No justice for Rohingyas?

ARTICLE 31 of the Constitution of Bangladesh categorically states that “To enjoy the protection of the law, and to be treated in accordance with law, and only in accordance with law …”, is not only the inalienable right of every citizen but also of “…of every other person for the time being within Bangladesh”. The Article further goes on to state that “no action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property of any person shall be taken except in accordance with the law”. In other words, the supreme law of the land has accorded what the government terms as the right to access due process and equal protection of the law to the Undocumented Myanmar Nationals (UMN) currently staying in Bangladesh.

This important Article of the Constitution was premised on principles enshrined in a number of international instruments. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enjoins, “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law” (Article 6), that “all are entitled to equal protection against discrimination” (Article 7), and that “Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals…” (Article 9). (Courtesy of The Daily Star)