Biharis in Bangladesh: Transition from Statelessness to Citizenship

Acknowledgment
About the Book
Contents
About the Author
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
	The Biharis of Bangladesh
	Methodology
	Law and Society Approach
	Methods of Data Collection
	Samples and Interviews
	Ethical Issues
	Interviewing the Biharis
	Interviewing the Bengalis
	Positionality of the Interviewer and the Interviewees
	Translation of Notes from Bangla to English Text
	Challenges and Opportunities
	Significance of the Study
	Organization of the Book
	References
Chapter 2: Theoretical and Legal Framework: Statelessness, Citizenship, and Rights Associated with Citizenship
	Introduction
	Understanding Statelessness
	Defining Statelessness
	Why Statelessness Matters
	Debates Over De jure and De facto Statelessness
	Global Legal Instruments for the Protection of Stateless Persons
	Human Rights Instruments in Addressing the Statelessness3
		The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948
		International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 1966
		International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966
		The Convention on the Rights of the Children (CRC), 1989
		Other Human Rights Instruments in Addressing Statelessness
	Understanding Citizenship
		The Evolution and Development of Citizenship
		Ancient Citizenship
		The Emergence of Modern Citizenship
		Linkages and Differences between Nationality and Citizenship
	Ways of Obtaining Citizenship
	Why Does Citizenship Matter?
	Citizenship and Rights Associated with Citizenship
	Citizenship and Citizenship Rights in This Book
	The Constitution of Bangladesh and the Rights Associated with Citizenship
	Citizenship Laws in Bangladesh
	Fundamental Principles of State Policy
	Fundamental Rights in the Constitution of Bangladesh
		Rights Granted to Citizens Only
			Equality before the Law
			Non-discrimination
	Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment
		Prohibition of Foreign Title
	Right to Protection of Law
		Freedom of Movement
			Freedom of Assembly
			Freedom of Association
			Freedom of Thought
			Freedom of Profession and Occupation
			Freedom of Religion
			Right to Property
			Right to Protection of Home and Correspondence
			Rights Granted to All Person
			Right to Life and Liberty
		Safeguards to Arrest and Detention
		Prohibition of Forced Labor
	Protection with Respect to Trial and Punishment
	The Enforcement of Fundamental Rights
	Conclusions
	References
Chapter 3: The Biharis in Bangladesh: Transition from Statelessness to Citizenship
	Introduction
	Who Are the Biharis in Bangladesh?
	Historical Background of the Biharis in Bangladesh
	The Bihari’s Assimilation with the Bengalis in East Pakistan
	The Biharis in the Liberation War of Bangladesh
	Repatriation of the Biharis Stranded in Bangladesh
	Problems of the Bihari Repatriation to Pakistan
	The Legal Status of the Biharis in Bangladesh
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 4: Fieldwork and Findings
	Introduction
	The Social and Economic Conditions of the Bihari Respondents
	The Birthplace of the Biharis
	Age Structure and Gender Distribution
	Principal Languages Spoken
	Educational Background
	Employment/Occupation
	Nationality of the Biharis
	The Biharis’ Views Regarding Repatriation to Pakistan
	The Biharis’ Views Regarding Their Bangladeshi Citizenship
	The Biharis’ Migration to East Bengal
	The Role of the Biharis in Politics Before 1971
	The Role of the Biharis in the Bangladesh Liberation War
	The Biharis and Property
	The Birth of Bangladesh and the Plight of the Biharis
	Living Conditions of the Biharis in the Camp
	Education
	The Biharis’ Access to Healthcare
	Who Helps the Biharis?
	Access to Other Rights
	Social Exclusion and Problems of Integration
	The Bengalis’ Perceptions of the Biharis
	The Bengali Respondents’ Views Regarding the Biharis’ Repatriation
	Challenges of the Biharis’ Integration in Bangladesh
	Citizenship Rights and Human Rights of the Biharis
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 5: The Biharis’ Access to Citizenship Rights: Theory, Law, and Realities
	Introduction
	Right to a Decent Life
	Right to Shelter
	Right to Education
	Right to Healthcare
	Right to Employment and Income Generation
	Right to Have Other Rights
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 6: Conclusion
	Recommendations
	References
Appendices
	Appendix A: Bihari Settlements in Bangladesh
	Appendix B: Population of Annual Unregistered Births by Region
	Appendix C: Number of Countries Reporting and Number of Stateless Persons, 2004–2012
	Appendix D: Stateless Persons in Different Regions in the World, 2012
	Appendix E: Worldwide Statelessness, 2012
	Appendix F: Agreement on Bilateral Relations between the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan
	Appendix G: Text of the 1973 Agreement Between the Government of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan regarding the Repatriation of Persons
	Appendix H: Text of the Tri-patriate Agreement of Bangladesh-Pakistan-India
Index