• 4th Session of the Forum-on Minority Issues intervention of Permanent Mission-of Bangladesh Thank you Madam Chair. Bangladesh is home to diverse religious and ethnic minority groups living in complete harmony for generations. It is a country of about 160 million people, 9 percent of which are Hindus and the other religious and ethnic ,minorities constitute about one percent. According to Population Census 01, F the maleitemole ratio is 103.8. The government of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring welfare of its people irrespective of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, language and culture. Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists share a relationship of mutual respect, and are free to practice their own religion and culture.The government has taken numerous measures aimed at promoting development of the minority groups. There are different welfare trusts for people belonging to the Hindu, the Buddhist, and the Christian religion. The government has introduced many programmes and projects for empowering minorities and women, that includes quota system in employment, in education and in various local government institutions. There are 3 (three) seats for women in each of the Hill District Councils. Two of these seats are earmarked for minority women belonging to ethnic