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Arafat Hosen Khan

Bangladeshi Barrister-at-Law (UK) & Supreme Court Advocate specializing in human rights, constitutional law, and migration policy. Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE Law School with 16+ years' experience in legal reform, international policy (UN/ILO/DFID), and public interest litigation.

Name
Arafat Hosen Khan
Occupation
Lawyer, Academic, Researcher, Legal Scholars.
Webpage
https://www.lse.ac.uk/law/people/visiting-fellows/arafat-khan https://apexcourtchambers.com/
Expertise

Arafat Hosen Khan, Barrister-at-Law & Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Visiting Senior Fellow, LSE Law School, The London School of Economics and Political Science

As a legal scholar, practitioner, and policy expert with 16+ years of dedicated focus on Bangladesh, my expertise encompasses the nation’s constitutional framework, human rights landscape, labor governance, judicial system, and socio-political dynamics. My work bridges academia, litigation, policy reform, and international development, positioning me as a leading authority on Bangladesh’s legal and governance structures. Key areas of expertise include:

1. Constitutional Law & Democratic Governance

  • Authoritative Scholarship: Authored "The Constitution of Bangladesh: People, Politics, and Judicial Intervention" (Routledge, 2022), critically analyzing judicial interventions in Bangladesh’s constitutional evolution.
  • Policy Advocacy: Active commentator on constitutional reforms (e.g., semi-parliamentary proposals, judicial appointments) via platforms like ConstitutionNet, VerfBlog, and IACL-AIDC Blog (2023–2025).
  • Litigation Experience: Led public interest cases challenging violations of fundamental rights (e.g., extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression, disability discrimination) before the Bangladesh Supreme Court.

2. Human Rights & Access to Justice

  • Marginalized Communities: Extensive work on indigenous rights (e.g., CHT Peace Accord), Rohingya refugees (COVID-19 impact analysis), and gender justice (e.g., fatwa violence, inheritance rights).
  • Systemic Reforms: Drafted policy papers to abolish corporal punishment against children; advocated for disability rights, slum dwellers’ protections, and police accountability.
  • UN Engagement: Served as National Consultant for Bangladesh’s 4th Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UNDP, 2023), drafting the national human rights report for UN submission.

3. Labor Law & Social Protection

  • RMG Sector Expertise: Co-authored GFEMS/ILO studies on labor exploitation in Bangladesh’s apparel sector; advised Walmart, ACCA, and multinationals on compliance.
  • Policy Design: Developed legal frameworks for Employment Injury Schemes (ILO/GIZ, 2017–2021) and contributed to the Bangladesh Decent Work Country Programme.
  • Worker Advocacy: Litigated high-profile labor rights cases (e.g., Rana Plaza collapse, union leader protections).

4. Judicial & Institutional Reforms

  • Capacity Building: Trained judges, police, and factory inspectors on human rights, labor laws, and grievance mechanisms (e.g., for ILO, GIZ, Danish Embassy).
  • Justice Sector Evaluation: Served as Senior Evaluator for USAID/ILO projects assessing judicial transparency, court efficiency, and anti-corruption measures (2021–2023).
  • Legislative Drafting: Reviewed/amended key laws (e.g., Bangladesh Labour Act, Digital Security Act, Disability Discrimination Act) for government/CSOs.

5. Policy Development & International Collaboration

  • Key Partnerships: Collaborated with ILO, UNDP, USAID, DFID, GIZ, EU, and UNHCR on governance, labor rights, and refugee protection initiatives.
  • Think Tank Leadership: Board of Trustees Member, Institute for Inclusive Policy (IIP), shaping national policy discourse on democracy and inclusion.
  • Grassroots Engagement: Conducted advocacy workshops nationwide (Dhaka, Barisal, Khulna) on disability rights, police reforms, and legal awareness.

6. Socio-Political Analysis

  • Media Commentary: Published 35+ op-eds in The Daily Star, Dhaka Tribune, and Financial Express (2009–2025) on topics including:
    • Judicial independence & accountability (Supreme Judicial Appointment Ordinance, 2025).
    • Freedom of expression (Digital Security Act reforms).
    • Labor unrest, political violence, and corruption.
  • Cultural Nuance: Native Bengali speaker with deep understanding of local power structures, ethnic tensions, and political economy.
Experience

Arafat Hosen Khan is a Bangladeshi Barrister-at-Law (Lincoln’s Inn, UK) and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh with 16+ years of multidisciplinary expertise in constitutional law, human rights, political analysis, and justice-sector reform. He has produced authoritative expert reports for UK and US courts and tribunals on Bangladesh’s socio-legal-political landscape, covering the following domains:

