Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association Wins 2020 Tang Prize

The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has tirelessly taken on polluters and defended communities and ecosystems since it was founded in 1992 by Dr. Mohiuddin Farooque. We are thrilled to announce that BELA, now lead by ELAW Partner, Rizwana Hasan, has been awarded a 2020 Tang Prize for Rule of Law.

Three NGOs were jointly recognized, “for their efforts in furthering the rule of law and its institutions through education and advocacy. Utilizing innovative strategic litigation, reinforced by rigorous scholarship, these organizations have demonstrated exemplary perseverance in promoting greater individual, social and environmental justice, in milieus where the foundations of the rule of law are under severe challenge.”
 
The Tang Prize applauded BELA for having initiated “more than 300 public interest litigations and advocated for legislative reform for environmental justice. Issues drawn within its ambit ranged as widely as river pollution, industrial pollution, vehicular pollution, illegal construction, labor welfare, illegal mining, prevention of soil erosion, reduction of plastic use, wetland protection and prevention of pollution from shipbreaking.”
 
ELAW has collaborated with BELA for years, including on a recent victory to ban single-use plastic.
 
Congratulations Rizwana and everyone at BELA for this well-deserved award!
 
For more information, see:
 
2020 Tang Prize for Rule of Law

2012 Ramon Magasay Awardee Rizwana Hasan
 
2009 Goldman Prize Winner Rizwana Hasan

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide