Human Rights and Protection Monitoring Programme
Short, current and properly sourced updates on selected human rights and protection issues, written by country-focused researchers and published as the BCIL International Law Update.
Conditions change fast. Reliable information has to keep up.
Political developments, treatment of minorities, gender-based violence, the activities of non-state actors and questions of nationality can change significantly within weeks. BCIL is building a continuing system to monitor and document these developments.
Rather than broad country reports, BCIL identifies specific country-based topics. Rapporteurs then prepare short, recent and properly sourced updates on those topics, creating paid research and publication opportunities for emerging researchers.
Defined topic
BCIL sets the country and issue
Monitoring
You follow recent developments
Evidence-based update
A concise, sourced report
BCIL review
Rigorous editorial check
International Law Update
Published under your name
The BCIL International Law Update
A concise, current report on one country and one topic. No doctrinal legal analysis is required. Your update should explain clearly:
- What has recently happened or changed
- The current situation on the assigned issue
- What credible and current sources report
- Whether the information is consistent or contested
- Any recent developments needed to understand the issue
[Country]: [Specific Topic]
By [Name of Rapporteur] · Information current as of [date]
1 Every material fact cited in OSCOLA (4th edn), with page, paragraph or section pinpoints wherever available.
Substantive text only. Footnotes and citations are not counted.
All citations with precise pinpoint references wherever available.
Focus on the reporting period set by BCIL. Older material only for brief context.
Countries and monitoring topics
Rapporteurs report on developments in their own country, using their contextual knowledge, language skills and access to local reporting.
Bangladesh
- Political opinion and affiliation
- Developments concerning political actors
- Religious minorities
- Gender-based violence
- Relevant non-state actors
Pakistan
- Political opinion and affiliation
- Religious minorities
- Domestic violence
- Honour-based violence
- Relevant non-state actors
India
- Religious persecution
- Political persecution
- Domestic violence
- Honour-based violence
Afghanistan
- Taliban-related risks to former government or security personnel
- Risks to persons associated with foreign companies or organisations
- Nationality and statelessness
- Relevant cross-border issues
Iran
- Kurdish ethnicity
- Political affiliation
- Religious conversion
- Former government or security personnel
Somalia
- Al-Shabaab recruitment and retaliation
- Minority clans
- Criminal gangs and other non-state actors
BCIL may revise, narrow, expand or update these topics according to current developments and research priorities.
Emerging researchers from many disciplines
You do not need to be a lawyer or to write legal analysis.
Selection focuses on
- 01Research ability
- 02Understanding of the country or topic
- 03Source-evaluation skills
- 04Accurate, concise, independent writing
First come, but quality prevails
More than one researcher may want the same topic. BCIL considers both when you submit and how good the work is.
Timing
An earlier suitable report that meets BCIL's standards may receive priority. Being first does not by itself guarantee acceptance.
Quality
Where submissions overlap, BCIL weighs accuracy, currency, sources, clarity, neutrality, originality and citation quality. A materially stronger report prevails.
Submission
Your update on the topic
Rigorous review
Revisions may be requested
Acceptance
Formal decision by BCIL
Payment
Due only after acceptance
Publication
Named International Law Update
Submission does not guarantee acceptance, payment or publication. BCIL retains final discretion on selection, acceptance and publication.
Credible, neutral and your own work
Credible sources
Every material fact needs a citation. Prioritise the UN, official documents, international and human rights organisations, research institutes, academic work and reputable media, including local-language reporting with corroboration.
Neutral reporting
Describe what credible sources report, not personal opinion or advocacy. Set out what occurred, who reported it, when, and whether others corroborate or dispute it.
You will never be asked to carry out unsafe primary investigation or approach armed, extremist or criminal groups.
Original, not AI-written
You must personally research, verify and write the report. BCIL will reject:
- AI-generated or substantially AI-written reports
- Fabricated or unverifiable citations and sources
- Plagiarism or inadequately attributed material
What BCIL pays for each accepted report
Applying is free. Every report that completes BCIL review and is formally accepted is paid at the rate for your country, before it is published.
Paid by bKash, Nagad, Rocket, bank transfer or another mobile financial service.
Bonus: 2,000 BDT for every three accepted reports.
Per accepted reportPaid by international bank transfer to your account.
Bonus: USD 30 for every three accepted reports.
Per accepted reportNo payment is made for reports that are not accepted. Applicants from other countries are not eligible during the inaugural phase.
Apply as a Country Rapporteur
Four short steps, and applying is free. Choose your country first to confirm eligibility and see the honorarium for your country. Keep your CV ready.
Questions? Email info@bcil.bd.