripur, Shariatpur and Gopalganj. MLAA also provides the same services to the indigent in other districts of the country. Starting its activities with Free Legal Aid program, MLAA has flourished in Mediation, activated Village Court and Arbitration Council, which are dispute resolution mechanisms of local justice system. Also provides legal support to reduce overcrowding in prisons, facilitate to activate govt. legal aid services, justice reform and advocacy to legal reforms.

Brief Overview of main achievement:

Reaching the target is not only the achievement of a project. It need qualitative result also, particularly for the project ensure justice from the grass roots level to the national level creating opportunity of access to justice for all. And to address the issue MLAA gave importance in both quantitative and qualitative aspects. The Core Program:

MLAA has been continuing its advocacy initiatives to reform law and policy in formal and informal judicial system. MLAA facilitates advocacy by inviting key players in the justice system, such as lawyers, local administration, local government and UP representatives to discuss common problems and develop a common strategy for addressing the issues.

MLAA observed International Human Rights day, Women‟s Day with the participation students and teachers of different educational institutions, staffs of other NGOs and govt. officials with an aim to bring them in a network to disseminate the new trend of human rights and motivate them to act for protecting human rights.

Through the Free Legal Aid program, a total of 687 cases were conducted including 168 newly filed and 519 pending cases from previous years. Among them 253 cases were disposed, 15 cases were rejected and the total number of pending cases are now 419.

During the reporting period under the local justice program MLAA facilitated to resolve 2576 disputes through mediation. A total of Tk.91,096,925/- was recovered as maintenance and Denmohor (dower), recovery of money and compensation for damage of crops, compensation against injuries and land. Additionally, the Village Courts settled 694 civil and criminal cases in which beneficiaries received an amount of Tk. 4,725,050/-/- approximately in cash and kind which include compensations, recovery of loans & money transactions and price (approximate) of recovered land. The Arbitration Council resolved 290 disputes. In the above three local dispute resolution systems, 81.64% women were directly benefited.

To enhance the capacity of duty bearers MLAA conducted different meetings and workshops for CBO members, religious leaders, activists and teachers & students of Collage & Madras. It reached around 27,770 people through organization of 1171 courtyard meetings, 932 ward CBO meetings and 94 central CBO meetings. Page-04

MLAA arranged coordination meetings at three stages namely, central, district and thana coordination meeting to create awareness among the staff and stakeholders on local justice system, human rights and gender issues. A total 48 meetings were organized to coordinate the field level activities.

To ensure transparency in the on-going activities MLAA‟s Monitoring cell has been working with specific responsibility. It has been seen that, in the decision making process 91% mediation decision made through party‟s opinion, 7.27 % decision taken by the board which was made by the parties‟ opinion and 1.73% decision was imposed. It has also seen that Madaripur Mediation Model (MMM) has been adopted and implemented as because in the mediation session 34.66% CBO women has been taken part as president of those sessions. It has also seen that 87% decisions made parties abides by and are getting full remedy, 3% getting partial remedy and 10% decision made parties are not abides by. 90% beneficiaries have been satisfied over the decision taken in the mediation.

Supplementary Projects :

MLAA is currently implementing supplementary projects to augment its main thematic approach. Three projects were implemented to expand MLAA‟s local justice programs to other regions throughout Bangladesh. The project „Promoting Access to Justice through Enhanced Responsiveness and Accountability of Communities and Public Institutions‟ is successfully running MMM, VC, and AC in 42 UPs of Bangladesh. The project, “Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh-Phase-ii” worked to activate Village Courts in 235 Ups of and Mymenshing Division. Another project has also been implemented to increase the community involvement in attaining justice most effectively when the community takes ownership of its own. The project “Community Legal Services” is promoting partnerships between the communities in 70 Unions of 4 districts in Bangladesh.

MLAA is also working to reduce prison overcrowding and ensure prisoners are treated in accordance with the law through the project jointly initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prison Directorate „Improving the Real Situation of Overcrowding in Prison in Bangladesh‟. MLAA has been working in 4 districts Madaripur, Shariatpur, Gopalgonj and Sirajgonj involving 28 paralegals.

MLAA has been undertaken a pilot project on „Justice Reform and Corruption Prevention (JRCP)‟ with collaboration of Ministry of home affairs of Bangladesh Govt. and Anti-Corruption Commission with a strategy to strengthen of social movement against corruption for promoting good governance in. The project works in Madaripur and Gopalgonj districts covering 4 Upazillas.

To ensure justice for the urban poor MLAA has been implementing a project „Enabling Access Justice for Urban Dwellers‟ in 14 Pawrashavs of Madaripur, Shariatpur and Gopalgonj districts and 5 wards of Khulna City Corporation.

MLAA started Justice for All (JFA) project in with an aim to support DLAC, UZLAC & UPLAC to provide legal aid services. Through this project MLAA also works with the communities to aware people about DLAC, UZLAC & UPLAC and their roles and responsibilities.

