Community Advocacy Meeting Adamjee Camp, Narayangong

by admin | Jun 3, 2022 | ADVOCACY-PUBLICATIONS

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Date, Venue & Participants:
On February 26^th, 2020, Al-Falah Bangladesh & Council of Minorities (CoM) hosted a Community advocacy meeting at Ummul Qura High School Adamjee Camp Narayangong. A total number of 35 participants including 13 female and 22 male of Adamjee Camp attended the meeting.

Project overview:
The project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society” is focusing on effective citizenship within The Bihari camp communities. Following a 2008 high court decision, Biharis are recognized as citizens and most of all have obtained national ID cards, which provide the basic proof of citizenship. The aim of the project is empowerment of the community based organization CBO and organized series of advocacy, community dialogue and round table on effective citizenship and inclusion in the main stream society of Bangladesh.

Objective of the meeting:
The purpose of the meeting was to identify the exiting problems inside the camps and community and way forward to the rehabilitation with dignity. The recommendations identified in this meeting would be the basis of future community dialogue, round table and media advocacy discussion.

Discussions:
The meeting opened with a welcome speech made by Mr. Sonu Islam the president of Urdu Speaking Rights Movement (USRM). He has briefly described about USRM and the partnership with Al-Falah Bangladesh and Council of Minorities in this project and he has introduced Khalid Hussain project lead of the project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society”. Following his introductory speech, project lead Khalid Hussian has welcomed to all members of the community and community leaders. Project lead briefly described about the project, legal and socio economical condition of the camp based Bihari- Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis. After that he has opened the existing camp and community problems in the floor and engaged the participants to high light and discusses the camp and community problems and find out the possible way to resolve the issues and problems and brainstorm the strong recommendations against the camp and community problems in the meeting.

Open Discussion:
Discussions have been started with Mr. Mohammad Rakib a young resident of Adamjee camp said that, our major problems is disorganized electricity cable inside the camp.  Our electricity cables are disorganized in every lane inside the camp and it cause accident in the camp. Mohammad Arman a Secondary School Certificate SSC candidate has died with electric shock. Even it is dangerous during the rainy session everywhere electric cables are hanging in the lane. We need immediate resolve this issue otherwise camp dwellers will face more accident.

Mr. Mohammad Ainul a resident of Adamjee camp said our electricity power always in threat of disconnection form the power supply authority. We are facing several loads shedding problem in every day. Due to unemployment our youth are engaging with drug selling activities. Even some time local drug mafias are forcefully engaging the camp youth.

Mrs. Rozina a resident of Adamjee Camp described that, we are living in poverty line and it is hard to manage 3 time meals for our family. Due to poverty our kids are not getting higher education and they are engaging in odd jobs.

Mr. Mohammad kamal a social worker and resident of Adamjee camp described the educational and economical problem of the camp dwellers. He said a large number of camp students are dropping off from the high school. Camp dwellers are extreme poor and their earning source is very limited which is not enough to send their kids in school, college and university. We are Bangladeshi citizens but deprived the basic rights as citizens. We have focus on economical development. If our economy will be stable then we can fulfil our basic need and reduce the dependency.

Mr. Liaqat Hossain, Adamjee Camp Chairman described on his speech” Since Pakistan period we are living in Adamjee area because we were the worker of Adamjee Jute Mill. We have many problems inside the camp among them are housing, unemployment, education, water sanitation, electricity cut off and camp eviction. In our daily life we are living in the threat of camp eviction and cut off power supply. We are demanding our rehabilitation inside our camp and it is possible to rehabilitate Adamjee Camp dwellers inside the camp land because currently we are living in 37 accors of land which is sufficient land for the rehabilitation of 2,400 families of Adamjee Camp.

After the participants open discussion Mrs. Monowara Begum, Councillor ward # 4, 5, & 6 of Adamjee Narayangong deliver her speech and said, I am always concern about Adamjee Camp dwellers and every time i try myself to do better for the camp dwellers. Even I believe here so many problems existing but we have to try to resolve together don’t wait for government action; try resolve the problem within community level. As some of you mentioned about the drug selling inside the camp. I am promising you; I am with you if you want to fight against drug issue. Any time you are welcome to take action against drug. Others problems you have mentioned i will try to discuss with our Mayor and i believe she is very willing to help Bihari Community. I don’t believe that you are minority i must say you are majority because you are Muslim and we are Muslim we don’t have any differences just only language. You can speak in your language if you feel comfortable.

