A/HRC/15/55* the establishment of a special commission with a mandate to address concerns particular to Dalits. The National Human Rights Commission also has a central role to play in combating discrimination based on caste. The independent expert on water and sanitation analyses the particular issues related to Dalits under her mandate (see paragraphs 75–76 below). 27. The experts also visited an urban slum in Mirpur, Dhaka, where the Urdu-speaking communities, sometimes referred to as Biharis, reside alongside Bengali communities. These communities live in very difficult conditions, with inadequate housing and poor access to sewage and drainage – problems that are exacerbated during the flood season. Residents identified a lack of free primary health care and poor sanitation and hygiene as the main problems that they face. People living in these camps are also reportedly threatened with forced eviction. While some of the conditions may not differ from those in other slums, the historical discrimination that the Urdu speakers have suffered, in large part owing to their statelessness, further inhibits their enjoyment of human rights. 28. The independent experts welcome the 2008 High Court decision that recognizes Urdu speakers as Bangladeshi nationals, and commends the Government for the measures taken to register them, issue them with national identity cards and allow them to vote in the 2008 elections. It is believed that between 70 and 80 per cent of the community have acquired a national identity card and participated in elections.10 However, the independent experts remain concerned about the full implementation of the High Court decision, which requires continuous efforts by the State to ensure the rights of Biharis as citizens of Bangladesh without discrimination. The experts also urge the Government to design and implement a comprehensive programme to integrate Biharis into Bangladeshi society, including by ensuring that poverty reduction programmes specifically address their situation. 29. For decades, tension has been high between indigenous communities living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Bengali settlers. Disputes over land and natural resources, and persecution by local settlers have contributed to the impoverishment of indigenous groups and the militarization of the Hill Tracts area. A peace accord was signed in 1997, but land issues remain unsolved and tension continues to erupt. Special procedures mandate holders have raised concerns about reports of arbitrary arrests and detention, ill-treatment and land grabbing.11 Years of unrest have also resulted in problems regarding access to basic services, including drinking water and sanitation. 30. The Government acknowledges that some of those living in extreme poverty in Bangladesh are from the indigenous communities, and associates their impoverishment with discrimination and extortion by land grabbers. It also recognizes that the lack of specific policies for these groups, including the lack of culturally suitable educational tools and the lack of institutional channels to ensure better representation of indigenous interests are factors contributing further to their vulnerability to poverty. While welcoming the Government’s recognition of the vulnerability of indigenous peoples, the experts remain concerned about the continuing reports of violence against these communities, and urge the Government to ensure better protection of their rights and investigate reported human rights violations. 10 11 8 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Note on the nationality status of the Urdu-speaking community in Bangladesh, available at www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/4b2b90c32.pdf. A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/2. GE.10-15451