World Refugee Day 2002: Bangladesh

20 June 2002

UNHCR

Kids play in a neighbourhood populated mostly by Iraqi refugees. Because refugees are not allowed to work in Syria, children often must take informal jobs to help support their families.

In collaboration with Bangladesh Bar Council, UNHCR organised a workshop on refugee law and international protection for lawyers, NGO workers, defence personnel, border security personnel, and police on 19 and 20 June. The participants made strategic recommendations for the establishment of a normative framework for refugee protection. During the closing session, the organisers requested the Law Minister to examine the advantages of having a national refugee law. The Minister assured the audience that he would look into the model national law adopted by the regional Eminent Persons Group.

In partnership with the Rainbow Film Society, UNHCR held a discussion on refugee issues, followed by a showing of the film "Escape to Paradise" at the Liberation War Museum on 20 June.

In Cox's Bazar, UNHCR organised a rally, video show, and drawing competition for refugee children. A brief discussion session also took place.

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