Approximately 240,000 Biharis live in 66 different camps in Bangladesh, camps which are partly funded by Saudi Arabia (Mainichi Daily News 23 Nov. 1995; World Refugee Survey 1995, 101; Reuters 18 Apr. 1995; The Times 18 July 1994).

Bangladeshi Biharis, Urdu-speakers from the Indian state of Bihar, moved to Bangladesh at the time of partition in 1947 (Country Reports 1995 1996; World Refugee Survey 1995, 101). Twenty-five years later, they sided with Pakistan during Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971 (ibid.). After the war, which saw the creation of independent Bangladesh, about half a million Biharis fled to Pakistan; those who stayed have lived in camps since and most have refused to take Bangladeshi citizenship (AFP 28 Apr. 1995; Country Reports 1995 1996; World Refugee Survey 1995, 101).

Most Bangladeshi Biharis reportedly consider themselves Pakistanis and are anxious to return to Pakistan (DPA 23 Apr. 1995). Represented by the Stranded Pakistans General Repatriation Committee (SPRGRC), Biharis have participated in demonstrations in Dhaka in April and July 1995 to demand repatriation to Pakistan (ibid. 10 July 1995; ibid. 23 Apr. 1995; AFP 28 Apr. 1995; Reuters 18 Apr. 1995). Some 53 families were repatriated in 1983 (The Times 18 July 1994). In August 1992, after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's visit to Pakistan, the Pakistani government promised to repatriate 3,000 families (Reuters 18 Apr. 1995). However, only some 320 families were flown in to Punjab, and with the change of government in Pakistan, the agreement was dropped (ibid.). According to a Deutsche Press-Agentur (DPA) report, Pakistan put an end to the repatriation for fear that the Biharis would swell up the ranks of the Mohajirs' opposition movement in Karachi (DPA 23 Apr. 1995; see also IPS 29 Nov. 1995; Moneyclips 20 Aug. 1995; The Times 18 July 1994; Country Reports 1995 1996). Country Reports 1995 indicates that no further repatriation took place in 1995 (1996). A 29 November 1995 Inter Press Service (IPS) article reports that Pakistan's Interior Minister "said recently that Pakistan [would] not take back the Biharis."

According to Mainichi Daily News, the Biharis who were left behind after the 1971 war were "seen as oppressors and traitors, and treated accordingly"; they lost their property and settled into camps (23 Nov. 1995). A 20 August 1995 Moneyclips report states that Bangladeshi Biharis live-in "sub-human conditions in make-shift camps" and that many of them have to beg for a living. According to a 18 July 1994 Times report, the few Biharis "with private-sector jobs often get lower than average pay and do the most menial jobs."

However, the 18 July 1994 Times report states that Biharis who decided to take Bangladeshi citizenship have fared well. The reports adds that "the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary, the most senior civial servants, are Biahris" and that "the Home Secretary, does not, or will not, speak Bengali. He gets by with English, the language of the higher bureaucracy" (ibid.).

For further information on the above-mentioned topics, please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

References

Agence-France Presse (AFP). 28 April 1995. "Stranded Biharis in Bangladesh Threaten Self-Immolation." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 14 March 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. (Diskette version provided to DIRB by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Rresource Information Center.)