Problems Identified:
During our open discussion camp residents identified some most vibrant problem which they are facing in their daily life. Problems are as below:

Community Advocacy Meeting in Chittagong

by admin | Jun 3, 2022 | ADVOCACY-PUBLICATIONS

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Date, Venue & Participants:
On July 13^th, 2020, Al-Falah Bangladesh & Council of Minorities (CoM) hosted a Community advocacy meeting at Roufabad Model High School; Roufabad Chittagong. A total number of 18 participants including 4 female and 14 male from seven camps of Raufabad attended the meeting.

Covid-19 protection:
Since March 2020 we are facing challenges to organize meeting due to Corona virus. As it is global pandemic we have maintained all health safety protection before during and after meeting. We have sanitized the meeting hall including chairs and tables. We have checked body temperature of the participants and after that we have sanitized hand and body of the participants and provided hand sanitizer, gloves, mask and hair cap to each participants. Also we have maintained 3 feet social distance in the meeting room and after the meeting one by one participant leaves the room to protect himself herself and others.

Project overview:
The project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society” is focusing on effective citizenship within The Bihari camp communities. Following a 2008 high court decision, Biharis are recognized as citizens and most of all have obtained national ID cards, which provide the basic proof of citizenship. The aim of the project is empowerment of the community based organization CBO and organized series of advocacy, community dialogue and round table on effective citizenship and inclusion in the main stream society of Bangladesh.

Objective of the meeting:
The purpose of the meeting was to identify the exiting problems inside the camps and community and way forward to the rehabilitation with dignity. The recommendations identified in this meeting would be the basis of future community dialogue, round table and media advocacy discussion.

Discussions:
The meeting opened with an introductory speech made by Mr. Md. Sajid the president of Bangladeshis Urdu Speaking Rights Movement (BUSRM). He has briefly described about BUSRM and the partnership with Al-Falah Bangladesh and Council of Minorities in this project and he has introduced Khalid Hussain as project lead of the project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society”. Following his introductory speech, project lead, Khalid Hussain has welcomed to all members of the community and community leaders. Mr. Hussain briefly described about the project, legal and socio economical condition of the camp based Bihari- Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis. After that he has opened the existing major camp and community problems in the floor and and engaged the participants to high light and discuss the camp and community problems  and find out the possible way to resolve the issues and problems  and brainstorm the strong recommendations against the camp and community problems of the meeting.

Open Discussion:
Discussions have been started with Mr. Piyar Mohammad a resident of Raufabad colony said that “we are one of the most neglected community in Bangladesh” our major problems are education, health and housing. He also said, our earning source is very limited and we are not able to bear our kids educational expenses. We are living in a small house with a large family member. In Raufabad there is no any government hospital even any ngo health clinic.

A middle age women Ms. Nazma Begum a resident of School Camp Raufabad said” we are living in very small and crowded places”. She mentioned the health issues of the camp dwellers. They can’t afford to visit privet doctor so that they have to depend on the local pharmacy shop inside the camp which is very harmful for our health taking the medicine without doctor prescription.

A middle age man Mr. Javed Alam a resident of Majar Goli Camp Raufabad said, this is first time I using hand sanitizer provided by the meeting organizer. We are living in poverty line. Since March we don’t have job due to covid-19. Camp dwellers have so many problems and within this health, education and economy problems are most vibrant.

A young university student Kamran Ali focused on the education, health and skill development for the young generation of the camp community. He also said so many graduated persons are unemployed they don’t have jobs.

An old person Mohammad Nadim resident of Roufabad Camp described the life of the camp dwellers. He quoted, “poverty is my companion” and why i am saying this because after independent of Bangladesh our generation are neglected in Bangladesh. He also said that I want to mention 3 major problems in our camp are lack of health facilities, lack of education for our children and poverty.

After the participants open discussion Ms. Jesmin Parveen, Councilor  ward number 7 and 8 deliver her speech one video call and she assured to the camp dwellers to continue her and her ruling party’s support for the Bihari Camp dwellers in Chittagong. She was suddenly sick on the meeting day so could not present physically.

Problems Identified:
During our open discussion camp residents identified some most vibrant problem which they are facing in their daily life. Problems are as below:

Follow-up Advocacy Actions:
A bottom up approach is needed to influence the policy makers. This includes:

• Community dialogue
• Roundtable meeting with lawmakers and civil society groups
• Draft a policy brief
• Media advocacy with print and electronic media
• press conference to sensitize media personnel about the rights of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis
• Awareness sessions and expert discussions on electronic media, radio programs and TV talk shows
• Use of social media extensively
• Organize National Seminar
• A memorandum can be prepared to be sent to the national and international development partners.

Community Advocacy Meeting Khalishpur, Khulna

by admin | Jun 3, 2022 | ADVOCACY-PUBLICATIONS

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Date, Venue & Participants:
On July 18^th, 2020, Al-Falah Bangladesh & Council of Minorities (CoM) hosted a Community advocacy meeting at Balumat Community Centre, Camp number 1 ward number 12 Khalishpur Khulna. A total number of 20 participants including 4 female and 14 male from 4 Camps of Khalishpur attended the meeting.

Covid-19 protection:
Since March 2020 we are facing challenges to organize meeting due to Corona virus. As it is global pandemic we have maintained all health safety protection before during and after meeting. We have sanitized the meeting hall including chairs and tables. We have checked body temperature of the participants and after that we have sanitized hand and body of the participants and provided hand sanitizer, gloves, mask and hair cap to each participants. Also we have maintained 3 feet social distance in the meeting room and after the meeting one by one participant leaves the room to protect himself herself and others.

Project overview:
The project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society” is focusing on effective citizenship within The Bihari camp communities. Following a 2008 high court decision, Biharis are recognized as citizens and most of all have obtained national ID cards, which provide the basic proof of citizenship. The aim of the project is empowerment of the community based organization CBO and organized series of advocacy, community dialogue and round table on effective citizenship and inclusion in the main stream society of Bangladesh.

Objective of the meeting:
The purpose of the meeting was to identify the exiting problems inside the camps and community in Khulna and way forward to the rehabilitation with dignity. The recommendations identified in this meeting would be the basis of future community dialogue, round table and media advocacy discussion.

Discussions:
The meeting opened with an introductory speech made by Mr. Md. Shabuddin the president of Bangladeshis Urdu Speaking Rehabilitation Movement, Khulna. He has briefly described about BUSRM and the partnership with Al-Falah Bangladesh and Council of Minorities in this project and he has introduced Khalid Hussain as project lead of the project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society”. Following his introductory speech, project lead, Khalid Hussain has welcomed to all members of the community and community leaders. Hussain briefly described about the project, legal and socio economical condition of the camp based Bihari- Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis. After that he has opened the existing major camp and community problems in the floor and engaged the participants to high light and discusses the camp and community problems and find out the possible way to resolve the issues and problems and also brainstorm the strong recommendations against the camp and community problems.

Open Discussion:
Discussions have been started with Miss. Runa a resident of Camp # 1 Khalishpur Khulna said that “we are Bihari and living in Camp so that we are neglected to get jobs” when we mention our address then people think that we are not Bangladeshi.

A middle age women Ms. Nasima Begum a resident of Camp # 7 Khalishpur said” Jute Mills have been closed and we lost our jobs.” It is difficult for us to survive with a large family member without any earning source.

Mr. Md. Sunny, Secretary of Camp management Committee of Camp # 1 and a resident of Camp #1 said, “We have so many problems inside the camps in khalishpur however most vibrant problems are housing, water sanitation and education. We are living in a small hose along with all family members where no any privacy between parents and children. In every camp dwellers are facing drinking water problem, we have water tab and tub well boy no water inside. Our kids are dropping out from school because kids are working as child labour and helping their family.