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Core Program: Access to Justice and Human Rights

Project Description:

To contribute to make a just society is the goal of the project where rule of law and human rights of vulnerable groups are upheld and the objective is to increase access to justice to empower disadvantaged people, particularly „women‟. To achieve the objective the project has accommodated different activities to open new avenues of access to justice for the poor and vulnerable group.

Through effective implementation of various activities of the project „Access to Justice and Human Rights‟ a positive change has been coming out to make justice easily and equally accessible for its target communities through increase accountability of the duty bearers, accessing justice for the poor marginalized and vulnerable people through well functioned local justice systems, establish legal rights of disadvantaged and empower women to raise voice against the rights violations and to functional effective judicial system for protect the human, legal and women rights of the disadvantaged. The overall result of the above initiatives has been contributing for a just society which has been complementing the objective of the project.

The major components of the project are: 1) enabling people to access formal courts through free legal aid, 2) empower people to resolve their disputes at the community level through the Madaripur Mediation Model (MMM), and 3) empowering local government to provide local justice through the Village Court (VC) and Arbitration Counsel (AC).

Goal :

A just society where rule of law and human rights of vulnerable groups are upheld.

Objective:

Increase access to justice to empower disadvantaged people, particularly women.

Activity Area:

Districts : 3 (Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur) : 15 (all Upazilas of Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur districts) Unions : 35

Stakeholders:

The disadvantaged rural people, the poor, particularly women and children are the main stakeholder. Secondary stakeholders are UP representatives (chairmen and members), village leaders, panel lawyers and their associates, journalists, government officials and NGO activists.

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4. Description of the Performance

Advocacy

To influence policymakers in a planned and organized manner MLAA‟s advocacy unit have been taking some initiatives and recommendations are gathered from grass root level to convey these up to policy level. To create a positive change in the policy level, the advocacy unit of MLAA collected opinion of different stakeholders about Village Courts and Arbitration Council from ward and union level through various meetings, especially from CBO meetings.

As a part of its advocacy campaign, MLAA observed International Human Rights Day and International Women Day with the participation of MLAA officials, govt. officials, like-minded NGOs, children, local elites, students and teachers. MLAA also organized rallies, drawing competitions, poster displays, drama shows and a meeting on the issues relevant to Human Rights and International Children Rights Day.

Result achieved

Local justice systems like Village Courts and Arbitration Council have drawn the attention of relevant service providers through local level advocacy. Gaps and limitations in local justice system have been identified from different seminars & workshops and necessary recommendations are placed to the policy makers to overcome these gaps.

Access to formal and informal justice system

Free Legal Assistance

MLAA provides legal aid services to the disadvantaged, in particular the poor women and children, to establish their rights with positive impact of change their socio- economic status.

Case applications by clients are assessed at union level, Upazilla offices and at the district offices. Disputes that are family matter, neighborhood, land, commercial, pretty criminal (compoundable) but non-violent in nature are referred for mediation. Some are referred for litigation depending on the nature of intervention that each case would require.

MLAA arranges lawyers for its clients from panel of lawyers based on their years of experience, court records, knowledge of law and human rights, reputation and sensitivity to the needs of the poor specially women. In addition to providing a lawyer, MLAA engages advocate's clerk who is responsible for liaising between the clients and also assists the lawyer with basic tasks. MLAA also provides transportation facilities (for both the client and witnesses) and assist for collection of necessary documents and medical support if necessary.

During the reporting period a total of 687 cases were conducted including 168 newly filed and 519 pending cases from previous years. Among them 253 cases were disposed, 15 cases were rejected and the total number of pending cases are now 519.

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Among the filed cases, criminal cases were 167 and family case was 01. On the other hand, with respect to the disposed cases, criminal cases were 192, family cases were 51, land cases were 8 and appeal cases were 17.

Detailed information is given in Annex-B

Result achieved

 In 05 Family cases clients received BDT. 10,00,000/- as maintenance and dower money and preferred separation.  In 34 criminal cases 38 persons are freed from charges.  In 11 family cases marriage continued through compromised.  In 05 cases applicants were not appeared at court, so cases were discharge.  BDT. 5,00,000/- is recovered as dower money in 44 cases.  A total of 20 years imprisonment is given to 41 persons and BDT. 30,000/- taka is fined for 61 persons.  In two cases 47 decimal land is recovered which approximately amount of BDT. 2,00,000/-.

Activating Village Courts (VC):

MLAA has taken special initiative for activating Village Court a forum of Union Parishad to resolve particular disputes. The project provides technical assistance to the Union Parishad and appointed one union worker to assist in Village Court and Arbitration Council activities in each UP.

During the reporting period the Village Courts received a total of 752 applications and including pending 43 total applications stood 795. Among them 694 were disposed of, 83 cases were rejected and 18 cases remain pending. Out of total disposed cases 12 were civil in nature, the remaining 682 were criminal. The parties got a total compensation amounting BDT.47, 25,050/- 10.59 decimal of land recovered in this period. The amount includes compensations, recovery of loans & money transactions and recovery of land. 390 cases were settled amicably through mutual understanding and compromise.

Detailed information is given as Annex- C

Arbitration Council (AC):

The Arbitration Council was established by the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961, and thus is only available to the Muslims. It has jurisdiction over only three issues: polygamy, maintenance, and divorce.

During the reporting period the project received 374 disputes; including previous pending 27 disputes total disputes stood 401. The Arbitration Council of UP resolved 290 disputes, 94 disputes was rejected and now 17 disputes remain as pending. Among the total disposed 290 disputes, 208 were related to maintenance, 82 were of divorce. and. A total of BDT. 29,000.00 /- was recovered as maintenance.

Detailed information is given in Annex- D

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Result of VC & AC

UPs help the rural poor for providing quick remedy through VC & AC. In the reporting period UPs recovered an equivalent of BDT. 47,54,050/- as maintenance, compensation and value of land. UP representatives are UP representatives are more aware about their roles and responsibilities and are involved in resolving disputes having adequate knowledge and skill on VC & AC law. In most of Union Parishad minimum 1 day per week is indicated for conducting Village Courts.

Disputes resolution through Mediation

MLAA modernized the traditional “Salish” into an unbiased, participatory, and rights sensitive approach to conflict resolution known as the Madaripur Mediation Model (MMM). The MMM enables disputant parties to resolve family conflicts, community disputes, land disputes and minor criminal offences at a nominal cost and with minimal delay. Disputants usually prefer this method for conflict resolution and the success of the MMM is allowing the parties to address and work through the root cause of their problems.

During the reporting period, the project received 3063 applications. Including 404 pending from previous period applications stood 3467. In total, 2576 disputes were resolved through Mediation, 51 disputes were referred to district court for filing case and due to absence of the applicants and lack of documentary or oral evidence 668applications were rejected. Currently 172 disputes are pending to be resolved.

Among the 2576 resolved disputes, 692 were related to family matter, 62 were assault, 1077 were dowry related, 84 were community disputes, 156 were financial disputes, 404 were land disputes and other disputes under miscellaneous category were 101.

Among the resolved disputes, by the help of members of CBOs participated as mediators of Shalish, the project recovered BDT. 9,10,96,925/-/- as cash and price of land, which also include dower money, maintenance and compensation.

Detailed information is given in Annex- E

Result achieved

 MLAA resolved 2576 disputes in different categories with the active participation of CBO members. Among the resolved disputes, in 1376 disputes wives and husbands are continuing their family life amicably.  Female CBO members are taking active roles in mediation and in 44.56% mediation session women CBO members have been taken part as president of the session.  The CBO members of mediation project of MLAA mediated some disputes on guardianship and help applicants to get their children through mediation. The number of rescued children was 07.

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Benefit of resolved disputes through Mediation

Result of Disputes Disputes % Amount in Taka resolved Marriage Continued 1376 53.41 0 Recovered of Maintenance & Denmohor / 386 14.99 27278810/- Divorce Executed including. Child Rescued (6 Children) 07 0.28 100750/- Compensation Recovered 139 5.40 4876900/- Land Recovered (2462.27 Dec) 139 5.40 57132465/- Money Recover in replace of Land (99.3 11 0.42 1708000/- dec.) Mutual Settlement 518 20.10 0 Total 2576 100 91096925/- Capacity Building

As a part of capacity building MLAA conducts training for its own staffs. Similarly, it organizes trainings and workshops for the advanced community people, CBOs, UP Chairmen and members, UP Secretaries, paralegals, panel lawyers, local lawyers, and local police. The above individuals are brought under various types of trainings so that the community people may enjoy a positive result regarding their rights issues get justice. Other organizations frequently request MLAA to provide them with training.

During the reporting period MLAA organized 1171 courtyard meetings with the participation of 15757 household members. Among them 13389 (84.97%) were female and 2368 (15.03%) were male. MLAA formed Community Based Organizations (CBO) at Unions from the rural civil society members of the community which include UP representatives, teachers, women health workers, religious leaders, social activists, NGO workers, women group leaders and other social leaders from the wards and unions. There are two fold of CBO committee: ward level CBO and central level CBO. As it is a continuous process MLAA staffs regularly update the committees and replace one by another when any member is found inactive or got demise.

In the reporting period, Ward CBOs conducted 932 meetings, where 10571 members participated. Among them 4966 (46.97%) female and 5605 (53.03%) were male. Of all the ward CBO meetings, 520 (55.79%) meetings were presided by the women CBO members. On the other hand, MLAA organized 94 central CBO meetings, where 1442 members participated. Of them 610 (42.30%) were female and 832 (57.70%) were male. Out of 129 central CBO meetings, 44 (34.1%) meetings presided by the women CBO members.

