State of Statelessness in Bangladesh recognise the status of stateless Rohingya people and ensure their protection, regardless of their legal status. Besides international customary laws, there are some core international human rights obligations which are relevant to the situation and treatment of the Rohingya, giving rise to obligations which apply to Bangladesh. Relevant International Legislation for the Protection of Stateless Rohingya The human rights instrument supported by Bangladesh* with provisions to protect the rights of refugee and stateless persons are: • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) • Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) • Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) • International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICMW) • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) * Bangladesh has placed several reservations and declarations against these instruments. Bangladesh has not ratified the Optional Protocols to the ICCPR, the ICESCR or the CAT. It has, however, ratified the Optional Protocols to the CEDAW, the CRPD and two of the Optional Protocols to the CRC Along with international customary laws and UN treaties, Bangladesh’s constitution, laws and policies also have provisions that may be applicable to supporting the stateless Rohingya population. Article 25 of the Constitution of Bangladesh affirms respect for the principles of international law: ‘The State shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter.’20 20 Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 1972, Article 25. 25