Kapaeeng Watch News Release on Situation of IPs in Bangladesh: 18 August 2008

Bengali settlers blockade Sultana Kamal at Baghaihat in Rangamati

On 2 August 2008 the Bengali settlers blockaded former advisor to the caretaker government of Bangladesh and eminent human rights activist Ms. Sultana Kamal while she was returning from Sajek after distribution of relief to the victims of Sajek arson attack at Baghaihat bazaar under Sajek union of Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district.

Santal students demand higher quota

On 1 August 2008 Santal Students' Union (SASU) in Rajshahi called on the caretaker government to increase quota of indigenous students at all educational institutions, including the university. SASU, Rajshahi city unit organised the discussion at the Caritas auditorium to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

3 indigenous people innocent not robbers- Claim relatives

On 3 August 2008 at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) auditorium, the relatives of the victims alleged that three indigenous people of Lambaghona village under Teknaf Police Station have been awarded punishment as the loggers handed them over to the police station terming them as robbers. They said distorted reports have been published in different newspapers against them on July 31 and August 1, adding that the newspapers wrote three armed robbers were arrested in Teknaf following a gun battle with the police.

International Indigenous People Day observed in Bangladesh

On 9 August 2008 Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF) organised elaborate programmes including discussion, seminar, rally, fair, film show, photography exhibition and traditional dance programmes to mark international day of world's indigenous peoples in Dhaka. The programme was inaugurated by advisor to the caretaker government of Bangladesh on Primary & Mass Education and Culture Ms. Rasheda K Chowdhury at 10.00 a.m. while advisor to the caretaker government of Bangladesh on Law and Land A F Hassan Arif attended the discussion meeting at afternoon session at 4.00 p.m. as chief guest.

Indigenous peoples' day was also observed in different districts, such as, Rajshahi, Tangail, Mymensingh, Khagrachari, Rangamati etc. Indigenous peoples demanded formation of a separate land commission, implementation of CHT Peace Accord, ensuring their land rights and protecting their culture.

Protect indigenous people to save forests- Speakers call at BAPA seminar

On 8 August 18, 2008 a seminar titled 'Environmental degradation in forest: Socio-economic crisis of indigenous people' was organised by the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at WVA auditorium in Dhaka. Speakers at a seminar called for protecting indigenous people to save forests of the country. They said the indigenous people are the part of the forests and they know how to protect them..

Call to ensure rights of ethnic minorities

On 13 August 2008 a two-day festival marking International Day of the World's Indigenous People began in Dinajpur on Wednesday. Ethnic minority communities living on the plain land and hill districts took part in the festival with a call for all to respect the rights of the ethnic minority groups. The speakers demanded introduction of schooling in their mother tongue as the dropout rate of ethnic minority students was high.

Protect rights of ethnic people- Speakers urge media

On 14 August 2008 a roundtable titled 'Bridging the gap between media and ethnic communities' was organised by Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) at Madhupur in Tangail. Speakers at the roundtable stressed the need for proactive role of the media to protect the rights of ethnic communities through projecting their sufferings. They said the media could be used as a powerful tool of disseminating information about the ethnic groups and drawing attention of the policymakers to resolve their problems.