Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef

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<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 38
Convention on the Rights of the Child Bangla won the prestigious Emmy Award in 2004. Also efforts are underway to launch a Children Television Foundation to build institutional capacity for high quality children's programming on television channels. DFP produced a 25-minute film combining various health messages <strong>and</strong> also developed another film on arsenic mitigation. BSS is also producing features on development issues relating to children <strong>and</strong> women. The PID gave cartoons a new dimension by incorporating important messages on child marriage. Both print <strong>and</strong> electronic media ventured out of the conventional studio-based formats towards communitybased, participatory <strong>and</strong> interactive programmes to promote children's participation in media. International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) is observed regularly <strong>and</strong> feature programmes produced by children in Bangladesh Television <strong>and</strong> Bangladesh Betar (radio). An innovative launch of the State of the World's Children 2003 report was marked by stimulating intergenerational dialogue on the importance of children's participation in decisions that affect their life. The launch brought adult <strong>and</strong> children together in a panel discussion in which adolescents shared their practical experiences from being involved in child-centred initiatives. Interaction with children <strong>and</strong> young people on issues like poor sanitation <strong>and</strong> HIV&.AIDS helped to get their views on important subjects. BTV gives children opportunity to articulate their views on issues that have a direct impact on their lives. Some private satellite television channels, telecast programmes produced by young children with technical support of the channels. However, all the channels regularly air children's programmes. 4.5 Freedom of thought, conscience <strong>and</strong> religion Citizens' rights to freedom of thought <strong>and</strong> conscience are guaranteed in the Constitution <strong>and</strong> also respected in practice. The fundamental right of citizens to profess <strong>and</strong> practise any religion, subject to law, public order <strong>and</strong> morality, is recognized by the Constitution. The Constitution reflects the existence of <strong>and</strong> a tolerance towards different religions in the country. The Muslims constitute the majority population in the country. The constitution ensures the right to practice rituals of all religions in peace <strong>and</strong> harmony. Pursuant to the spirit of the Constitution there is a provision that exempts students from the obligation to receive religious instruction or attend or take part in any religious ceremony or worship that relates to a religion other than their own. The Government's policy on this issue is to arrange separate religious studies classes for children from different religions in primary <strong>and</strong> secondary schools. Teachers' training includes curriculum of all four major religions. The sanctity of all religions (including places of worship, sacred objects <strong>and</strong> religious ceremonies) is preserved under a series of provisions in the Penal Code which impose criminal sanctions for insulting the religion or wounding/outraging the religious feelings of any community through certain specified acts. 4.6 Freedom of association <strong>and</strong> peaceful assembly Bangladesh has a large number of children <strong>and</strong> youth organizations. They are located throughout the country, the largest having as many as 500 branches. Many children's organizations pursue programmes aimed at promoting the all-round development of children, while others have more specialized aims <strong>and</strong> activities. The members of these organizations tend to come from families of higher socio-economic status. NGOs provide equivalent opportunities for many disadvantaged children. 39
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Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef

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