No reference could be found to either the Holy Jesus Christ Church in Dhaka or to its charity foundation Women's Life Group among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The General Secretary at the Bangladesh Baptist Church in Dhaka, who stated that he had enquired with other church organizations and individuals in Dhaka, was not familiar with either the Holy Jesus Christ Church or with the Women's Life Group (1 Aug. 2001). As well, the Bishop at the Church of Bangladesh in Dhaka was unfamiliar with the Holy Jesus Christ Church (7 August 2001). However, he stated that it was not necessarily possible to have knowledge of all church groups due to the many different types of Christian organizations and to Dhaka's large population (ibid).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Bangladesh Baptist Church. Dhaka, Bangladesh. 1 August 2001. Correspondence from General Secretary.

Church of Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7 August 2001. Correspondence from Bishop.

Additional Sources Consulted

Europa World Year Book, 2000

IRB databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Unsuccessful attempts to contact two oral sources

Research Directorate. Country File, 1997-

World News Connection

Internet sites, including:

Annual Report for International Religious Freedom

Bangladesh Christian Online

CBNews

Christian Broadcasting Network

Christian Persecution Worldwide

The Independent

The Nation Online

Project Open Book