  1. Political Dynamics:
    • In-depth analysis of political parties (e.g., BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami), opposition leaders, and authoritarian resilience, evidenced by publications (The Dhaka Tribune, 2025; ConstitutionNet, 2025) and policy consultations (UNDP, EU, ILO).
  2. Criminal Justice System:
    • Evaluated systemic flaws through judicial reviews (e.g., custodial torture, abuse of CrPC Section 54), consultancy for UNDP/USAID on rule-of-law reforms, and PIL litigation (e.g., BLAST v. Ministry of Education).
  3. Laws Curtailing Free Speech & State Repression:
    • Authored critical studies on the Digital Security Act (2023), ICT Act (2013), and constitutional reforms impacting dissent (VerfBlog, 2025; Dhaka Tribune, 2013).
  4. Judicial Independence:
    • Analyzed transparency deficits in judicial appointments (Dhaka Tribune, Feb 2025) and advocated for reforms via Supreme Court litigation and international evaluations (USAID BMEL, 2021).
  5. Extrajudicial Killings & Enforced Disappearances:
    • Led PIL cases challenging state inaction (e.g., custodial deaths, RAB operations) and published on accountability gaps (The Daily Star, 2010–2012).
  6. Police Harassment & False Cases:
    • Documented patterns of abuse through litigation (e.g., unlawful arrests under CrPC), policy reports (CHRI, 2014), and op-eds (The Financial Express, 2009–2012).
  7. Persecution of Vulnerable Groups:
    • Human Rights Defenders: Defended activists (e.g., Moshrefa Mishu) and journalists (e.g., Prothom Alo editors) in harassment cases.
    • LGBTQ+ & Religious Minorities: Addressed persecution via equality frameworks (Constitution of Bangladesh book, 2022) and PILs (e.g., fatwa violence against women).
    • Women/Children: Drafted laws/protocols on gender-based violence (ActionAid, 2021) and child rights (BLAST, 2021; PILs against corporal punishment).
  8. Citizenship & Immigration Laws:
    • Advised on statelessness risks (UN UPR National Report, 2023) and dual nationality complexities as a Supreme Court practitioner.
  9. Family Law:
    • Expertise in child custody, guardianship, and women’s inheritance rights through litigation (e.g., Adv Salauddin Dolan v. Bangladesh) and scholarly work (McGill, 2019).

Methodology & Credentials

  • Robust Research Foundation: Combines academic rigor (LSE, King’s College, McGill) with frontline litigation (30+ PILs) and policy drafting (e.g., EPZ Labour Ordinance, 2019).
  • International Recognition: Reports commissioned by UN agencies (ILO, UNDP), governments (UK DFID, US USAID), and NGOs (BLAST, ActionAid).
  • Publications: 10+ peer-reviewed articles, books, and policy papers validating authoritative insights into Bangladesh’s legal-political ecosystem.
Publications

Publications:

  1. Book:
  2. Articles:

Khan, Arafat, “ The Constitution of Bangladesh: People, Politics and Judicial Intervention”(London, UK:, Routledge Publishing, 2022) 

https://www.routledge.com/The-Constitution-of-Bangladesh-People-Politics-and-Judicial-Intervention/Khan/p/book/9781032424880 

Khan, Arafat, “The Right to Equality of the Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh: An Analysis of the Challenges to the Peace Accord” (Saarbrücken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012)

https://www.amazon.com/Right-Equality-Indigenous-Peoples-Bangladesh/dp/3659121819

  1. Journal Articles

  2. Khan, Arafat, “Protecting Human Rights:  Situation of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh during Covid-19” (2020), 4 PKI Global Justice Journal 30, Queen’s University, ON, Canada. (https://globaljustice.queenslaw.ca/news/protecting-human-rights-situation-of-rohingya-refugees-in-bangladesh-during-covid-19)
  3. Khan, Arafat, “Restrictions on Freedom of Expression: Getting the Right Balanced” (June, 2015), Journal of International Relations, (Vol. VI, No. 6, pp: 181-190), Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
  4. Khan, Arafat, “Capability Approach and its Universility” (December, 2013), Journal of the Chevening Society of Bangladesh, (Vol. 02, Issue. 01, pp. 163 - 182), British High Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (http://csb.org.bd/journal.html)  

  1. Khan, Arafat, “Ethics and Action of Law Enforcement Agency in Bangladesh: A Study on RAB” (September, 2013), Journal of the Society & Changes (Vol. VII, Issue. 03, pp. 51 - 69), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