Mohammad Imran, Secretary of Camp Management Committee, Baitul Falah Camp Khalishpur said, we have so many problems including housing, sanitation and drainage system, unemployment, and Education. Since 40 years we are living in camps there are no any changes in our living condition. Our water sanitation system is very worse, we do not have safe drinking water and drainage system is also worse during rainy session our camp flooded and become middy. Due to poverty our kids are not getting proper education and they are dropping out from school after primary level.

Mrs. Sairun a resident of Camp # 1 said” we women are more vulnerable than men; we are dependent on our male members. We have to earn our self. We know hand craft work if  we will get opportunity for hand craft work we can earn money and support our family. Some NGOs started handicraft work but now it is stopped. In our camp child marriage has been stopped and now parents are willing to send their kids in school. We need more support in education and women development activities.

Mr. Mohammad Ali, President of Camp Management Committee Camp # 3 and a resident of Camp # 3 said” we are neglected community in Bangladesh” we are passing our life inside in human camp. Our houses are almost damaged immediately need to construction of our house. Most of NGOs are working on education and sanitation but no any NGO is working on permanent solution. Permanent solution is rehabilitation and only rehabilitation is the solution to come out from all kinds of poverty and discrimination. He also added, government can build multi storied building within the camp area and that can be a easy and small instalment government can charge to the camp dwellers. We want our rehabilitation with our livelihood facilities, we don’t want to rehabilitate in village area because we all camp dwellers are urban based we don’t know farming we are semi skill community and our earning source are in urban based.

After the participants open discussion Ms. Parveen Akther Councillor ward number 11, 12 & 13 numbers ward of Khalishpur Khulna deliver her speech. She said “I don’t believe on Bihari and Bengali we all are equal citizens of Bangladesh. Now all the Biharis our citizens and you have believe on that you are the part of this country. Here i want to request to the organizers please help them and try to install a deep tub well. She also said our present government is very much willing for their permanent rehabilitation and i believe we will be able to mobilize our city Mayor and city Mayor will discuss the matter to our government. My massage to the camp dwellers, please send your child to school and try to complete your children education, only education can help you to come out from the poverty.

Problems Identified:
During our open discussion camp residents identified some most vibrant problem which they are facing in their daily life. Problems are as below:

Follow-up Advocacy Actions:

A bottom up approach is needed to influence the policy makers. This includes:

• Community dialogue
• Roundtable meeting with lawmakers and civil society groups
• Draft a policy brief
• Media advocacy with print and electronic media
• A memorandum can be prepared to be sent to the national and international development partners

Community Advocacy Meeting Mirpur, Dhaka

by admin | Jun 3, 2022 | ADVOCACY-PUBLICATIONS

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Date, Venue & Participants:
On February 23^rd, 2020, Al-Falah Bangladesh & Council of Minorities (CoM) hosted a Community advocacy meeting at BLS High School Mirpur Section-11 Dhaka. A total number of 35 participants including 5 female and 30 male from fifteen camps of Mirpur Dhaka attended the meeting.

Project overview:
The project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society” is focusing on effective citizenship within the Bihari camp communities. Following a 2008 high court decision, Biharis are recognized as citizens and most of all have obtained national ID cards, which provide the basic proof of citizenship. The aim of the project is empowerment of the community based organization CBO and organized series of advocacy, community dialogue and round table on effective citizenship and inclusion in the main stream society of Bangladesh.

Objective of the meeting:
The purpose of the meeting was to identify the exiting problems inside the camps and community and way forward to the rehabilitation with dignity. The recommendations identified in this meeting would be the basis of future community dialogue, round table and media advocacy discussion.

Discussions:
The meeting opened with an introductory speech made by Mr. Imran Khan the president of Urdu Speaking People’s Youth and Student Movement USPYSM. He has briefly described about USPYSM and the partnership with Al-Falah Bangladesh and Council of Minorities in this project and he has introduced Khalid Hussain as Project lead of the project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society”. Following his introductory speech, Project Lead, Khalid Hussain has welcomed to all members of the community and community leaders. Hussain briefly described about the project, legal and socio economical condition of the camp based Bihari- Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis. After that he has opened the existing camp and community problems in the floor and engaged the participants to high light and discusses the camp and community problems and find out the possible way to resolve the issues and problems and brainstorm the strong recommendations against the camp and community problems in the meeting.

