ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am grateful to a number of people and institutions for conducting this study. This study has been supported by the Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission-Capacity Development Project, UNDP, Bangladesh. Therefore, I am grateful to the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh and UNDP, Bangladesh for extending their kind cooperation throughout the completion of the study. I am especially grateful to Ms Mona M’bikay Boin and Barrister Lubna Yasin of BNHRC-CDP for their comments and kind support in preparation of this study. I would like to express my great appreciation to Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh for his keen observations and constructive guidance as to the ambit and focus of the present study. I also express my gratitude to the Members of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh for their support. I would also like to thank anonymous reviewers for their comments on the study.