Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef

<strong>Third</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Fourth</strong> <strong>Periodic</strong> <strong>Report</strong>
4.3 Preservation of identity
Bangladeshi nationality can be acquired by birth, descent, migration or naturalization. A child's nationality is
based on the nationality of his or her father. Prevailing law also does not allow children with a Bangladeshi
mother <strong>and</strong> a non-Bangladeshi father who were not born in Bangladesh from acquiring their mother's rather than
their father's nationality <strong>and</strong> from acquiring dual nationality.
Previously only father's name would suffice, but now-a-days wherever applicable (or deemed necessary) writing
both the parents names are m<strong>and</strong>atory.
Bangladesh is not a party to any international or regional refugee instruments, nor does it have any legislative
or administrative provisions for political asylum-seekers. However, there exists tradition of providing refuge to
persons fleeing from their own countries whose human rights are violated there. Support of fundamental human
rights <strong>and</strong> freedoms are guaranteed in the Constitution for instance, asserts that the State shall support
oppressed people throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism or racism.
In 1991/92 some 250,000 Rohinga people from Myanmar sought refuge in Bangladesh. They were given prima
facie refugee status <strong>and</strong> provided with protection <strong>and</strong> assistance, along with their children with the support of
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). However, among other supports, birth registration of
Rohingya refugee children is being properly done.
Biharies are the non-Bengali population, most of them opted for Pakistan <strong>and</strong> migrated from the Indian state of
Bihar to the former East Pakistan before <strong>and</strong> after independence of India <strong>and</strong> Pakistan. On the emergence of
Bangladesh following the War of Independence in 1971, the Urdu speaking Biharies again opted for Pakistan.
The children of the 'Biharies' represent the largest group of stateless children in Bangladesh.
4.4 Freedom of expression
The press in Bangladesh is very large, active <strong>and</strong> keen on development issues. Bangladesh enjoys a
reasonably free print media with hundreds of daily <strong>and</strong> weekly publications providing a forum for wide range of
views. Press here also enjoys a strong lobbying role <strong>and</strong> has the potential to play an important part in setting
the agenda for development <strong>and</strong> political issues. The Bangladesh press is very supportive to children's causes
<strong>and</strong> devotes considerable space on reporting child rights <strong>and</strong> development issues. An initiative called Shishu
Prakash, a children's news agency which empowers 640 young reporters through out the country.
Apart from government-owned Radio (Bangladesh Betar) <strong>and</strong> Bangladesh Television (BTV) there exist private
radio <strong>and</strong> satellite channels. Around 10 private TV channels <strong>and</strong> 4 radio stations (FM b<strong>and</strong>) are in operation,
including a good number of international ones. Radio is still very popular in rural areas <strong>and</strong> is probably the only
medium that reaches the grass root people in times of emergency <strong>and</strong> disasters. Bangladesh Betar has 10
stations nationwide. BTV is the state owned channel <strong>and</strong> therefore pursues the government development
policies <strong>and</strong> programmes. BTV still has the largest audience in Bangladesh estimated at more than 50 percent.
BTV telecasts programmes on rights of children in collaboration with different agencies. BTV airs 25-minute
daily programmes <strong>and</strong> 3 to 5 minutes of public service spots on priority messages for children <strong>and</strong> women. BTV
programmes have increased child participation. BTV produced public service spot on Vitamin A Plus <strong>and</strong> also
airs regularly Meena episodes.
In recent years UNICEF, ILO, USAID <strong>and</strong> organizations working with children have taken initiatives to strengthen
partnership with private satellite channels in the country, covering, among others, the issues of child labour, child
rights, birth registration, girls' education <strong>and</strong> others. A UNICEF sponsored documentary produced by ATN
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