Open Discussion:
Discussions have been started with Mr. Mohammad Raju a resident of Kurmitola Camp Section-12 said, “Living in the camp is a sin” our problem are uncountable. Our problems start form morning as using the community unhealthy toilet. Our camp population is 100 times higher than the toilets are in number. Every day we are using unhealthy toilets which cause we are infecting in several disease.

Mr. Sharif a young students and resident of Mirpur Section-11 said, we are Bangladeshi citizens according to the high court verdict but our citizenship is without benefit, we just voter not equal citizen like other citizen of Bangladesh. Our problems are many but now we are facing major problems of electricity cut off and camp eviction. We are passing our day in the threat of camp eviction and cut off electricity.

Mr. Jamil a resident of Kashmiri Mohalla Camp Mirpur-11 said, our camp condition is day by day going to worst. Population is increasing but land or space is not increasing so that all the camps are much crowded. The sewerage systems are completely damaged most of time sewerage overflow and dirty water comes out the lane and road. It is more difficult during the rainy session because of heavy rain it’s become flooded everywhere.

Miss. Nazneen Akter a young resident of Talab Camp Mirpur-11 described the housing problem is one of the most vibrant problem for camp dwellers. Our houses are tiny and we are staying 8 to 10 people in each family. I believe, only rehabilitation is only way to resolve our all issues and problems if rehabilitation will be happened.

Mr. Faisal Ahmed a resident of Rahmat Camp said, now a day’s our most burning problem is drug selling inside the camp. Our youth are selling drug and for that every night we are passing night in the treat of police harassment. Drug sellers are very strong inside the camp and even they have good connection with law enforcing authority so that they are always safe from police harassment and arresting. Always innocent camp dwellers are arresting by the police. Not only camp youth are involve to selling drug but also local drug mafia are involve and selling drug inside the camp.

After the participants open discussion Mr. Sadakat Khan Fakku, President of Urdu Speaking People’s Youth Rehabilitation Movement USPYRM delivers his speech and said, currently we are facing two major problems in Mirpur Camps that’s are camp eviction and cut off electricity. In Mirpur we have 39 Camps in section 10, 11 & 12 and all camps are in the treat of eviction. Already 3 camps have been evicted by the City Corporation and national housing authority. Every day camp dwellers are in the risk of camp eviction. We have field a writ petition in High court in 2000. In 2016 high court has declared a verdict that designated camp will be not evicted but undesignated camp can be evicted by the city corporation. Here court did not clear that which camps are designated or which are not. Since 1972 when the camps have been established we are using free electricity and Bangladesh government paid the electricity bill to desko power supply authority. However, now power supply authority cut off our power supply due to due bill of electricity. We have filed another writ petition in high court to restore our power connection. All the time power supply authority issue a letter regarding the cut off our power connection. We need urgent help from the government to resolve our two most burning issue. In this regards i am requesting to all NGOs are partners please help the camp dwellers to resolve the issues as soon as.

Problems Identified:
During our open discussion camp residents identified some most vibrant problem which they are facing in their daily life. Problems are as below:

Community Advocacy Meeting

by admin | Jun 3, 2022 | ADVOCACY-PUBLICATIONS

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Date, Venue & Participants:
On February 28^th, 2020, Al-Falah Bangladesh & Council of Minorities (CoM) hosted a Community advocacy meeting at Nursing Training Institute, Saidpur. A total number of 35 participants including 6 female and 29 male from Seventeen camps of Saidpur attended the meeting.

Project overview:
The project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society” is focusing on effective citizenship within The Bihari camp communities. Following a 2008 high court decision, Biharis are recognized as citizens and most of all have obtained national ID cards, which provide the basic proof of citizenship. The aim of the project is empowerment of the community based organization CBO and organized series of advocacy, community dialogue and round table on effective citizenship and inclusion in the main stream society of Bangladesh.

Objective of the meeting:
The purpose of the meeting was to identify the exiting problems inside the camps and community and way forward to the rehabilitation with dignity. The recommendations identified in this meeting would be the basis of future community dialogue, round table and media advocacy discussion.

