Background: Established in January 1990, HEAB is a non-political and non-profit organization.

Objectives: Its objectives are: to promote humanist and ethical points of view on issues significant to the preservation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at national, regional and international levels; to foster the growth of democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary; to advise the government in the promulgation of law in general, laws relating to humanitarian and ethical values, and laws relating to humanist rights and human rights; to create awareness and make people conscious about the development of such laws; to take humanitarian actions and undertake programs which provide assistance (food, clothes, shelter, etc.) to the very poor; to give legal aid and assistance to the under-privileged and the poor; to involve women, particularly rural women, in development activities Bangladesh, through awareness raising and educational programs; to preserve and implement the rights of the child; and to protect the environment.

Activities: In pursuit of these goals, HEAB holds seminars, conferences and workshops; it undertakes studies and research on issues of concern; it publishes and disseminates books and other material; it runs a legal aid and advice program for the poor and underprivileged; and it has introduced a program on education and human rights for the rural people.