The Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, along with Naripokkho, the Manusher Jonno Foundation and BRAC Human Rights and Legal Aid Services, have introduced a public bill challenging the legality and constitutionality of Bangladeshi law, which only identifies women as rape victims. [9] BLAST is one of the leading legal aid organizations in Bangladesh and the only one to provide access to legal aid in all areas, from the front line of the formal court system to the Supreme Court. It prioritises support for women, men and children living in poverty or facing disadvantage or discrimination. It also provides legal assistance, advice and representation in various areas, including civil, criminal, family, labour and land law, as well as constitutional rights and remedies, and provides access to judicial remedies as well as alternative dispute resolution where appropriate. In addition to individual legal aid, BLAST conducts strategic litigation or litigation in the public interest as part of its advocacy for legal and policy reforms to ensure effective legal protection. Established in 1993, the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to making the legal system accessible to the poor and marginalized, providing legal services in 25 districts of Bangladesh. He conducts research, advocacy and litigation in the public interest for legal, policy and institutional reforms to ensure effective legal protection. Some of her litigation and advocacy work focuses on issues of child marriage, violence against women, labour rights, gender identity, and discrimination based on religion, caste, occupation, and disability. BLAST currently operates in 19 districts across the country and works through its staff attorneys (paralegals and researchers) at headquarters and in each district unit in collaboration with its recruited panel of approximately 2300 attorneys across the country who provide legal remedies to clients on a pro bono basis with minimal fees.

A panel of lawyers practicing at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh also conducts litigation and advocates for legal and policy reform. In April 2022, the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka sought legal aid from Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust and Ain O Salish Kendra for legal aid for a 19-year-old Canadian woman prevented by her family from leaving Bangladesh. [10] Sara Hossain and Zi Khan Panna, on behalf of both organizations, filed an application with the High Court ordering the woman to remain with her parents while the parents were ordered to return their communication devices during the probationary period. [10] Empowering girls, mobilizing families and communities, providing services, establishing and implementing laws and policies BLAST currently operates in 21 districts across the country and works through its employed lawyers (as well as paralegals and researchers) at headquarters and in each district unit in collaboration with its recruited panel of approximately 2600 lawyers across the country who provide remedies to clients. on a pro bono basis. with minimal fees. A panel of lawyers practicing at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh also conducts litigation and advocates for legal and policy reform. BLAST is governed by a Board of Directors composed of respected lawyers, lawyers and human rights defenders with experience in the national and international protection of human rights and leading the organisation decisively. It is also supported by an advisory group of young professionals, including researchers, lawyers and human rights defenders. It maintains close relations with bar associations at all levels, including through its administrative committees, composed of the leaders of the bar association of each district. Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ লিগ্যাল এইড এ্যান্ড সার্ভিসেস ট্রাস্ট) is one of the largest legal aid organisations in Bangladesh. [1] [2] The Trust provides legal aid, a mediation centre, legal assistance and files laws in the public interest.

[3] [4] The organization`s headquarters are located in Dhaka with 19 branches. [3] Sara Hossain is the Executive Director of the Trust. [5] BLAST has proven expertise in providing legal aid to poor and disadvantaged clients and has handled approximately 80,000 cases to date. Over the years, out of 1,75,000 requests for legal assistance, BLAST has responded to approximately 40,000 requests by resolving them through mediation. He has also filed some 132 public interest cases with the Supreme Court of Bangladesh as part of his advocacy for legal and policy reforms to remove institutional barriers to justice. It regularly conducts awareness-raising programmes on the legal rights of community members in their areas of work, including family law, criminal law and land law. It also participates in regular coordination meetings with local administrators, in particular key actors in the judiciary, including members of the judiciary and the legal profession, as well as civil society organizations. BLAST`s mission is to make the legal system accessible to the poor and marginalized. It envisions a society based on the rule of law in which everyone, including the poor, marginalized and marginalized, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, Adivasis and Dalits, has access to justice and their human rights are respected and protected.