Discussions:
The meeting opened with an introductory speech made by Mr. Majid Iqbal the president of Urdu Speaking Camp Development Committee. He has briefly described about USCDC and the partnership with Al-Falah Bangladesh and Council of Minorities in this project and he has introduced Miss. Seema Naz, Coordinator of the project “Empowerment and inclusion of Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis in the main stream society”. Following his introductory speech, Coordinator, Seema Naz has welcomed to all members of the community and community leaders. Miss. Naz briefly described about the project, legal and socio economical condition of the camp based Bihari- Urdu Speaking Bangladeshis. After that she has opened the existing camp and community problems in the floor and engaged the participants to high light and discusses the camp and community problems and find out the possible way to resolve the issues and problems and brainstorm the strong recommendations against the camp and community problems in the meeting.

Open Discussion:
Discussions have been started with Mr. Abdul Halim a resident of Cinema Hall Camp Saidpur said that, our major problems are housing, electricity and sewerage system. Our houses are small and we are living with a large family member. Our camp lanes are very narrow and sewerages are open, during rainy session camps become flooded. We are using free electricity but now power supply authority disconnect our electricity in every month and during summer it is very hard to stay inside the camp without electricity.

Mrs. Sanjida a resident of Hatikhana Camp discussed about the camp environment and social stigma regarding marriage of camp girls. Due to the camp resident camp young girls are facing problem getting marriage outside the camp.

Mrs. Soni a resident of Munshipara Camp discuss about the issues of camp toilets, lacking of safe drinking water. She said “our toilets are completely unhealthy and most of toilets are open without door. We are drinking unsafe water and infecting in water disease.

Mr. Md. Ali a resident of Durga Mills Camp said, we are poorest community in Bangladesh. Most of camp dwellers are unemployed they are facing discrimination in job market. Our others vibrant problems are unhealthy toilet and open drainage.

Mr. Shahjada a resident of Rasulpur Camp said, I want to mention here two major problems these are poverty and housing. Camp dwellers are extreme poor and living in poverty line. They are not educated and professional skill so that they have to work as in informal sector. The housing condition inside the camp is very worst, immediate need to construction of the houses inside camps.

After the participants open discussion Mr. Mohammad Ershad Hussain, ward # 11 Saidpur deliver his speech and said, I am also belong to the Urdu Speaking Community. Now we all are Bangladeshi citizens and we have to love our country. I know camp dwellers are facing so many problems just because living in the camps. Now all the camp dwellers are voter and

You are casting vote in every election so that political parties have intension to do better for the camp dwellers. However, my suggestions are try build unity within community and motivate the camp dwellers to resolve camp existing problem themself. As we know education is one of the most important elements to come out from the poverty and the dark future. Our current government is much willing to resolve the housing issues of the camp dwellers and i am also, always ready to help community those are living in my constituency. I don’t do any discrimination as Bengali or Bihari. We all are Bangladeshi citizens.

Problems Identified:
During our open discussion camp residents identified some most vibrant problem which they are facing in their daily life. Problems are as below:

Round Table Discussion on Citizenship Draft Bill, 2016

by admin | Jun 3, 2022 | ADVOCACY-PUBLICATIONS

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Date, Venue & Participants
On December 28^th, 2016, Council of Minorities (CoM) organized a Round Table Discussion on “Citizen Draft Bill 2016” at Reporter’s Unity in Dhaka. The Round Table Discussion was attended

• Taslima Yesmin, assistant professor, department of law university of Dhaka
• Hafizur Rahman Khan Karzon, associate professor department of law university of Dhaka
• Riswanul Hoq, professor department of law university of Dhaka
• Barrister Sadia Arman, advocate Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Hafizur Rahman Khan, advocate Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• AF Hasan Arrif, Senior advocate Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Barrister Ummayhani Bintay Arrif,  Executive Member of Council of Minorities
• Zakir Hossain, President of Council of Minorities
• Sadakat Khan, President Urdu speaking People Youth Rehabilitation Movement
• 92 persons from Mohammadpur & Mirpur Camps also participated
• Nari Pokho, Nagorik Uddyog, SAILS, OBATHELPERS NGOs and participant from UNCA also participated

Context of the Press Conference
The Citizenship Draft Bill 2016 has been approved by the cabinet on 1st February, 2016. If passed in the parliament, the bill will replace the existing Citizenship Act 1951 and the Bangladesh Citizenship Temporary Provisions Order 1972. In August 2016 CoM has hosted a workshop on the critical reflection on draft citizenship bill and generated some recommendations against the draft bill-2016. The contexts of the round table discussion was critical reflection of the draft bill, recommendations and find the way to knock the concern authority to review the draft bill before enact the bill.