    (http://www.societyandchange.com/images/2013/allpagesjulysept.pdf)

  1. Working Papers/ Research Papers

  2. Khan, Arafat, “legal Analysis: key findings and protection gaps- Physical and Humiliating Punishment of Children in Bangladesh” (December, 2021), Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Dhaka, Bangladesh. (https://www.blast.org.bd/content/publications/Legal_Analysis.pdf)
  3. Khan, Arafat, “Analysis Information requests on Physical and Humiliating Punishment (PHP) related matters- Findings, Achievements, Barriers, Challenges” (September, 2021), Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Dhaka, Bangladesh. (https://www.blast.org.bd/content/publications/RTI_BLAST_PHP_analisys.pdf)
  4. Khan, Arafat and Chowdhury, Afsan, “A Study to Scope Out Existing Legislative and Policy Frameworks For Ending Violence Against Marginalized Women and Girls in the Workplace” (May, 2021), ActionAid Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  5. Khan, Arafat; Mittelberg, Tara and Sahai, Ridhi, “Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS) Law and Policy Analysis Study Apparel and Ready-Made Garment (RMG) 

 Sector – Bangladesh” (March, 2021), National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, Illinois, United States. (https://respect.international/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Hidden-Unprotected-and-Vulnerable-Supporting-Informal-RMG-Workers-in-Bangladesh-document.pdf)

  1. Scholarly Blog Posts

  1. Arafat Hosen Khan, ‘Bangladesh’s Constitutional Reforms: Caught Between Democratic Hopes and Authoritarian Resilience’, ConstitutionNet, International IDEA, 16 May 2025, https://constitutionnet.org/news/voices/bangladeshs-constitutional-reforms-caught-between-democratic-hopes-and-authoritarian

  2. Hosen Khan, Arafat: Reforming the Legislature in Bangladesh: A Critical Analysis of the Semi-Parliamentary Proposal in the 2025 Constitutional Reform Commission Report, VerfBlog, 2025/4/18, https://verfassungsblog.de/reforming-the-legislature-in-bangladesh/, DOI: 10.59704/97d7e8934e9b1c94.

  3. Arafat Hosen Khan, ‘Bangladesh’s Constitutional Crossroads: Reforms, Exclusion, and the Quest for Democratic Legitimacy’ IACL-AIDC Blog (27 March 2025) Bangladesh’s Constitutional Crossroads: Reforms, Exclusion, and the Quest for Democratic Legitimacy — IACL-IADC Blog

  4. Khan, Arafat Hosen, “The Digital Security Act: Reform or Abolish?” The Confluence- Bangladesh’s first specialist English language blog, 9 May, 2023 https://theconfluence.blog/the-digital-security-act-reform-or-abolish/ 

  5. Khan, Arafat Hosen, “The Demise of the Caretaker System – A Legal Take” The Confluence- Bangladesh’s first specialist English language blog, 12 March, 2023 https://theconfluence.blog/demise-of-the-caretaker-system/ 

  6. Khan, Arafat Hosen, “Pluralism in Women’s Property and Inheritance Rights – Challenges for realizing human rights in Bangladesh and India” McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, Faculty of Law, McGill University, 11 October, 2019

    https://mcgill.ca/humanrights/article/universal-human-rights/pluralism-womens-property-and-inheritance-rights-challenges-realizing-human-rights-bangladesh-and 

  7. Khan, Arafat, and Mahbub, Saqeb “Consumer Law in Bangladesh: An Overview” (February, 2014), South Asian Jurist Magazine, (Issue. 04, pp. 07 - 10); http://www.joomag.com/magazine/south-asia-jurist-volume4/0816982001388859425?page=23 , Date accessed: 20th September, 2014. 
  1. “Ensuring Effective Policing: Bangladesh High Court’s Guidelines on Arrest Without Warrant”, Network for Improved Policing in South Asia (NIPSA) [Online], May 2010; http://www.blast.org.bd/news/news-reports/91-nipsa Date accessed: 30th May, 2010.
  1. Newspaper Articles

International:

  1. Khan, Arafat Hosen, “Bangladesh charts a cleaner, fairer way forward”, Bangkok Post, Bangkok, Thailand, October, 2019 https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1781349  

  1. “Asylum Seekers: Duty of the First World”, Law Inter Alia [University of Essex, UK] December 2007.
  2. “Fighting Lawlessness with Lawlessness”, Law Inter Alia [University of Essex, UK] December 2006.