MLAA has taken special programs and care to develop the capacity of its staff with special focus to gender aspects in its programs. MLAA follows its gender policy to bring gender issue in the mainstream of all the activities

MLAA organize project coordination meeting with all level of staff in every month. The main aim of these meetings is to review previous activities and finalize the forthcoming plan of action with relevant staff. In the reporting period MLAA organized 12 central meetings and 36 coordination meetings at district & upazilla level.

Detailed information is given in Annex-F Page-010

Result achieved CBO members are organized and directly participating in Mediation, Village Court and Arbitration Council session. Female CBO members are well trained and around 45% meetings are presided over by the female members. A number of women are nominated by the parties as panel judge of Village Court. People of various sects actively take part in different awareness events, such as, courtyard meeting, campaigning, workshops etc. which is changing the attitude of rural inhabitants.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The monitoring cell of MLAA has taken significant steps to monitor and assess project progress in relation to the indicators set in the project log frame. It conducts sample survey to assess project progress and identifies issues related to project context and factors. MLAA applies various techniques for survey and analysis. However, it will develop further capacity particularly in sampling technique, statistical analysis and to draw lessons.

Objectives The objective of this indicator based report is to assess the effectiveness of programme interventions.

Sampling Sample Size: Sample has been drawn from working areas 3 districts 7Upazilla and 15 Unions of the working Union units has been covered and from each Union 5 resolved disputes chose 75 disputes at randomly in last 6 months mediated by those union.

The M&E Cell has been conducted indicator assessment studies and found the following results: a) Indicator: By 2016, Madaripur Mediation Model (MMM) has been adopted and implemented as an effective alternative dispute resolution system

 After interviewed 75 beneficiaries in 15 unions, under 07 of three working districts it found that, in the decision making process 92% mediation decision made through both party‟s opinion, 6.66 % decision taken by the board which was made by the parties opinion and 1.33% decision was imposed.

 It has also seen in the assessment that Madaripur Mediation Model (MMM) has been adopted and implemented as because 62.66% CBO women has been taken part as mediator, 32%CBO men has been taken part as mediator and 5.33% locally mediated. b) Indicator: By 2016, 50% women are playing leading role in the mediation process within the working areas.

 In the assessment M&E Cell interviewed 75 beneficiaries of mediation and find that in those mediation session 34.66% CBO women has been taken part as president of those session. c) Indicator: By 2016, 80% mediation decisions of the agreement made by the parties abide by and are getting the remedy. Page-011

 It has also seen in the assessment that 87% decisions made parties abides by and are getting full remedy, 3% getting partial remedy and 10% decision made parties are not abides by.  90% beneficiaries have been satisfied over the decision taken in the mediation and 10% are not satisfied as because-  Not gotten full money of the mediation decision.  Divorce not wanted but she got separation.  Now husband absconded.  Land not gotten.  Dispute arises again

5. Lesson learned

 New VC Law was in acted in 2013 and UP representatives are yet to be aware on some procedure, so it created time for resolve disputes.  Proper and frequent monitoring from Government side to oversee the activities of Village Court.  Political unrest was one of the crucial factors in the first time of this period.  Lack of manpower and financial incentives to participate in local justice.  Due to the lengthy process of the existing laws, Complex legal framework and overall absence of congenial court environment for the poor and women in particular delayed in disposing cases.  A long time is needed to see the reflection of local level advocacy at the national level.  UP representatives are busy with multiple activities which hamper some time to perform their duties in local justice system.

6. Impact

It is difficult to assess the multidimensional impact of the activities of a right-based organization on the target group such as in their economic, social, political and cultural rights. The economic impacts on the beneficiaries were discussed earlier. However, discussing the socio- cultural impacts of the project is far more difficult as there are multiple indicators and the experts in the field have not formally used the applications of these indicators.

MLAA has also been advocating for reformation and new enactment identifying limitations and short-fall of laws focused the issues at national level in collaboration with other likeminded organizations. As a result of the relentless MLAA awareness campaign and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with other organizations, there was an expansion of pecuniary jurisdiction of the VC, and the shalish gaining institutional form through the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act 2003, which now mandates an option of settling civil disputes through mediation. In 2006 MLAA organized a national seminar on `Village Courts (VC): its viability & limitation‟ at Press Club, Dhaka to draw the attention of policy makers towards necessary reforms for overcoming obstacles. As a part of that initiative Bangladesh government revised the Village Courts Ordinance 1976 and enacted Village Court Act in 2006 and the financial jurisdiction of the courts was increased from Tk.5000 to Tk.25000. Afterward financial jurisdiction was increased Tk.75000 according to the amended act in 2013.

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Tackling issues of poverty reduction, gender equality and women's empowerment: Through MLAA's work, both women's awareness of their own rights and the attitude towards women during participation in the social activities have changed for the better. Women are better placed to raise their voices in defending their rights and dignity, through increased participation in the local justice systems, strong and consistent participation in CBOs, and in AC/VC related activities.

