BLAST provides legal aid, advice and representation across a range of areas, including civil, criminal, family, labor and land law, as well as on constitutional rights and remedies, providing access to judicial remedies alongside alternative dispute resolution wherever appropriate. It is extensively involved with public interest litigation (PIL) and advocacy work, and conducts investigations into human rights infringements. Amongst a substantial caseload, BLAST is currently involved with PIL in relation to:

• Access To Justice
• Accountability and Institutional Reform
• Children’s Rights
• Disability Rights
• Right to Free Trial
• Right to Freedom From Torture and Arbitrary Police Action
• Women’s Rights

This year BLAST is offering placements to students and young professionals with particular interests in women’s rights (access to family courts; child marriage; rights in the family; conditions of work, including protection from sexual harassment at work), workers’ rights ( compensation for deaths and injuries at work, domestic workers’ rights), children’s rights (juvenile justice, protection against corporal punishment), housing rights, reform of laws and procedures on gender-based violence and discrimination, and disability rights.

BLAST Internship Experiences

Yoojin Lee, NYU School of Law, JD Candidate, May 2020

“Working with BLAST gave me an opportunity to actively participate in dealing with pressing legal issues regarding human rights that had motivated me to pursue a legal career in the first place. The amount of responsibility and supervision that I was given as an international legal intern allowed me to utilize and hone in on my legal research and writing skills that are rare to get in law school classroom. The passion and dedication that members of BLAST share for the promotion of human rights in Bangladesh is truly inspiring. Although Bangladesh could be full of unfamiliar things, the people I met at and through BLAST really made me feel at home throughout my 8 week internship.”

Samuel Gauthier, 2nd Year, L.L.B., Université de Montréal, Faculty of Law
“An internship with BLAST is a wonderful opportunity to reframe your world and learn about human rights law at the same time. Relax, observe, and talk to Bangladeshi people- they are amazing…I chose to make the most out of this experience, and I go back to Canada with the feeling of having accomplished in Dhaka something different and worth every second of it. I will have a smile on my face every time I think of this adventure.”Samuel Gauthier, 2nd Year, L.L.B., Université de Montréal, Faculty of Law

Kathleen Tanner, JD Candidate 2017, Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University
“This summer, I will be working at the Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic, here in Halifax. I think my time with BLAST was a great help in securing the position. So, thank you for your parts in making my time in Bangladesh so productive, fun, and full of learning!”

Orin Begum, 2nd Year, BA Jurisprudence, Worcester College, University of Oxford

“…. even a very small organisation can make a very big difference in countries like Bangladesh. I would love to come back and do some more work with BLAST.”

Katy Sheridan, 2nd Year, BA Jurisprudence, New College, University of Oxford

“Working in Dhaka was very rewarding and I learned a lot … the people at work were very welcoming and I did, overall, enjoy my internship.”

To know more about their work experience at BLAST, please follow the link

Serwaah Frimpong, 2017 JD Candidate, Osgoode Hall Law School
“I really appreciated the chance to witness the awesome work that BLAST does in promoting access to justice. I was able to find a position in my chosen field based in part on my ability to speak about the amazing advocacy work that BLAST does…”

Intern Eligibility and Position Details

Internship duties often include factual and legal research relating to our initiatives, communications, and publications. Please find below details of available internship positions:

Link to Intern Responsibility By Position

We seek applications from students with a commitment to human rights, an interest in social and legal issues and an eagerness to learn. Backgrounds in either law, socio-political sciences and/or business management are preferred, but not necessary. Applicants should have good research, writing and communications skills. They should be reliable and organized and have the enthusiasm and energy needed to complete projects in a timely manner.

We greatly value the efforts and contributions of interns. All interns will be assigned a supervisor with whom they will interact and report. At the end of their internship, interns are asked to submit all documents relating to their work at BLAST and to provide a summary of their work and feedback regarding their internship.

We encourage applications from non-resident Bangladeshis, whether students or professionals. We also apply an equality and diversity policy regarding internships and placements. We especially encourage applications from persons with disabilities and ask applicants to include requests for reasonable accommodations in their application materials as necessary.

Schedule:

BLAST reviews its applications on a quarterly basis on the 10 February, 10 May, 10 August and 10 November. Please bear this timeframe in mind when applying. Urgent applications (ie. internships commencing before to next quarterly review) should be marked accordingly on the subject.

Full-Time Internships

FT Internships operate with flexible starting dates, but the recommended duration is for a minimum of 3 months.

Part-Time Internships

PT Internships may be commenced throughout the year. The working hours are flexible, but a minimum of 20 hours availability is required per week.

Stipend / Assistance:

Unfortunately, BLAST cannot offer any stipend to successful interns. However, in cases of particular applicants, BLAST may subsidize transport including travel across Bangladesh in connection with ongoing field visits or workshops/meetings/trainings.

BLAST will also offer non-monetary assistance to all applicants in organizing local accommodation and general logistics.

Additional Information:

i. Interns are requested to carry their own laptops and/or electronic notepads. BLAST will facilitate mobile internet access.

ii. The main language of communication in the organization is Bangla although though relevant staff/supervisor with whom the intern would work speak English fluently. Relevant staff or members of our pro bono lawyer panels will be available for translation when required (on court visits to district courts or in public meetings/seminars etc.)

iii. It is pre-requisite for successful international interns to have travel health insurance for the duration of their internship.

To Apply:

Please send applications addressed to The Internship Team and clearly marked ‘Internship Application’ to: internship@cakhuy.com
or BLAST, 1/1 Pioneer Road, Kakrail, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Applications should include:

1. CV
2. Covering Letter, including the following information
3. Brief statement of interest in position sought
4. Dates of Availability
5. Part-time or full-time internship position
6. Whether assistance with accommodation in Dhaka will be required
   • Writing Sample
   • Names and Contact information of two referees (academic or professional)