National:

  1. “Bangladesh’s constitutional journey revisited: A battleground of people’s power and political control”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, 28 June, 2025; https://www.thedailystar.net/slow-reads/big-picture/news/bangladeshs-constitutional-journey-revisited-battleground-peoples-power-and-political-control-3927366 Date accessed: 30th June, 2025 

  2. “Supreme Judicial Appointment Ordinance, 2025: A critical analysis of transparency and accountability How the promise of reform risks undermining judicial independence. This is the first of a two-part series”, The Daily Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka, 22 February, 2025; https://www.dhakatribune.com/374406 Date accessed: 5th March, 2025

  3. “Supreme Judicial Appointment Ordinance, 2025: A critical analysis of transparency and accountability. How Bangladesh can learn from global judicial appointment systems to safeguard democracy. This is the conclusion of a two-part series, The Daily Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka, 23 February, 2025; https://www.dhakatribune.com/374478 Date accessed: 5th March, 2025
  1. “The Nexus of Opportunism: Analyzing the Dynamics of BNP’s Political Agenda”, The Daily Messenger Dhaka, 21 May, 2024; https://www.dailymessenger.net/opinions/news/20041 Date accessed: 25th June, 2024.

  1. “In case of emergency: Workers need to be protected -- could an Employment Injury Scheme be the answer?”, The Daily Dhaka Tribune Dhaka, 12 July, 2021; https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/07/12/op-ed-in-case-of-emergency Date accessed: 25th July, 2021.

  2. “Everyone has a right to health”, The Daily Dhaka Tribune Dhaka, 22 June, 2020; https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2020/06/22/op-ed-everyone-has-a-right-to-health Date accessed: 25th June, 2020.

  3. “Protecting consumer rights”, The Daily Star Dhaka, 22 April, 2013; http://www.thedailystar.net/law-and-our-rights/protecting-consumer-rights-20998 Date accessed: 13rd April, 2014.

  4. “Speak no evil- The draconian new ICT law threatens us all”, The Dhaka Tribune Dhaka, 12 October, 2013; http://www.dhakatribune.com/long-form/2013/oct/12/speak-no-evil Date accessed: 13rd Oct, 2013.
  1. “Upholding right to freedom of expression through Internet”, The Daily Star, Dhaka,  20 September, 2013; http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/upholding-right-to-freedom-of-expression-through-internet/ Date accessed: 20th Sept, 2013.
  1. “Upholding right to freedom of expression on Internet”, The Daily Financial Express, Dhaka, 20 September, 2013; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/index.php?ref=MjBfMDlfMjBfMTNfMV8xMzBfMTg0MDQ3 Date accessed: 21 Sept, 2013. 
  1. “From Fatwas to Freedom: Protecting Women Rights in Bangladesh”, The Daily Financial Express, Dhaka, 11 December 2012; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/index.php?ref=MjBfMTJfMTFfMTJfMV8yN18xNTI4MzE= Date accessed: 12th Dec, 2012.
  1. “Revisiting democracy and its practice in Bangladesh”, The Daily Financial Express Dhaka, 24 June 2012; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=134160&date=2012-06-24 Date accessed: 24th Jun, 2012.
  1. “Turning The Tide Of RMG Labour Unrest” The Daily Financial Express , Dhaka, 20 June 2012; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=133624&date=2012-06-20) Date accessed: 21th Jun, 2012.
  1. “Rethinking principles of natural justice” The Daily Financial Express , Dhaka, 16 June 2012; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=133126&date=2012-06-16 Date accessed: 16th Jun, 2012.
  1.  “Putting an End to Fatwa Violence” The Daily Star , Dhaka, March 2012 Forum; http://ww.thedailystar.net/forum/2012/March/putting.htm Date accessed: 12th Mar, 2012.
  1. “Ekushey and freedom of speech”, The Daily New Age , Dhaka, 21 February 2012; http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/op-ed/50943.html Date accessed: 21st Feb, 2012.
  1. “February and freedom of speech, expression and thoughts”, The Daily Financial Express , Dhaka, 15 February 2012; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=120120&date=2012-02-15) Date accessed: 15th Feb, 2012.
  1. “Duty of the State”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, January 2012, Forum; http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2012/January/duty.htm Date accessed: 10th Jan, 2012.
  1. “Breaking the Rod”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, November 2011 Forum; http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2011/November/rod.htm Date accessed: 18th Nov, 2011.
  1. “Ban on Corporal Punishment in Upholding Rule of Law”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, June 2011Forum; http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2011/june/ban.htm Date accessed: 20th Jun, 2011.
  1. “Women's Rights and the Fourth Estate”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, March 2011 Forum; http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2011/march/women_rights.htm Date accessed: 15th Mar, 2011.
  1. “Stop Extra Judicial Killings: Respect and Establish an Effective Judiciary”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, 15 May 2010; http://www.thedailystar.net/law/2010/05/03/index.htm) Date accessed: 15th May, 2010.
  1. “Making People Aware of Civil Justice System”, The Daily New Nation , Dhaka, 20 December 2009.
  1. “Empowering Citizens Through Legal Awareness”, The Daily Financial Express , Dhaka, 15 December 2009; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=86884) Date accessed: 16th Dec, 2013.
  1. “Empower Citizens Via Legal Awareness: A Desire of the Time”, The Daily Bangladesh Today, Dhaka, 14 December 2009.
  1. “Corruption, Democracy and Bangladesh”, The Daily Financial Express, Dhaka, 5 December 2009; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=85945) Date accessed: 5th Dec, 2009.
  1. “Corruption, Democracy and Bangladesh”, The Daily New Nation, Dhaka, 3 December 2009.
  1. “Is it Democratic Political Culture?”, The Daily Financial Express, Dhaka, 26 November 2009; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=85374) Date accessed: 26th Nov, 2009.
  1. “Political Killings Must Stop”, The Daily Financial Express, Dhaka, 13 November 2009; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=84171) Date accessed: 13th Nov, 2009.
  1. “Things That We Don’t Want to Talk About”, The Daily Financial Express, Dhaka, 6 November 2009; http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/11/06/83490.html) Date accessed: 7th Nov, 2009.
  1. “Political Killing”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, 2 November 2009.
  1. “Things We Don’t Want to Talk About”, The Daily Bangladesh Today, Dhaka, 31 October 2009.
  1. “Protecting Rights”, The Daily Star, Dhaka, 24 October 2009; http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=110998) Date accessed: 25th Oct, 2009.
  1. “Rights Should be Applied Equally”, The Daily New Nation, Dhaka, 20 October 2009.

