Concept note on
Fellowship for District Level Lawyers Group (DLLG)
Background
The history of human rights is a history of battles fought by committed people. Human rights
defenders have taken action in multiple ways to contribute to the observance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms. ‘District Level Lawyers Group’ (DLLG) is a voluntary group which has
been associated with lawyers from different districts of the country and provides legal support to
the sexual minorities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) as a social commitment.
Bandhu Social Welfare Society (BSWS) has started its journey since 1996 with a core objective
to work for the wellbeing of sexual minorities and envisions a Bangladesh where every person,
irrespective of their gender and sexuality, is able to lead a quality life with dignity, human rights
and social justice. In continuation with its effort, BSWS has collaborated with a group of lawyers
across the country to set up this platform to promote human rights, addressing legal barriers,
reduce stigma and discrimination which results in reduced physical, social and legal harassment
of sexual minorities.
Fellowship Description
BSWS has recently been awarded with a project titled “USAID’s Human Rights in Development
(USAID’s HRID)” with support from USAID Bangladesh with a goal to “Reduce disparities
through establishing dignity and promoting social justice for sexual minority population of
Bangladesh availing the state and non-state opportunities”
Under this USAID’s HRID project, the fellowship of lawyers will be offered to the District
Level Lawyers Group (DLLG) members who have been working with BSWS voluntarily for
providing legal support towards the sexual minority community in 19 districts across the country.
In this fellowship program, application will be called from the DLLG members on how they can
more effectively extend tangible support to the sexual minority person within a given time.
10 individuals will be selected based on the quality of their project plan and also the impact on
how it will be benefited in terms of access to justice.
The responsibilities of the fellows will include but not limited to
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Investigating, monitoring and fact finding of (at least one) human rights violations cases
of sexual minority population and provide a comprehensive pathway to address their
legal issues in light of current laws and practice,
Facilitate community member(s) with legally acceptable way to claim their rights and
justice in formal or alternative dispute settlement process, and/or
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Provide legal support (at least one) to a one or more members of sexual minority
population
in harassment, stigma, discrimination and human rights violations
cases/issues in the selected fellow’s jurisdiction, and
Provide a pictorial report on bilateral meeting with Govt. District Legal Aid Committee
(DLAC). This meeting agenda should be on how to include the BSWS DLLG Members
in the Committee.
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Selection Process
BSWS will invite applications through BSWS website and online advertisements from interested
Lawyers who are the members of District Level Lawyers Group, The fellowship will be offered
to 10 Lawyers for two months (Mid September –Mid November 2015).
The fellows will have to produce a final report based on their proposed activities in line with the
areas mentioned above to improve the human rights situation of Sexual Minorities (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) in the country.
Terms and Condition
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Application of the fellowship must be in line with the area(s) mentioned above.
Selected applicants for the fellowship are required to be present on a daylong
orientation and planning session.
Fellows will be responsible to carry out activities in their respective geographical area
in line with their submitted proposal.
BSWS decision regarding this fellowship will be treated as final.
Evaluation Criteria

Must be a member of BSWS District Level Lawyers Group.
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Preference will be given to the Lawyers who have more experience and knowledge on
sexual orientation and gender identity, and human rights issues.
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Experience in dealing cases on sexual minority populations will be an advantage.
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The fellowship award will be intended to cover maximum number of Districts in order
to make it more representative but this is not a strict criterion.

Applicants have to submit a motivational letter mentioning why he/she is interested to
pursue this fellowship.

Sound knowledge on national and international laws regarding sexual minority
populations and their challenges will be considered as an asset.

Lawyer’s fellowship application will only be accepted in a given format uploaded in
BSWS official website and online.
Remuneration and materials
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As the fellowship award, a consolidated amount of BDT 25000/= (Taka Twenty Five
Thousand only) will be paid through account payee cheque after the successful
completion and submission of the agreed reports to BSWS.
After completion of the fellowship program, a dissemination workshop and award
ceremony will be held.
BSWS will reimburse all travel related cost, per-diem and accommodation for attending
the orientation and dissemination workshop in line with BSWS policy.
Selected fellows will be provided with information and educative materials (i.e.
publications, IEC materials, e-book, interesting links, network etc. related to sexual
minority population issues)
Review and Monitoring
BSWS Policy and Advocacy Team will monitor and review the progress of the proposed
activities on a regular basis under guidance of BSWS Director-Program and provide time to time
feedback.
For any assistance and clarification, fellows can contact Mr. Md. Moshiur Rahman, Assistant
Manager- Advocacy (Cell: 01712-656516), Mr. Alimul Hasan, Advocacy and Training officer
(Cell: 01719-197651) or Mr. Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Legal Officer (Cell: 01784-152847) of
BSWS.
Application Deadline and Submission Process:
Lawyer’s fellowship Concept Note and Application form will be available in the BSWS website
at www.bandhu-bd.org. The Deadline of submitting the application for BSWS Lawyer’s
Fellowship for District Level Lawyers Group 2015 is 9th September 2015.
Application will be accepted through email only with the subject line “BSWS Lawyers
Fellowship 2015”. The application must include CV with photograph, a motivational letter, a
copy of membership of respective bar and filled up online application and send to
[email protected] on or before closing date & time.
**Any kind of persuasion for obtaining fellowship will be considered as non-qualification of the
applicant.