Domestic violence is the most pervasive violation of rights of women and children. Due to MLAA's intervention, incidents of domestic violence have decreased considerably, as has the number of litigations in court (within MLAA's working areas), in comparison to previous years. Poor people, particular women, feel more safe and secure as they are able to access justice at formal courts. Through the courts, they receive their economic and property entitlements without costs, and gain redress in dowry, divorce and polygamy related cases.

Measuring Mediation Successes: Mediation avoids the negative impacts of litigation in cases of minor disputes and utilizes participatory roles to solve problems, which ensures social harmony and enhanced confidence of the parties. Resources and time saved by rural people through mediation are utilized to better their economic conditions.

Use of mediation services has reduced the levels of fatwabaji deterring local religious fundamentals from administering their own brand of justice. In fact, MLAA has succeeded in penetrating the corrupt and imbalanced rural power dynamics through facilitating spontaneous participation of the rural people.

As a result of various trainings and workshops, CBO members and UP representatives are confident in carrying out their duties and obligations efficiently, rural people have increased awareness of local justice systems, and the Upazila and District-level administration are cooperative towards UP judicial service. The rural locals, particularly the poor sections, prefer to appear before UP for getting legal redress on minor disputes with minimum efforts, time and expenses.

Resolving disputes locally on the basis of mutual agreement and understanding helps to maintain social harmony and peaceful coexistence between the parties putting an end to short or long run rivalry, enmity and misunderstanding.

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Annex- (July 2016 to June 2017)

Annex-B

Output 2: Increased capacity building of duty bearers to activate local level justice a) Courtyard meeting with household members

Name of No. of Meeting Total Participant Total District AC&VC Mediation Female Male Total Madaripur 360 181 541 6101 1042 7143 Shariatpur 320 203 523 5839 1228 7067 Gopalganj 58 49 107 1449 98 1547 Total 738 433 1171 13389 2368 15757 b) Monthly ward CBO meeting

Name of Meeting presided by Total Participant NOWM District Female Male Female Male Total Madaripur 377 186 191 1982 2175 4157 Shariatpur 485 291 194 2615 2923 5538 Gopalgonj 70 43 27 369 507 876 Total 932 520 412 4966 5605 10571 c) Quarterly coordination meeting with union / central CBO members

Presided by Total Participant

Name of District

No.of

meeting

Female Male Female Male Total Madaripur 34 13 21 217 287 504 Shariatpur 53 27 26 352 473 825 Gopalgonj 7 4 3 41 72 113 Total 94 44 50 610 832 1442

Nature of Participants of Central CBO Members Total

acher

Chairman member Female Male member Secretary Te Businessman ServiceHolder Farmer Housewife NGOsWorkers Socialworkers Student Religious Leaders Total 19 46 30 8 35 102 42 60 121 10 28 1 2 504 32 71 47 16 47 194 82 77 162 30 55 0 12 825 5 9 11 2 6 27 8 18 16 0 10 0 1 113 56 126 88 26 88 323 132 155 299 40 93 1 15 1442

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Output 3: Access to formal and informal justice system increased Annex-C

Free Legal Assistance a) Provide Court Support

Total Court Verdict Previous Case Default Compro Present Districts Case Total Pending Filed /Reject mised Pending Handled Favor Against Madaripur 313 64 377 55 1 3 47 106 271 Shariatpur 145 77 222 57 1 10 48 116 106 Gopalganj 61 27 88 38 3 2 2 45 43 Total 519 168 687 150 5 15 97 267 420 b) Nature-wise disposed cases

Cases filed Cases disposed Type Female Male Total % Female Male Total % Criminal 20 146 166 98.82 77 114 191 73.29 Family 1 0 1 0.59 51 0 51 19.09 Land 0 1 1 0.59 3 5 8 1.90 Appeals 0 0 0 0 14 3 17 5.72 Total 21 146 168 100 145 122 267 100

c) Direct benefit of disposed cases (In brief)

No of Result of cases Description of result Cases Maintenance / 24 Women Clients got decree of Tk. 12,54,000/-as maintenance and dower Dower money from her husband Clients Free 38 In 38 cases 49 persons become free from charges Verdicts of 8 As per court decision 8 persons were given 14 years of imprisonment and Courts BDT. 15,000/- was fined to 02 person Child rescued 1 In one case 01 child was rescued Court decision in 55 55 Criminal cases went in favor of us. favor of MLAA Land cases 5 The court gave verdict of 127 decimal land which costs approximately BDT. 11,64,000/- and among them 45 decimal of land was recovered that costs BDT. 4,00,000/- Marriage 48 In 48 cases marriage continued through compromised Continued Mutual 88 In 88 Cases both parties mutually settled their disputes locally by Compromised submitting their agreement

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Dispute resolution through VC

Annex-D a) Analysis of VC cases

District Previous Case Total Case Recom Total Present Disposed Reject Pending Received Disposed Case Pending Locally F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M Madaripur 6 15 107 179 113 194 99 149 12 40 0 0 111 189 2 5 22 33

Shariatpur 3 9 179 224 182 233 168 214 8 14 0 0 176 228 6 5 32 44

Gopalgonj 3 7 21 42 24 49 19 45 5 4 0 0 24 49 0 0 0 0

Total 12 31 307 445 319 476 286 408 25 58 0 0 311 466 8 10 54 77 Grand 43 752 795 694 83 0 777 18 131

b) Nature of disposed cases of VC

Districts Criminal Civil Total Female Male Female Male Female Male Madaripur 99 147 0 2 99 149 Shariatpur 167 211 1 3 168 214 Gopalgonj 19 39 0 6 19 45 Total 285 397 1 11 286 408 Grand 682 12 694

c) Direct benefit through disposed cases of VC

No. of SN Criminal BDT. Remarks Dispute Amicable Settlement 390 0 57.19 Compensation 144 921850.00 21.11 Money Recover 148 3247200.00 21.70 Sub-Total 682 4169050.00 100 Civil Amicable Settlement 2 0 16.67 Money Recover 4 131000.00 33.33 Land Recover 10.5 Dec. 6 425000.00 50 Compensation 0 0 0 Sub-Total 12 556000.00 100 Total 694 4725050.00

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Annex-E

Dispute Resolution through AC a) Analysis of application & Dispute Resolution through AC

Previous Application Total Dispute Recom Total Present Disposed District Pending Received Resolved Reject Case Pending Locally F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M

Madaripur 5 4 83 2 88 6 80 2 8 4 0 0 88 6 0 0 7 1

Shariatpur 13 2 233 40 246 42 175 14 58 24 0 0 233 38 13 4 24 3

Gopalgonj 3 0 15 1 18 1 18 1 0 0 0 0 18 1 0 0 0 0 Total 21 6 331 43 352 49 273 17 66 28 0 0 339 45 13 4 31 4 Grand 27 374 401 290 94 0 384 17 35 b) Nature-wise resolved disputes of AC

Nature of disputes resolution of AC District Maintenance Divorce Polygamy Total Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Madaripur 63 0 17 2 0 0 80 2 Shariatpur 127 0 48 14 0 0 175 14 Gopalgonj 18 0 0 1 0 0 18 1 Total 208 0 65 17 0 0 273 17 G. Total 208 82 0 290 c) Direct benefit through disputes resolved of AC

Result of disputes No. of disputes % Amount in Tk Marriage Continued 229 78.97 Maintenance Provided 0 0 Mutual Settlement 6 2.06 Divorce Executed 55 18.97 Total 290 100

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Annex-F

Dispute resolution through Mediation a) Analysis of applications & settlement through mediation

Previous Application Total Mediation Recomm. Total Present Disposed District Reject Pending Received Done Case Pending Locally

F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M Madaripur 112 98 798 593 910 691 663 454 194 204 22 4 879 662 31 29 85 92 Shariatpur 87 45 803 616 890 661 723 514 96 100 25 0 844 614 46 47 145 80 Gopalgonj 38 24 189 64 227 88 158 64 51 23 0 0 209 87 18 1 5 6 Total 237 167 1790 1273 2027 1440 1544 1032 341 327 47 4 1932 1363 95 77 235 178 Grand 404 3063 3467 2576 668 51 3295 172 413 b) Nature-wise resolved disputes of Mediation

Family Second Social Financial Land Total Assault Dowry Misc. District Matter Marriage Disputes Matter Disputes F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M Madaripur 92 180 4 6 0 0 484 0 7 26 22 51 38 167 16 24 663 454 Shariatpur 126 225 17 31 0 0 475 0 26 24 22 39 36 156 21 39 723 514 Gopalgonj 25 44 3 1 0 0 118 0 0 1 8 14 3 4 1 0 158 64 Total 243 449 24 38 0 0 1077 0 33 51 52 104 77 327 38 63 1544 1032 Grand 692 62 0 1077 84 156 404 101 2576

c) Direct benefit of resolved disputes through Mediation

Disputes Result of Disputes % Amount in Taka resolved Marriage Continued 1376 53.41 0 Recovered of Maintenance & Denmohor 386 14.99 27278810.00 / Divorce Executed including. Child Rescued (7 Children) 7 0.28 100750.00 Compensation Recovered 139 5.40 4876900.00 Land Recovered (2462.27 Decimal) 139 5.40 57132465.00 Money Recover in replace of Land (99.3 11 0.42 1708000.00 Decimal) Mutual Settlement 518 20.10 0 Total 2576 100 9,10,96,925.00

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7. Information of other Projects of MLAA:

Project -01:

Project Title: Activating Village Courts Bangladesh Project (Phase-II) Donor: UNDP, EU & GOB Implementing Agency: Local Government Division, MoLGRD&C Partner NGO: Madaripur Legal Aid Association Reporting period: January to June 2017

Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA) has been working in the field of access to justice and Human Rights with a vision of establishing a just society. Since 2001 MLAA has taken initiatives to activate the UP judicial system and strengthen the local justice system. Under the project MLAA have been working in Dhaka & Mymensing Division covering 7 districts, 28 Upazillas and 235 UPs.

