World Refugee Day 2003: Bangladesh

UNHCR, working with the Rainbow Film Society, organised a discussion on Bengal partition and its impact on people's migration. Justice Habibur Rahman, the former Chief Justice of Bangladesh and the Chief Advisor of the Caretaker Government, presided over the event, which was attended by prominent intellectuals.

The discussion was followed by a three-day film festival on refugee and migration issues. The World Refugee Day video, "Facing Our Future", was also broadcast on national television.

At Cox Bazar, UNHCR organised a discussion on refugee protection in collaboration with the Bangladesh Human Rights Commission. Participants included lawyers, NGO activists, community leaders and UN agency representatives. There was also an exhibition of products made by refugees who had undergone vocational training, as well as a painting competition for refugee children in camps.