Report on Human Rights Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh in 2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bangladesh often affirms its commitment to promote and protect human rights through its unequivocal pledge to uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, international peace and security, respect for international law and rejection of colonialism and racism. However, different state agencies of Bangladesh have been directly engaged in interfering with the enjoyment of the human rights of indigenous peoples enshrined in the international laws for long, let alone the state authorities preventing violations of these rights by state agencies and other non-state actors. During the second cycle of review under the UPR mechanism on Bangladesh held at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 29 April 2013, for example, the government of Bangladesh provided incomplete and inaccurate information on implementation of the CHT Accord and constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples to the UPR session, which has proved non-compliance attitude of government’s commitment to the international human rights mechanisms.

BANGLADESH: Jumma women in CHT suffering from insecurity due to non-implementation of CHT Accord, says Santu Larma

“We all expected an inspiring future by signing of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord in 1997. However, all irrespective of men and women of CHT are still suffering from insecurity due to non-implementation of CHT Accord” says Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, president of PCJSS and chairman of CHT Regional Council (CHTRC).

Mr. Larma said it at the discussion meeting organised by Parbatya Chattagram Mahila Samity (PCMS) (CHT Women’s Association) and Hill Women’s Federation (HWF) on the occasion of international women day on 8 March 2012 in Rangamati with the slogan ‘connecting girls, inspiring futures’, ‘ensuring a violence-free life for indigenous women’ and ‘strengthen CHT Accord implementation movement with a aim to establish equal dignity of Jumma women’.

BANGLADESH: Justice for all kinds of violence against indigenous women demanded

Leaders of the indigenous women’s organisations demanded to ensure justice to the indigenous women by taking necessary step to stop all kind of violence against indigenous women. They said that the biggest concern in brutal violence against indigenous women was the lack of access to justice and absolute impunity that perpetrators enjoy. Violence against indigenous women both in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and plain land were successively increasing due to failing bringing perpetrators to the justice, indigenous women leaders alleged.

BANGLADESH: Decision taken to amend the Land Commission Act and concerned authorities asked to take measures accordingly, says Dr. Rizvi

Discussion on Implementation of CHT Accord

Decision was taken to amend the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 and all concerned authorities were asked to take necessary measures as per decision, says Dr. Gowhar Rizvi, advisor to the Prime Minister on international affairs. He also added that there should be no doubt over the government’s commitment to implementing the CHT Accord.

Dr. Rizvi was speaking at a discussion titled “Implementation of the CHT Accord and Election Commitment of the Government: Achievement and Opportunities” jointly organised by Kapaeeng Foundation and the Association of Land Reform and Development (ALRD) at Cirdap auditorium in Dhaka. Retired justice Golam Rabbani presided over the discussion while Dr. Gowhar Rizvi was present as chief guest.

BANGLADESH: Delay in CHT Development Work – International agencies blamed

Monday, March 5, 2012

Staff Correspondent

Many international agencies often complicate matters further trying to address the Chittagong Hill Tracts issues, Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the prime minister, said yesterday.

These complications delay development works in the hilly areas, he observed adding that the international organisations and those working on the CHT issues should focus more on how to implement the peace accord.

Gowher was speaking at a discussion titled “Implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord and the government’s election pledge: achievement and scope”. The programme was jointly organised by Kapeng Foundation and the Association of Land Reform and Development at Cirdap auditorium in the capital.

Bangladesh: Amendment Of CHT Land Commission Act Within Current Session Of Parliament Demanded

On 1 March 2012 Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) regional chapter of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF) organised human chain at the headquarters of three hill districts of CHT demanding amendment of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 as per CHT Accord within on-going session of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). Removal of Khademul Islam Chowdhury from his chairmanship of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission (CHTLDRC) for his controversial and illegal works was also demanded in this human chain.

In Rangamati, M N Larma Memorial Foundation and CHT Citizens’ Committee also participated in the human chain formed in front of the office of Rangamati Deputy Commissioner. Presided over by Prakriti Ranjan Chakma, convenor of CHT regional chapter of the BIPF, the human chain was conducted by Bodhi Satta Chakma, member-secretary of CHT regional chapter of the BIPF.

BANGLADESH: Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Land disputes hearing stalled

The Daily Star, Wednesday, February 29, 2012

CHT Land Commission

Hearing on land disputes stalled

Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

A hearing of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission in its Khagrachhari district town office yesterday was suspended due to a quorum crisis as the representatives of hill people in the commission were absent.

Only two members, commission chairman Justice (retd) Khademul Islam Chowdhury and Additional Divisional Commissioner Nurul Islam were present yesterday when 43 cases were set to be heard.

Representatives of the hill people in the committee, including CHT Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Kujendra Lal Tripura and Khagrachhari Circle Chief (Mong Raja) Saching Prue Chowdhury were absent at the first day’s hearing. The commission is set to sit again today.