Objective of the Round Table Discussion
The purpose of the round table organised by Council of Minorities was to exposition of critical reflection the draft bill and proposed the recommendations against the draft bill-2016 to inform and raise voice through community, academic and civil society before it is placed in the parliament for enactment.

Round Table Discussion
The round table discussion started with an introductory speech about the CoM, draft bill and objectives of the round table by Mr. Zakir Hossain, President of Council of Minorities. After introductory speech Barrister Ummehani presented the keynote presentation about the draft citizenship bill and said that the bill may violate basic human rights, including the rights of nationality. She recommended purging certain sections of the bill or have those corrected because those underline the best interest of the child and puts Bangladeshi children at risk of the being statelessness.

Taslima Yesmin Dhaka University law department assistant professor, said that the bill did not keep any scope to accommodate any stateless people and she also said that the Urdu Speaking community will be effected if this bill will be enact by parliament and it would not be good idea  to create statelessness in Bangladesh.

Md. Hafizur Rahman khan, advocate Supreme Court of Bangladesh, said that the bill has hints of curbing the power of Supreme Court.

Barrister Sadia Arman said, any bill should discuss with the civil society before going to be enact however we did not see any consultation with civil society so that it is necessary to start talking about the bill.

Hafizur Rahman Khan Karzon associate professor department of law University of Dhaka mentioned some good site of the bill and he also urge to government to review this bill before enact the bill.

Ridwanul Hoque professor department of law University of Dhaka said that, this bill should review because so many articles are problematic and not properly mention the definitions of the enemy, enemy state and also the bill does not contain definition of the direct indirect allegiance.

Urdu Speaking Peoples Youth Rehabilitation Movement president Sadaqat Khan said a section of the draft bill may undermine a Supreme Court judgment which recognised Urdu speaking people as Bangladesh’s citizens. Education and occupation of the Urdu speaking people would further turn uncertain if the law is passed as proposed and he  also argued that the government should consider certain matters on humanitarian ground so that every citizen of the country can live a decent life with dignity.

AF Hassan Ariff, a senior lawyer and former attorney general, said every individual of the country might be affected, directly or indirectly, by the proposed law. He said there many ambiguities in the bill as it may empower administration to nullify one’s citizenship. Possessing a national identity card or a passport or the both are not enough to protect one’s citizenship and he also said that the Citizenship has been described in seven categories in the bill, and that all of them could be affected.

Suggestion from the round table discussion
After the round table discussion the guests and community suggested to do as below Submit memorandum along with a set of recommendations to the home ministry and law ministry

• Organize more discussion in different Bar association in Bangladesh
• Organize TV talk Shown on draft Bill
• A delegation should visit home ministry and law ministry to request them to review the bill

Chief Executive of CoM Khalid Hussain given thanks to all respected guests, civil society, community and media and announced the closing of the discussion

Council of Minorities (CoM)
Council of Minorities (CoM) is a human rights organization with a special focus on establishing the rights of minorities and indigenous people. Established in 2012, CoM envisions a peaceful, poverty-free and xenophobia-free world where people, especially minorities and indigenous people, the powerless and marginalized will have equal opportunities to live with dignity and hope.

CoM is trying to ensure social, cultural, political, constitutional and economic rights of the minorities and indigenous people through partnership, networking, and advocacy and lobbying with the Government. CoM promotes and fosters mass awareness on minority rights and duties; creates social awareness against social stigma, discrimination and xenophobia through performing arts, drama and documentary films; enhances the capacity of minorities and indigenous people to organize training, seminars and workshops on their rights; and organises summits and fellowship programs for minority people.

Contact:
Khalid Hussain
Chief Executive
Email: khalid.aygusc@gmail.com
Cell: 880-1911479073
Web: www.com-bd.org