The Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA) hosted a press café on Tuesday, 19 May, at the Dhaka World Literature Centre to discuss “Migration Rights and Access to Justice,” said an organisation spokesperson. The event, part of the Access to Justice component of the Strenghtened and Informative Migration Systems (SIMS) II project, was funded by the Swiss government and implemented with technical support from Helvetas Bangladesh.
BNWLA President Advocate Seema Zahur presided over the session, which opened with a welcome address by BNWLA Director Morshed Bilal Khan. Helvetas Bangladesh SIMS Project Director Premangshu Shekhar Sarkar delivered keynote remarks, and BNWLA Project Officer Mo Hanif Mahmud provided a detailed presentation on the SIMS project. Leading national journalists, migration experts, and stakeholders attended and shared insights on challenges faced by migrant workers in Bangladesh and destination countries, said a press statement.
The session included a discussion led by migration expert Asif Munir and investigative journalism specialist Kurratul-Ain Tahmina, focusing on increasing public awareness in the migration sector, promoting evidence-based reporting, and enhancing investigative journalism practices. Speakers emphasised that migrant workers often face fraud, exploitation, and legal barriers both in Bangladesh and abroad, which impede their access to justice.
Experts said that objective, investigative reporting on these challenges could both raise public awareness and compel responsible authorities to implement effective solutions and preventive measures. Attendees agreed that professional, data-driven journalism can serve as a powerful tool to protect migrants’ rights and ensure fair access to justice, said a project spokesperson.