Goal :

To contribute to improving access to justice for disadvantaged and marginalized groups in Bangladesh.

Specific objectives:

 To make local authorities more responsive to local justice needs and offer appropriate legal services in the form of well- functioning village courts.  To empower local people, especially women, the poor and vulnerable groups to seek remedies for injustices and to resolve their disputes at the local level in an expeditious, transparent and affordable manner.

Project Area:

Dhaka Division:

: 6 Upazillas ( Fardipur Sadar, Alphadanga, Bhanga, Sadarpur, Boalmari & Char Bhadrason) : 35 Unions  : 5 Upazillas (Gazipur Sadar, Sreepur, Kaliganj, Kaliakoir & Kapasia) : 26 Unions  Gopalganj : 3 Upazillas ( Gopalganj Sadar, Moksudpur & Kasiani ) : 32 Unions  Madaripur : 4 Upazillas (Faridpur Sadar, Rajoir, Kalkini & Shibchar) : 43 Unions

Mymensingh Division:

 Jamalpur District : 4 Upazillas ( Sharishabari, Boxiganj, Melandah & Islampur) : 38 Unions  Mymensing District : 3 Upazillas (Muktagacha, Ishwarganj & Haluaghat) : 33 Unions  Netrokona District : 3 Upazillas ( Madan, Durgapur & Kendua) : 28 Unions

Total 235 UPs in 28 Upazillas in 7 Districts in Dhaka & Mymensing Division

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Project Achievement: a) Activate Village Courts:

The Village Court Act 2006 that has entrusted the Union Parishad with the power to constitute Village Court (VC) to resolve petty civil and criminal disputes becomes a platform for us to act on. In the reporting period the percentage of received case and resolution through VC has increased than the previous time.

Achievement:

Including the pending 41 cases, in the reporting period 189 cases have been received at UP level in 7 Districts of Dhaka & Mymensingh division the total number of received case is 230. From those, 76 cases were resolved through village Courts, among that 23 were resolved through pretrial and 22 were resolve through Rule 31 & 24 was default or rejected due to various reason. Now 85 cases are pending for VC hearing. The Village Court of different UPs recovered Tk. 719,500 as compensation during the reporting period through disposed of cases.

Previous Application Total Case default Total Present Pending Received resolve or Pending rejected 41 189 230 121 24 145 85

b) Community mobilization & Awareness Raising:

The project has been implementing field level activities for increasing social awareness and mobilization on village courts. The project also maintain liaison with local administration such as UNO & DDLG. As an attempt of conducting advocacy programs the activities belongs to this part tend us to communicate and build good relationship to the local elites, influential people, Govt. officials and other stakeholders.

Achievement: For rising awareness among the mass people the project organized 11257 awareness events with total 124981 village peoples. Among the participated peoples 40772 persons were male and 84209 were female.

S/N Title of the Activity Event Male Female Total 1. Monthly UP level Coordination Meeting 415 3995 2127 6122 2. Appointment of Village Courts Assistants -- 90 134 224 3. Courtyard Meeting 6434 30170 77879 108049 4. Counseling Session 4575 2480 2172 4652 5. Community Sharing Meeting 67 2739 595 3334 Outreach Activities conduction with other 63 738 829 1567 6. NGOs 7. Monthly District Coordination Meeting 23 132 15 147 8. Monthly Upazilla Coordination Meeting 95 428 458 886 9. Total 11257 40772 84209 124981

***

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Project-02.

Project title: Access to Justice through Community Legal Service

Donor : Maxwell Stamp PLC –DFID

Reporting period: July 2016–March 2017

Objectives:

 To establish CLS in areas that have yet to be exposed to interventions aimed at improving the formal or informal justice system.  To build the capacity of the target communities to demand and deliver justice.

Working Area: District-04 (Barisal, Pirojpur, shariatpur & Madaripur), Upazilla-10 and Union- 70.

Performance:

Activity Target-Achievement Statement: July 2016 to March 2017

SN /New Activities of the Project Target Perso Achie Person Code ns veme s nts T A

Knowledge & awareness of target people 1) increased on their relevant laws and rights 1.1.1 Formation of Ward CBOs 1.1.2 Formation of Union/Paurashava CBOs 24,62 1.1.3 Quarterly CBO Meeting with ward CBO Members 2,052 2;290 24,487 4 Half yearly Meeting with Union (Central) CBO 1.1.4 152 1,824 151 1,600 Members 1.7.7 Union Campaign & Fair on Village Court 30 9,000 30 12,275 Courtyard Meeting on Legal Awareness, 1.8.1 2,736 4,140 2,862 43,687 Mediation & VC Street Drama on Legal Awareness, Mediation & 24,50 1.8.2 49 63 41,581 VC 0 Workshop on Mediation & necessary law with 1.8.3 66 2,640 66 2,619 CBO members Workshop on Gender and Local Justice Issues .1.8.4 72 1,440 72 1,455 for women group at union level Observation of National & International Day 1.8.5 25 - 21 1,945 (National Day, HR & WR) 1.8.6 Workshop on Corporal Punishment 70 2,700 72 2,879 Access to legal services increased through 2) mediation, Village Courts and legal aid among 0 0 vulnerable groups/ community peoples 2.5.1 Court Case Support through formal courts 57 57 19 19 2.6.1 Disputes Resolution through Mediation 3150 6300 4056 8112 2.6.2 Case Resolved through Village Courts by UP 783 1566 1119 2238 2.5.2 Emergency & Documentary Support 378 158 2.5.2.1 Medical Support to Victims / Clients of Case 0 0 2.5.2.2 Collection of Case evidence of Court Case 0 0 2.5.2.3 Travel Support to Victims / Clients of Case 10 106 Documentation Support to UP& Upazila unit for 2.6.1.1 operating Medation (12 formats & 6 Types 76 76 Roisters) Page-021

Documentation Support to UP for operating 2.6.2.1 70 70 Village Courts (13 formats & 6 Types Roisters) 3.15.4 Project Planning Workshop 0 0 Capacity building and increased accountability of 3) 0 0 duty bearers to provide legal services Basic Training on Mediation, necessary laws for 3.13.1 0 0 CBO Members Refresher Training on Mediation, necessary laws 3.13.2 0 0 for CBO Members Basic Training on Village Court, Mediation & 3.14.1 necessary laws for UP Representatives & UP/ 20 560 23 593 Staffs Refresher Training on Village Court, Mediation & 3.14.2 necessary laws for UP Representatives & UP 0 0 Staffs Basic Training on Mediation, VC & necessary 3.15.1 0 0 laws for Project Staffs Refresher Training on Mediation, VC & 3.15.2 0 0 necessary laws for Project Staffs TOT on different training & workshop for 3.15.3 supervisor & Upazilla Manager at MLAA TARC- 0 0 4days 3.14.5 Half Yearly meeting with UzLAC 18 270 17 186 3.14.8 Half Yearly meeting with UpLAC 132 1980 127 1292 Advocacy workshop to activate Govt Legal Aid 3.14.3 0 0 Service Sensitization Workshops on Community Legal 3.14.4 Services level with deferments stakeholders at 10 300 10 300 Upazilla Level 3.14.6 Workshop with DC, UNO, Up Chairman 2 80 2 59 3.14.7 Coordination meeting with DLAC 0 0 2.6.5 Counseling/Legal Advice 15 15 127 127 2.6.6 Case Referral 12 12 6 6 Increased knowledge on Human rights for 4) 0 0 religious leaders to reduce radicalism Workshop on Human Rights and reagents laws 4.4.1 35 1400 35 1402 for Madrasa Students Workshop on Human Rights and reagents laws 4.4.2 8 240 9 271 for Imam, religious leader & madrasa teachers 4.4.3 Workshop on Human Rights and reagents laws 0 0 for Marriage Register 0 0

5)Crosscuttin Monitoring & Others Activity 0 0 g Quarterly Monitoring Report 3 3

Monthly Upazilla staff Meeting 86 82

Monthly Distrcit Coordination Meeting 18 18

Narrative statement of achievements:-

1. Courtyard meeting: To aware the community, particularly women about local justice system is the main purpose of this meeting. MLAA organised 2,862 courtyard meetings in this period with the participation of 43,687 household members. 2. Workshop for CBO members on Village Court (VC), Arbitration Council (AC), Mediation & Law: During this quarter MLAA conducted 66 Union level workshops, where 2,619 members were participated. 3. Quarterly Ward CBO Meeting: During this Quarter, Ward CBO conducted 2,290 meetings, where 24,482 members were participated.

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4. Half-Yearly meeting with Union (central) CBO members: In the reporting period, MLAA organized 151 central CBO meetings, where 1,600 members participated.

5. Street Drama: During the reporting period 63 street dramas were organised at union level to focus the activities of AC, VC & Mediation. Approximately 41,581 persons from village community observed the drama shows.

6. Union Campaign & Fair: During the reporting period 30 Campaign and Fair were organised at union level to focus the activities of AC, VC & Mediation. Approximately 12,275 persons from village community participated in this program.

7. Observation of national & International Days: MLAA observed 21 International Days in districts through CLS project on Victory Day(16 December) International Human Rights Day (10 December) and Women Day (8March) Various Programs like Rally, Discussion Meeting, and Competition for Students etc. were arranged to observe the day. Total 1,945 participants were participated in these programs.

8. Workshop on Human Rights and Law for Madrasa Students: During this quarter, MLAA facilitated 35 Human rights and Law workshops for Madrasa students in Barisal, Pirojpur, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts of the working area of the project. A total number of 1,402 students participated in the said workshops. 9. Workshop on HR and Law for Imam, Religious Leaders and Madra