 

  1. Reports/Consultancy Papers/ Contribution
  2. Training Manual:

2021                Co-Author, “Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS) Law and Policy Analysis Study Apparel and Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Sector – Bangladesh.”

2021                Co-Author, “ILO Convention 190: The Legal Dimension in Bangladesh”, ActionAid Bangladesh, Dhaka Bangladesh.

2015                Author, Mapping of the Business Process of the Department of Labour (DoL)”, ILO, Dhaka Bangladesh.

2015                Contributor, Current status of Persons with Disabilities 2015 – Legal and Grassroots Perspectives”, National Grassroots and Disabilities Organization (NGDO),National Council for Disabled Women (NCDW) and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Bangladesh.

2014                Author, Report on “Study on Women Police In Bangladesh”, The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), New Delhi, India.

2013                Author, Report on “Activities of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (2009-2013), Bangladesh Jatiyo Sangsad and Improving Democracy through Parliamentary Development (IPD) Project, UNDP, Bangladesh.

2013                Author, Report on “Activities of the 5 No. Sub-Committee of the Parliament of Bangladesh Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (2009-2013)”, Bangladesh Jatiyo Sangsad and Improving Democracy through Parliamentary Development (IPD) Project, UNDP, Bangladesh.

2011                Contributor, Report on “Evidence Based Analysis of the Trial Courts in Bangladesh”, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh.

2011                Contributor, “Solution Exchange for the Urban Poverty Reduction Community Consolidated Reply” Solution Exchange-a UN initiative for development practitioners in Bangladesh; http://www.solex-un.net/repository/bd/upr/cr1-en-08032011-1.pdf Date accessed: 01st Mar 2012.

 

2015    Developed a training manual on UNGP, labour laws, ILO Conventions, social compliance, worker rights, employer responsibility for upholding BHR and available remedies & grievance mechanisms to increase capacity and knowledge to Workers and Trade Unions/Trade Union

Languages
English, Bengali, Hindi (Spoken)
Ethnic groups expertise
All Bangladeshi ethnic groups
Political groups expertise
Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Civil Society, Media Personal and Human Rights Defenders.
Religious groups expertise
Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Ahmadiyah Muslims, Shia Muslims
Other social groups expertise
LGBT community
Fees
£ 1000
Contact email
barrister.arafat.h.khan@gmail.com
Phone
+447707986335
Address
LSE Law School
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE
Countries of expertise: