Indigenous Jumma People`s Network, USA

Press Release

2010-03-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

Press Release

The CHT-American Jumma People’s Association (CAJPA)

The Indigenous Jumma People’s Network, USA (IJPNUS)

1595 Hardt St. San Bernardino, CA 92408

E mail: chakmacht@yahoo.com or cajpa.us@gmail.com

www.ijpnus.org

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We strongly condemn continuous arson the villages of indigenous Jumma peoples and minority ethnic houses in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs), Bangladesh (BD). Local sources said on March 5, 2010, the illegal Bengali Muslim settlers backed by Bangladesh (BD) army personnel burnt down at least six more houses and a UNICEF-run community school in Sajek Union of Rangamati hill district in CHTs.

Similar arson attack carried out there on February 19-20 and subsequent violence that has spread to Khagrachari town and other areas. Over 400 homes of indigenous people as well as several shops, a church, 2 Buddhist temples and a UNDP-run village center have been burned down in Gangaram Mukh, Guchchagram, Hazachhara, Jaralchhari, Dane Gulakmachhara, Bame Gulakmachhara, Simanachhara, Chhurung Nala and Gulakmacchara villages. At least two indigenous Jumma people have been shot dead by army personnel, and dozens have been injured in the incident.

We demand that the government of Bangladesh to immediate and unrestricted access to massacre sites. The government of Bangladesh has so far denied access to the sites. We also demand the intervention of UN and USA for permanent peace in the CHT. Though the “CHT Peace Accord’ 97 ” signed between the Govt. of Bangladesh and the Parbatya Chattyagram Jana Sanghati Samity (an arms resistance group of the local people in CHT) in December 2, 1997 where the demand of indigenous Jumma people’s haven’t reached and the Accord is not implemented after a decade. Since 1980 there have been carried out about 14 major instances of massacre of the Jummas by the illegal Bengali Muslim settlers and in co-operation with the law enforce agencies of Bangladesh that have to be brought into justice.

Massacres

In March 25, 1980 Kaukhali-Kalampati Massacre where Bangladesh Army and the Bengali Muslim settlers gunned down 300 Jummas. Banraibari-Beltali-Belchari Massacre, June 26, 1981: - settlers under the protection of the BD Army, murdered hundreds of Jummas. Telafang-Ashalong-Tabalchari Massacre, September 19, 1981: - The BD Army and the Bengali settlers invaded the Jumma villages of Feni valley and murdered hundreds of Jummas. Golakpatimachara -Machyachara -Tarabanchari Massacre, June-August 1983: - The BD Army and the settlers executed month’s long campaign against the Jumma villages and murdered 800 Jummas. Bhusanchara Massacre, May 31, 1984 - the massacre was carried out jointly by the 26 Bengal Regiment of the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladeshi settlers. At least 400 Jummas were killed. Many women were gang raped and later shot dead. Panchari Massacre, May 1, 1986 : - hundreds of Jummas (actual number not known) were killed and injured by the Bangladesh Army. 80,000 Jummas fled across the border to India. Matiranga Massacre, May 1986 - The Bangladesh Army gunned down at least 70 Jumma civilians in reprisal to fighting with the Shanti Bahini. Comillatilla, Taindong Massacre, May 18-19, 1986:- the Bangladesh Rifles (a paramilitary force) intercepted 200 Jummas while fleeing across the border to India and opened fired on them. Hirarchar, Sarbotali, Khagrachari, Pablakhali Massacres, August 8-10, 1988:- The Bangladesh Army along with the Bangladeshi settlers killed hundreds of Jumma civilians and gang raped Jumma women. Langadu Massacre, May 4, 1989:- the Bangladeshi settlers murdered 40 Jummas, dead bodies never recovered. Malya Massacre, February 2, 1992:- the Bangladeshi settlers murdered another 30 Jummas. Logang Massacre, April 10, 1992:- the Logang Cluster village burnt into ashes and 1200 Jummas killed by the Bangladeshi military and the Muslim settlers. Naniachar Massacre, November 17, 1993:- about 100 Jummas killed by the Bangladeshi Muslim settlers. Mahalchari Massacre, August 26, 2003:- about 14 villages burnt into ashes at least 2 killed and hundred Jumma injured.

For more detail information please visit:-
Jumma People’s Network United Kingdom > www.jpnuk.org.uk

Asian Center for Human Rights > www.achrweb.org
Jumma Net, Japan > http://thirdculture.com/jpa/default.html

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

2010-02-21T17:57:00.000-08:00

To
Navanethem (Navy) Pillay
The UN High Commisoner for Human Rights

Dated: 02/21/2010

Madam,
Massive communal attack on Inidengous Jumma villages by military forces and Bengali Muslim settlers in Baghaihat area in Rangamati
-United Nations urged to intervene-

On 19-20 February 2010 massive communal attack on Jumma villages was made by military forces and Bengali Muslim settlers at Baghaihat area of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati hill district. It is reported that at 8 innocent Jumma villagers including a woman were killed and 25 Jumma villagers wounded in this attack. It is learnt that around 200 houses of Jumma villagers including 3 Buddhist temples and a church were completely burnt into ashes.

We urged to intervention of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay with the government of Bangladesh for taking appropriate actions against the burning down of the indigenous Jumma villages and indiscriminate killing of indigenous Jumma peoples since yesterday night i.e. 19th February 2010 by the Bangladesh Army and illegal Bengali Muslim settlers. According to the information received by us this morning, the Bangladesh Army has resumed the burning down of the tribal houses at 6 am GMT (20 February 2010) and the villages are still being burnt at the time of issuing this press release.

At least three innocent Jumma including Lakkhi Bijoy Chakma and Litan Chakma were shot dead this morning (20 February 2010), dozens were injured in the firing by the Bangladesh Army while one Buddhist monk, Purnabash Bhikkhu, has been missing after the Buddhist temple was burnt down. At least four indigenous/tribal villages - Gangaram Doar, Retkaba, Purba Para and Guchachagram - under Sajek Sub-Division of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh have been burnt into ashes. In addition, at least 7 shops in Ladumani bazaar, one UNDP sponsored village centre providing assistance to the indigenous villagers, one church and 3 Buddhist temples were burnt down yesterday night (19 February 2010).

The Bangladesh Army personnel have reportedly erected barricades and have further been preventing the public leaders, civil officials and the journalists from visiting the affected areas. “This particular attack on the indigenous Jumma peoples shows that the government of Bangladesh has failed to change its policy of indiscriminate killings of indigenous Jumma people in order to occupy their lands and implant more illegal plain settlers instead of implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997.”

Since the beginning of January 2010, illegal plain Bengali Muslim settlers with the support of Bangladesh army personnel posted at Baghaihat zone under Rangamati district resumed expansion of their illegal settlement into the villages of the Chakma people. A number of houses have already been erected by the illegal plain settlers by forcibly occupying indigenius Jumma villagers’ lands.

The Jumma villagers under the banner of Sajek Bhumi Rakkha Committee (Sajek Land Rights Protection Committee) submitted a memorandum to the Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer on 10 January 2010 with an ultimatum of 16 January 2010 to return them their lands. As the deadline expired without any fruitful result on 16 January 2010, Jumma villagers started their agitation and started to boycott Baghaihat market from 18 January 2010.

The Bangladesh Army personnel and the security forces started burning down the indigenous Jumma villages since yesterday night to increase settlement of illegal plain settlers.

In view of the circumstances and considerations noted above, we urge the Government of Bangladesh to immediately take the following remedial actions:

1. To prevent any further destruction of forensic and other evidence of killing or arson by any party, including the administration and security forces;

2. To also take immediate governmental custody of all dead bodies from the army and settlers, transferring them to neutral civilian government administration members, with the eventual objective of handing these over to the respective families;

3. To undertake an urgent, independent, high level investigation into the killings and allegations of human rights violations in the Baghaihat area of Sajek;

4. To take immediate steps to provide security of life and property, as well as food, water and shelter, for all women, men and children who have been left homeless, insecure and destitute from the arson attacks;

We also urge the Government of Bangladesh to take the following immediate actions:

1. To immediately declare a roadmap for full and comprehensive implementation of the 1997 CHT Accord, in line with the government's election pledge.

2. To withdraw army camps from the three hill districts in accordance with the CHT Accord, as well as terminate Operation Uttaran;

3. To stop Military atrocities and human rights abuses on indigenous people in CHTs;

4. To immediately stop illegal land grabbing and return the illegally occupied lands to their rightful owners;

5. Appointment of indigenous people in all posts under the CHT local government system.

6. Constitutional assurance for the future safeguard of indigenous people and non-repetition.

7. Establishment of international Human Rights Camp in CHTs.

Thanking you

Buddha Ratana Bhikkhu)
Co-ordinator
The Indigenous Jumma People`s Network, USA

CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS COMMISSION

2010-01-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

6 January 2010

To Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh
Prime Minister’s Office Tejgaon, Dhaka

Subject:-Decision to develop tourism in CHT not in conformity with 1997 Peace Accord

Honourable Prime Minister,
The CHT Commission (“CHTC”) congratulates the Awami League‐led government on completing a year in office. At our last meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 17, 2009, members of the Commission were heartened when she reasserted her personal commitment to overseeing the implementation of the CT Accord in the span of her government’s current five‐year tenure of office.

We have learned, however, that the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) of the Planning Ministry decided, on 23 December 2009, to develop tourism in the CHT region, contrary to the CHT Accord since the Hill District Council (HDC) was not present and had not been consulted. The PSC met, irregularly, under the CHT Development Board in Rangamati with Committee Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed in the chair. To facilitate tourism, the PSC also resolved to build a road along the bank of the Kaptai Lake and to set up various recreational facilities as part f this project. The road would be connected with Bandarban, Khagrachari and Chittagong district.

There have also been reports in the media that the upazila administration in Bandarban is illegally grabbing land belonging to arma and Bawm communities in the name of tourism development centres (“Allegations of tourism development on Adibashi land in Bandarban” ‐‐Daily Prothom Alo, 24 December 2009; “Adibashis aggrieved at the building of ‘Shorgochura’ tourism centre in Bandarban municipal area” ‐‐Daily Purbokon, 3 January 2010). 40 acres of land have allegedly been marked off with red flags by surveyors to build the tourist spots.

Section 34 in B (kha) of the CHT Accord (CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL/ HILL DISTRICT COUNCIL) provides that ‘Local Tourism’ will ‘be added in the functions and responsibilities of the Hill District Council’. These current acts
Phone + 45 35 27 05 00 Fax + 45 35 27 05 06 Email cn@iwgia.org
are therefore in direct violation of the Peace Accord as the HDCs have not been involved in either the planning or the implemenation of these projects.

The CHTC is also not aware of any studies that have been carried out to assess the environmental impact of the proposed growth f tourism industry in the CHT. We respectfully suggest that expert consultants be invited to assess the sustainability and potential impact of large‐scale tourism on land and water resources. The potential for tourism needs to be linked to other developments in the region in a single comprehensive plan, in the formulation of which democratically elected HDCs should be fully involved.

Madam Prime Minister, the Government of Bangladesh, under your leadership, took a key role at the Copenhagen Climate Change talks. As was discussed at those talks, the world has seen untold environmental damage due to unplanned industrialization and development. Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to climate change and related environmental damage. Preserving the extremely fragile and precious environment of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is therefore a priority.

The Commission thus urges Honourable Prime Minister to take the necessary steps to rescind the decision by the Planning Ministr to develop tourism centres in Chittagong Hill Tracts without ‐‐ a) consulting the Hill District Council

b) independently assessing the environmental impact

c) taking steps to make sure any new developments are not harmful to the environment

d) preventing further illegal land grabbing from indigenous communities in the name of development. The CHT Commission strongly believes that implementation of the CHT Accord is a must for strengthening democratic good governane, ensuring a people‐oriented and environmentally‐friendly development and rule of law in CHT. The government should immediately declare a roadmap to fully implement the CHT Accord within its present tenure.

On behalf of the CHT Commission

Eric Avebury

Sultana Kamal

Ida Nicolaisen

Co-chair of the CHT Commission

cc to:

1. Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Honorable Deputy Leader of the House & Chairperson of the National Committee for Implementation of the CHT Peace Accord.

2. Dr. Dipu Moni, Honourable Minister, Foreign Ministry, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka.

3. Barrister Shafique Ahmed, Honourable Minister, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Ministry, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

4. Mr. Syed Ashraful Islam, Honourable Minister, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative Ministry, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

5. Mr. Rezaul Karim Hira, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Land, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

6. Mr. Dipankar Talukdar MP, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of CHT Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

7. Mr. Hasan Mahmud, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

8. Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, Chairman, CHT Regional Council, Rangamati.

9. Mr. Promod Mankin, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

10. Mohammad Shah Alam, MP and Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on CHT Affairs, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Dhaka.

11. Mr. Jatindra Lal Tripura, MP and Chairman, Task Force on Rehabilitation of Returnee Refugees and IDPs, Khagrachari.

12. Mr. Bir Bahadur, MP and Chairman, CHT Development Board, Rangamati.

13. Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury, Chairperson, CHT Land Commission.

Parallel Session In CSW Meeting, United Nations , New York

2009-03-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

Parallel Session In CSW Meeting, United Nations , New York
Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)
A Session on the Status of Minority Women at the United Nations,
On Friday March 6, 2009

Indigenous Women's Struggle for Justice in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
By
Indigenous Jumma People’s Network USA. www.ijpnus.org

For ages, the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh have been home to the indigenous Jumma peoples, who differ greatly in terms of history and culture from the majority Bengali people of the plains. From the 1950’s, the then East Pakistan government denied the rights of the indigenous peoples, building the massive Kaptai dam that submerged much of the fertile land in the region and evicted some 100,000 people. After Bangladeshi independence, the new government conducted a massive transmigration program to settle some 400,000 outsiders in the hill tracts, and placed the region under military occupation, leading to armed conflict with indigenous guerillas.

Countless killings, rapes and other human rights abuses, as well as 13 massacres forced more than 60,000 indigenous people to flee to India as refugees, and countless others to become internally displaced. Some 120,000 households are said to have thus lost their lands. Under international pressure, the Bangladesh government signed a peace accord with the indigenous political party PCJSS in 1997, resulting in repatriation of the refugees and demobilization of the guerillas. However, to this day the government has failed to keep most of its promises under the peace accord. With most problems unsolved, land grabbing, communal attacks, rape and other human rights abuses, and ethnic conflict have continued.

In this conflict of more than twenty years, it is the impoverished hill women who have been most victimized. To this day, women of all ages suffer from rape and violence, and the perpetrators are seldom brought to justice.

During the armed conflict, many indigenous women reported that they had stopped wearing their traditional dress, and some young girls had their heads shaved and dressed like boys to avoid being immediately recognised as indigenous women and thus becoming easy victims of sexual violence. Many indigenous women were raped and killed by the security forces and Bengali settlers, many disappeared and were forcibly converted to Islam and married to Bengalis. There were even cases in which the rape victims were held in jail in so-called "safe custody" while the perpetrators were allowed to roam free. For instance, on 28 June 1998, 13-year-old Kucharung Tripura was raped by three settlers at Alikadam thana, and was subsequently held in jail for 7 months, supposedly to protect her.

The most well known case of violence against indigenous hill women is the disappearance of Kalpana Chakma, Organising Secretary of the Hill Women's Federation, an indigenous women's activist group. She was abducted from her home in Rangamati district on the night of 11-12 June 1996 by a group of plainclothes army personnel, never to be seen again. After repeated protests and international pressure, the government set up an enquiry commission, which presented its report to the government in March 1997, but this report was never made public. Kalpana is assumed to have been killed, but there are no reports of punishment of those responsible.

The abduction of Kalpana Chakma got wide publicity, but the vast majority of rape cases go unreported, and are perpetrated with almost total impunity. Especially during the armed conflict in the CHT, Jumma women were extremely vulnerable to rape, gang rape, molestation and harassment. According to the Hill Women's Federation, over 94% of the rape cases of Jumma
women in the CHT between 1991 and 1993 were by 'security forces'. Over 40% of the victims were women under 18 years of age.

Even after the signing of the 1997 Peace Accord, hill women continue to live in fear. They are especially targetted in violent attacks on indigenous villages with the aim to grab land. On August 23rd, 2003, a dozen villages in Mahalchari sub-district of Khagarachari district were attacked by a mob of angry settlers. More than 400 houses were burned down, 4 Buddhist temples were destroyed, an elderly man and baby were killed, and 10 Chakma women were gang raped. The perpetrators were never arrested, and continued to live near the traumatized communities and grab land from them. And on April 3rd 2006, two 18 year old Marma women were gang raped in an attack of land-hungry Bengali settlers on 3 villages in Maischari area of Mahalchari, Khagrachari district, in which about 100 houses were destroyed and several dozen hill people were injured. The women filed a case against the perpetrators, but had to go into hiding because of threats.

In the hill tracts, the police often refuse to accept reports of rapes. The courts are also unsympathetic. Many victims have no choice but to accept paltry sums of compensation, rather than seek justice in the courts, which can be very costly and take many years. Traditional village courts are often not much better.

For example, on Nov. 26th 2007, Ms. V. Tripura, aged 15, was raped by a local Bengali settler while she was collecting firewood from a nearby field. Hearing her screams, her parents rushed to the scene, but it was too late to save their daughter. The villagers captured the culprit and brought him to the police station, but the police refused to arrest him or accept the case. So the villagers asked the local hospital to keep the culprit in custody. Next, the parents reported the incident to the local army zone commander, who gave them sweaters and blankets, and offered to help them. But the next morning, as they were about to return to the police station, the family learned that the Panchari Union Council had opened a "social justice" court, presided over by the zone commander and village elders. The court ordered the culprit to pay 5000 taka (about $100) in compensation to the victim, and to sign a paper promising he would never rape anyone again; the villagers were given permission to beat up the culprit if he ever entered the village. Such was the price tag the village elders placed on this girl's dignity.

Some hill women are exposed to rape and sexual exploitation as they try to improve their lives by working in society. Ms. U. Marma, who was supporting her younger siblings' education by working at a local NGO, Padakhep, was raped by her boss, the area manager, on February 5th 2008. He trapped her in the office after working hours with a peon keeping watch, and raped her in an unconscious state for the entire night. When her family learned of the matter, they appealed to the NGO to press charges against the manager. The NGO staff pretended to be sympathetic, but made Ms. Marma fill out various papers and run here and there for nothing. It suspended but did not fire the manager, and urged an out of court settlement, even though the manager is suspected of having exploited other women in a similar manner. Ms. Marma is now filing a case with the support of a local human rights organization.

The situation of hill women who seek employment in the garment factories, beauty parlors or other workplaces in the city is even more worrisome. Separated from their families, they are easy prey for various forms of sexual harassment and exploitation. Some are traficked into the sex industry. Their situation is still not well known, and urgently needs to be investigated.

Indigenous rape victims face immense obstacles in seeking justice. One difficulty is getting a positive result in a forensic medical test, which must given within 24 hours. This is almost impossible in remote areas, and even in the towns, the doctors often cover up evidence of rape, fearing reprisals. On April 7th, 2006, D. Marma, age 16, of Lepya village in Manikchari was raped by a Bengali settler when collecting water from a well. She was taken to Khagrachari hospital for a medical test, but the resident medical officer intentionally destroyed evidence of the rape. On April 10th 2006, R. Chakma, age 36, was forced down from a bus and raped by an army officer. She filed a general diary in Kotowali police station and sought a medical test at Rangamati hospital, but due to military interference, the test was delayed till nearly 72 hours after the incident, so the result was negative.

Despite the obstacles, the women of the hill tracts have begun to fight back for justice. Doorbar Network, a nationwide network of more than 550 women's organizations working to end violence against women, has extended a helping hand to their sisters in the hill tracts. After the two Marma women were raped during the April 2006 Maischari attack, women activists held protests in front of all 64 district government offices throughout the nation. Women activists have also lobbied the government to establish "one stop crisis centers" for rape victims in 16 major cities, and special tribunals to punish perpetrators of violence against women and children in all districts. There are now more than 40 women's organizations affiliated with Doorbar Network in the CHTs. They are helping women victimized by rape or violence to seek justice, assert their rights, and become more self-reliant. They have formed citizen's committees to combat violence against women, with the support of sympathetic lawyers, journalists, intellectuals, policemen and other government officials. Though a long journey remains ahead, the hill women are holding their heads high and fighting for their rights and justice. They certainly deserve our support and solidarity!

In order to protect the rights of the indigenous women of the CHTs, it is essential that the present government keep its election pledge to fully implement the 1997 CHT Peace Accord, which provides a framework for autonomy and protection of the land, identity and culture of the hill peoples.

In accordance with the peace accord, all illegally grabbed lands should be returned to their rightful owners, and all further land grabbing must be stopped. Furthermore, indigenous returnee refugees and internally displaced people must be rehabilitated on their original lands.

Military rule under “Operation Uttoron” must be replaced by civil administration and the rule of law to prevent any further human rights violations. In particular, Special Tribunals to Prevent Violence against Women and Children should be established in all three hill districts as required by law.

Furthermore the government should begin measures to voluntarily rehabilitate Bengali settlers in the plain districts, and should stop all further encroachments on hill people’s lands.

Finally, the present government should use its majority in the national assembly to pass a constitutional amendment to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples, and the framework for autonomy under the peace accord.

An Appeal for Full Implementation of the CHT Peace Accord

2009-02-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

February 13th, 2009

To,
The Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Through,
Mr. M. Humayun Kabir
The Honorable Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
3510 International Drive, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,

We would like to express our congratulations on the restoration of democracy through last December’s elections, and the start of the new Awami League administration in January 2009. We are most hopeful that the new administration will fulfill its commitments to secularism, rule of law and human rights for all. In particular, we would like to draw attention to your government’s pledge during the last election to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord signed with Parbattya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) in 1997.

As you are aware, neither the last caretaker government nor the BNP administration of 2001-2006 took any initiative to implement this historical accord, which ended twenty-some years of insurgency in the CHTs. More than 11 years after its signing, there has been virtually no progress on the most important provisions of the accord, such as transfer of powers to local government councils, resolution of land disputes by the land commission, withdrawal of all temporary military camps, and rehabilitation of refugees and internally displaced persons. To the contrary, illegal land grabbing and violent attacks against the hill peoples by Bengali settlers have accelerated with the tacit support of the military. The security forces have continued false arrest, torture and extra-judicial killings of indigenous people, forceful expropriation of land, and religious persecution including destruction/desecration of temples. Countless indigenous girls/women are being raped with almost total impunity. The indigenous people have nearly lost hope for a peaceful future.

We call upon your Excellency to pay serious attention to these serious issues, and urge your government to fulfill its pledge to fully implement the CHT Peace Accord. Furthermore, we call upon your government to seriously consider a constitutional amendment to safeguard the peace accord’s framework for local autonomy within the sovereign state for future generations.

Sincerely,

Buddha Ratana Bhikkhu, President, Indigenous Jumma People’s Network, USA

Endorsements for “An Appeal for Full Implementation of the CHT Peace Accord”

The IJPNUS held a meeting in Los Angeles

2009-02-15T14:47:00.000-08:00

Dated: February 13, 2009

Dear Reverends, distinguished guests, brothers and sisters.

I feel great honor to have this opportunity to make you aware of the prevalent situation in my country, Bangladesh. I would like to thank this community and each one of you very much for giving me this privilege. My sincere thank goes to our friend Ms. Margaret Lindgren for making the necessary arrangements. I would like to share with you some of the burning problems relevant to the facilities available for the people of Bangladesh in religious activities. Further more I would like to brief you about the present crisis. My country, Bangladesh, is mostly comprised of a majority Muslim community, with only 12.00% Non-Muslim people including the inhabitants of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, or CHTs for short.

In the next few minutes, I will share with you some of the wounds inflicted by the successive Governments of Bangladesh on the minority ethnic people in Bangladesh and the indigenous Jumma people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) over decades. I believe your wisdom, courage and support would heal some of our wounds.

Please allow me to present you with brief information about the violation of human rights of minority people in Bangladesh and problems of the CHTs.

The CHT is the traditional homeland to eleven distinct indigenous communities called Jumma collectively. It was an independent kingdom until the inception of Mughal rule in India in the 12th century. The British colonized it in 1860. With the emergence of two independent states – the Muslim majority Islamic state Pakistan and the non-Muslim majority secular state India – in 1947, the British colonialism came to an end in the Indian Sub-continent. Because of the undeveloped communication system and immature political leadership, the leaders of the CHTs were not able to raise their demand for self-determination with the British authorities who were planning the partition of the Sub-continent. And once the British left the Sub-continent, Pakistan occupied the CHTs against the will of the indigenous people. This is how the political status of the CHT disappeared forever and the second phase of colonialism under Pakistani rule started there. East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, got liberation from Pakistani rule in 1971.

In 1947, when Pak-India got independence from British rule, the indigenous population of CHTs was 98%. And CHT was merged with Pakistan leaving the indigenous Jumma peoples at the mercy of the Pakistan Govt. Since then, the process of elimination of indigenous peoples has been started. Presently the population of the indigenous peoples in CHT is 40% and others from plain districts of Bangladesh comprise 60%. If the present process is continued for another one-two decades, the indigenous peoples are bound to vanish or be eliminated from the map of CHT.

In the early 1960’s the Govt. of Pakistan constructed a hydro-electric dam on Karnafuli River thereby displacing around one hundred thousand indigenous Jumma peoples from their ancestral homeland without proper rehabilitation and compensation.

The CHTs delegates submitted memorandums to the Bangladesh authorities demanding provincial autonomy in the CHTs for the protection of their identity in 1972. The authorities responded to their demand militarily and subsequently moved more than 400,000 Bengali Muslim settlers from various plain districts into the hills as part of its ethnic cleansing and Bengalization policy in the region. This resulted in several genocides and other forms of violation of human rights and harassment to women, setting fire on local inhabitants villages, Buddhist temples, and churches, as well as torturing etc. of the indigenous Jumma people and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Jummas from their ancestral lands and finally an exodus of some 70,000 Jumma refugees into the Indian State of Tripura in the late1980s.

Under international criticism, the Government of Bangladesh signed a peace agreement popularly known as the “CHT peace accord” with the political organization of the indigenous Jumma people, the Shanti Bahini or Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), on December 2, 1997. The accord provides limited autonomy to the indigenous people. However, most of the fundamental points of the accord remain unimplemented till today. Such points include formation of the local Governmental bodies and effective transfer of power to them, settlement of land-disputes between Jummas and Bengali Muslim settlers, rehabilitation of the Jumma refugees and internally displaced Jummas, and withdrawal of the “temporary” military and paramilitary camps and the Bengali Muslim settlers from the CHT etc. Experience gained over the years indicates that the Government has no political commitment to implement the accord. Rather, the Government has been manipulating the whole implementation process of the accord in a way in which more Bengali Muslims are migrating into the hills and development programs are becoming increasingly Bengali Muslim-oriented. This has had a seriously negative impact on the socio-economic condition of the local indigenous people.

The Government is carrying out a systematic demographic invasion of the CHTs. As a result, the Bengali Muslim population has increased in great number (more than 60%) in the CHT.

The indigenous people are neither getting the benefits of development programs nor are they getting back their lands, which are still under the occupation of the Bengali Muslim settlers and military. Many indigenous youths are finding themselves in a difficult socio-economic situation in which they are losing their traditional ways of livelihood without any sustainable alternatives. As a result, the crime rate is increasing rapidly and the whole CHT is moving towards a serious humanitarian crisis-like situation. This is leading them to adopt anti-social professions such as, hooliganism in the streets in the case of young men and prostitution in cities in the case of young women.

Unemployment is increasing at a hitherto unknown rate. Many indigenous youths are choosing to migrate to other developed or developing countries in search of livelihood. Cases of mental disorder and suicide of youths due to lack of living conditions within the CHT have been reported. Many indigenous women are being forced to work in private and corporate sectors in cities, where they are grossly exploited economically and sexually.

Because of their distinct racial origin, language, religion and culture, the indigenous Jumma people are often subjected to wide racial discrimination in education, employment, sports, justice, land and resources, trade etc. in Bangladesh. The country’s legal system is unitary and this provides no special legal safeguards to protect the rights of the indigenous Jumma people.

How serious violations are being perpetrated against indigenous Jumma people by the Bangladesh Government’s Civil & Military authorities.

Some civil and military officials who served in Banderban Hill District have taken 1000-1500 acres of land each from Indigenous Jumma Peoples, whereas as per as law of Bangladesh each person can have only 5 (five) acres of land. Arrangement should be made to return all lands belonging to Indigenous Jumma Peoples.

More than 100 indigenous people have been arrested since January 2007, often on false arms charges. Many have been tortured and given long and unjust prison terms, and two indigenous Jummas have died in police custody. Ranglai Mro was beaten and tortured before being given a 17 year sentence. It is widely believed that he was targeted for protesting against the eviction of 750 Mro families from their lands to make way for an army training centre.

Military Atrocities,
We have learnt that the military and paramilitary of Bangladesh are actively involved in all encroachment activities in the CHTs. It is very shameful that the UN peace keepers are involved in this, such as Betchari sub-zone commander Major Qamrul Hassan (37 Bengal, 4 Bde) in Bara Merung who just returned from Africa and was posted in the CHTs after completion of his tenure with the UN Peace mission.

Religious persecutions,
Religious persecution and intolerance is high in the CHTs of Bangladesh. As you may be aware, the majority of the Indigenous Jumma people are followers of Theravada Buddhism. It has been reported that the settlement of illegal Bengali Muslims has taken place in the lands of the Buddhist temple of Sadhana Tila, Boalkhali Buddha Vihara and Orphanage under Diginala sub-district, and Arjo Kuthir at Maischari in Mahalchari sub-district under Khagrachari Hill Tracts. The government officials have ordered not to build any Buddhist temples in Mahalchari. There are persecutions and arrests of Buddhist monks and novices on false cases and charges.

Land-grabbing,
In March 2007 Ruma cantonment acquired about 7,570 acres of ancestral land belonging to indigenous Jumma people for extension of its garrison and ordered more than 400 families to leave the area. In Bandarban district alone, 40,077 acres of land have been given in lease to illegal settlers while a total of 94,066 acres of land were acquired for so-called afforestation projects and 75,686 acres were acquired for establishment of military bases in the district.

In another recent case of land-grabbing, illegal settlers have reportedly taken over 59 acres of land belonging to 17 indigenous Jumma people in Kobakhali Mouza (No-51) under Dighinala police station in Khagrachari district. In an operation lasting from 1st to 15th August 2007, large groups of settlers led by former Union Parishad (UP) member Mohammed Abu Taleb of Hashinchonpur village and former UP member Mohammed Kader of Kobakhali bazaar took control of the hilly lands belonging to Chakma people with the direct assistance of the army., the paramilitary forces and the local Village Defense Party (VDP, Bengali Muslim arms group in village) members.

Illegal Settlements,
In June 2007, the military reportedly settled down at least 200 Bengali settlers families at Dhankupya village under Khagrachari district after forcibly evicting 12 indigenous families from their ancestral lands. Earlier, on 8 March 2007, an army camp was set up on the land of Prithiviraj Chakma in the same village to protect the settlers.

You may also be aware about the on-going activities of the Bangladesh military that has unleashed a reign of terror across the CHTs by carrying out extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrests, illegal detention, lodging false cases and terrorizing the people by frequent raids, military operations, torture, threats and intimidation.

Extra-judicial Killing,
On 5 August 2007, Rasel Chakma, son of Paritosh Chakma of Dewan Para village under Naniarchar Upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district was arrested by the security forces and killed in custody. The security forces claimed that he died of a heart attack but the body reportedly bore injury marks of torture.

Earlier, on 3 March 2007, a group of army personnel from Ghilachari camp under Naniachar Thana arrested Suresh Mohan Chakma, son of Phedera Chakma at Choichari village in Rangamati district without any warrant or reason. The victim was tortured at Ghilachari army camp in Rangamati district and he died on 7 March 2007, a day after being released.

Arrest under False Charges,
It has been observed that indigenous Jumma people have been unfairly targeted by the military that are taking advantage of the Emergency situation. Since the declaration of Emergency on 11 January 2007, at least a few hundred Jumma people have been arrested.

False charges of extortion, kidnapping, murder etc have been lodged against the arrested Jumma people. During raids, the military plants weapons and ammunitions and claims to have recovered the same from the house of the detained persons to show a ground for arrest. Most cases have been filed under Section 16 (b) of the Emergency Power Rules of 2007, which denies release on bail to the accused during the enquiry, investigation, and trial of the case. Many have been indicted by courts under the Arms Act.

Persecution of indigenous leaders,
In July 2007, Satyabir Dewan, general secretary of PCJSS; Ranglai Mro, chairman of Sualok Union Parishad and headman of Sualok Mouza, and Bikram Marma, president of Kaptai Upazila PCJSS branch were each sentenced to 17 years of jail by a court in Chittagong under the Arms Act for allegedly possessing illegal arms. Another indigenous leader, Sai Mong Marma, organizing secretary, PCJSS Kaptai upazila branch was sentenced to 10 years in jail under the Arms Act. It has been widely alleged that these leaders have been falsely implicated under the Arms Act for protesting against the injustices committed by the Bangladesh military in CHT.

This is a rough description of the problems of the indigenous Jumma people in the CHT. The real picture of the problems is worse than what I have just stated. In Buddhist philosophy, we know - reality cannot be expressed in terms of language or words. I, therefore, encourage you to come to the CHTs and observe the situation directly to understand the gravity of the problems.

We call upon concerned citizens to support our demands to the Bangladesh government:

1. To stop military atrocities and human rights abuses on indigenous people in CHTs;

2. To immediately stop illegal land grabbing and return the illegally occupied lands to their rightful owners;

3. To stop using the Bengali speaking settlers as a tool of national oppression against indigenous Jumma people and to withdraw all illegal settlers from CHTs.

4. To implement the CHT Peace Accord of 1997.

5. To appoint indigenous people in all posts under the CHT local government system.

6. To establish an international Human Rights Camp in the CHTs.

7. To provide constitutional assurances for the future safeguard of the indigenous people and non-repetition of past abuses.

Dear friends, I hope you will help the indigenous Jumma people in CHTs, Bangladesh, take this message to the Bangladesh authorities as well as to the international community through your esteemed dailies or through your letters, expressions of concern and other suitable means.

Thank you very much for your patience and kind co-operation.

May all beings be in peace and happiness!

Sources:-
Jumma People’s Network, UK. http://www.jpnuk.org.uk/
Asian Centre for Human Rights. http://www.achrweb.org/
Survival International http://www.survival-international.org/
Amnesty International www.amnesty.org/en/Chittagong+Hill+Tracts

Bangladesh: Q & A session at the UPR

2009-02-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

ACHR WEEKLY REVIEW
www.achrweb.org/Review/2009/224-09.html

The United Nations Working Group of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council is scheduled to examine Bangladesh on 3 February 2009. The government of Bangladesh has submitted its report (A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/1). As many as 17 stakeholders (civil society organizations), including Asian Centre for Human Rights, have contributed to the process to examine the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s submission does not appear to effectively reflect the human rights situation nor does it appear to correspond to the gravity of the critical human rights issues facing the country.

Since the submission of the report by the Bangladesh government, major changes have taken place in the country. For example, the National Human Rights Commission was established through an Ordinance and the Right to Information Ordinance was promulgated into law.

Most importantly, the Awami League won the national elections held on 29 December 2008 and a new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been formed since then.

In the light of these developments, the Asia Coalition on UPR submits the following to be raised at the Working Group on UPR:

a. Elections in the CHTs Regional Councils:

The parliamentary elections held on 29 December 2008 and the forthcoming Union Parishad elections are to be welcomed.

However, no election has been held in the local bodies of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs). The CHTs Regional Council established in 1998 represents the people through unelected officials. The last elections in the Hill District Councils of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari were held in 1989 by then President General H M Ershad. The Hill District Councils and the Regional Council are being run by appointees of the authorities in Dhaka.

The government of Bangladesh should be asked as to when the elections in the Hill District Councils and the Regional Council will be held.

The members of the Working Group on UPR should recommend that the government of Bangladesh provide a timeline to hold elections in the Hill District Councils and the Regional Council of the CHTs.

b. Implementation of the CHTs Peace Accord

The present government of Bangladesh headed by Awami League signed the CHTs Peace Accord in December 1997.

Since that time the CHTs Accord has not been implemented. The army camps have not been withdrawn as required under Section 17 (a) of Part D of the Peace Accord and the CHT Land Commission established under Section 4 of Part D of the Peace Accord does not operate and not a single case of land dispute has been resolved.

A total of 9,780 families out of total 12,222 Jumma families who returned from India following the CHT Peace Accord have not got back their land or housing. . In May 2000, Task Force Committee identified 90,208 Jumma families and 38,156 non-tribal Bengali settler families as “internally displaced families” in CHTs[1]. In addition, there were some 10,000 tribal IDP families who were left out by the Task Force. By including the non-tribal IDPs, the government sought to legitimize the settlement of the Muslims from the plains in the CHTs.

While the Jumma IDPs were not provided any rehabilitation or food aid, educational facilities, health care services, sanitation and safe drinking water etc, illegal settler families have been provided free rations and other facilities by the government since 1978.[2]

On the other hand, indigenous peoples and their lands continue to be targeted. In 2008, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people sent a joint communication calling the attention of the Government to the alleged illegal seizure of the traditional lands of indigenous communities in the CHT and systematic campaign to support the settlement of non-indigenous families in the CHTs with the active support of the security forces, with the ultimate aim of displacing the indigenous community.[3]

The government of Bangladesh should be questioned as to what measures it will take to fully implement the Peace Accord especially withdrawal of the army camps, functioning of the CHTs Land Commission and addressing the issues raised by the Special Rapporteur. The government of Bangladesh should be recommended to specify the measures to ensure full and proper rehabilitation of all the returnee indigenous Jumma refugees and indigenous IDPs.

c. Return of ‘Enemy’ Property

In 2000 the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance, after receiving information about appropriation of property under Vested Property Act, recommended the government of Bangladesh to ensure the full restoration of the property of the Hindu community and the Hurukh/Oroan tribes.[4]

The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) in its UPR submission reported that Hindu minorities continued to be targeted and their religious freedoms violated. It is reported that some 1.2 million or 44 per cent of the 2.7 million Hindu households in Bangladesh were affected by the Enemy Property Act, 1965 and the Vested Property Act, 1974 which is empowered to identify the Hindus as enemies of the State and seize their properties.[5] According to an estimate, approximately 2.5 million acres of land owned by Hindus was seized under the Vested Property Act until the adoption of the Enemy Properties Return Act 2001.[6]

The current government of Bangladesh led by Awami League was in power when parliament adopted the Enemy Properties Return Act 2001 with a view to restoring ownership of the lost land to the Hindu families. However the Act remains un-implemented. According to a recent study by Abul Barkat, professor of economics at Dhaka University, nearly 200,000 Hindu families have lost over 40,000 acres of land since 2001.[7]

The government of Bangladesh should outline as to what measures it will take to implement the Enemy Properties Return Act 2001.

d. Human Rights Defenders:

Delhi-based Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Network (AITPN) expressed concerns about the persecution of the indigenous human rights defenders in Bangladesh. The government has been seeking to establish an Eco-Park in the Modhupur forest area under Tangail district at the cost of displacement and survival of about 25,000 indigenous Garo and Koch peoples.

On 27 April 2007, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture asked the government of Bangladesh to investigate the killing of Choles Ritchil and the ill-treatment of Protab Jamble, Piren Simsang and Tuhin Hadima, and prosecute the guilty as well as to compensate the victims and Mr. Ritchil’s family.

In its reply submitted on 11 October 2007, the government of Bangladesh stated that a one-member Judicial Investigation Commission headed by a retired District Judge has been set up to investigate the killing of Cholesh Ritchil. Four persons belonging to Armed Forces were awarded punishments, which included removal from service and exclusion from promotion. Finally, a number of other individuals, including public officials, doctors and forest officials, had also been subject to criminal proceedings.

The government of Bangladesh should be asked to make public the report of the Judicial Investigation Commission into the killing of Cholesh Ritchil and the action taken report including details of punishments awarded to the guilty along with the names and designation of the persons facing criminal proceedings.

e. Accountability for extrajudicial executions

The stakeholders’ summary (A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/3) underlines that the security forces of Bangladesh have been responsible for systematic and widespread “extrajudicial executions”, arrest and routine use of torture with impunity.

AITPN noted that the continued presence and expansion of military bases is contributing to ongoing human rights violations including extrajudicial killings in the Chitagong Hill Tracts (CHT).[8] According to human rights group Odhikar, a total of 319 persons have been killed by the law enforcement personnel during the first 23 months of the State of Emergency (11 January 2007 to 11 December 2008). Of them, 155 persons were killed by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and 118 by the police.[9]

The government of Bangladesh should be asked what measures are being taken to establish accountability into the killings by Rapid Action Battalion, the police and other security forces.

f. National Human Rights Commission

The care-taker government of Bangladesh should be congratulated for the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission and appointment of the members.

The government of Bangladesh should be asked what measures will be taken to enact a law including guarantees for inclusion of religious minorities and indigenous/tribal peoples as members of the NHRC.

g. Right to Information Ordinance

On 20 September 2008, the Caretaker government approved the Right to Information Ordinance, 2008 and it came into effect on 20 October 2008 with the publication in the official Bangladesh Gazette.

The Working Group on UPR should ask the government to pass the Right to Information Ordinance in the Parliament and to provide further information about the establishment of the Information Commission provided for under the Right to Information (RTI) Ordinance, 2008 to implement the RTI Ordinance.

h. Cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms

The government of Bangladesh has failed to comply with its treaty reporting obligation to submit periodic reports to treaty bodies. Bangladesh’s twelfth to fourteenth report to the CERD is overdue from 2002 to 2006; initial and second report to CESCR is overdue from 2000 to 2005; initial report to HR Committee is overdue since 2001; first to third reports to CAT is overdue since 1999 to 2007; Second report to OP-CRC-AC is overdue since 2007.[10]

Bangladesh has also failed to ratify a number of key international human rights instruments including the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in independent countries.

The government of Bangladesh should be asked to submit its pending periodic reports to the treaty bodies and to ratify the ILO Convention No. 169 and other international human rights instruments which it has not yet ratified.
[1]. Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti, Bangladesh
[2]. Asian Centre for Human Rights – South Asia Human Rights Index 2008, Bangladesh Chapter
[3]. Para 39, A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/2
[4]. Para 40, A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/2
[5]. Para 48, A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/3
[6]. Religious minorities vulnerable in Bangladesh: US, Hindu Janajagruti Samity, 17 September 2007, http://www.hindujagruti.org/news/3028.html
[7]. Bangladeshi Hindus loose property: study, Economic Times, 26 May 2007
[8]. Para 20, A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/3
[9]. 23 Months of State of Emergency in Bangladesh, Odhikar, 12 December 2008 available at http://www.odhikar.org/documents/23months_report.pdf
[10]. A/HRC/WG.6/4/BGD/2

Letter to PM Sheikh Hasina with Recommendations to Improve Human Rights in Bangladesh

2009-02-01T23:04:00.000-08:00

January 29, 2009

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister's Office
Old Sangsad Bhaban
Tejagaon, Dhaka-1215
Bangladesh

Via facsimile: +880 2 8113244; +880 2 8111015

Re: Human Rights in Bangladesh

Dear Prime Minister,

Congratulations on your recent election success. As you know, Human Rights Watch has consistently raised human rights issues with the interim government put in place and supported by the army from January 2007-December 2008. We have also raised concerns with its predecessor, the coalition headed by the Bangladesh National Party.

The Awami League and its allies have a unique opportunity and the responsibility to address major human rights problems that have been ignored by successive governments. We hope that with the strong mandate you and your party have obtained that you will tackle the very serious abuses that Bangladeshis face at the hands of the security forces and others.

I urge your government to use the February session of the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review to show the priority it places on addressing longstanding human rights problems by making concrete and specific commitments. We offer suggestions below. This will be an early test for your government.

In order to ensure that Bangladesh lives up to its obligations under the Bangladeshi constitution and international human rights law, we urge you and your government to give high priority to the following issues:

Extrajudicial executions and torture
Since the establishment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in mid-2004, RAB and the police have jointly executed well over a thousand people in what they often refer to as "crossfire killings." Many, and probably most, of those killed in "crossfire" have been killed not in crossfire but have been executed in custody after being subjected to torture.

Torture generally appears to be a routine feature in criminal investigations, as well as a means for law enforcement officials to extort money. Legal provisions that give the authorities a broad mandate to arrest and detain people without a warrant have contributed to these problems.

An agency of particular concern is the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), which has been used by successive governments to silence opposition politicians and other perceived government critics. The agency has over the years been responsible for numerous arbitrary arrests and acts of torture.

Since the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent state, members of the security forces have committed violations of human rights without being prosecuted for their actions. This has resulted in almost total impunity for human rights abuses.

Arbitrary detentions
As you and members of the Awami League, the opposition Bangladesh National Party, and others experienced under the caretaker government, arbitrary detentions are a widespread problem in Bangladesh. But this is not a new problem. Many Bangladeshis, whether prominent individuals such as yourself or average rural dwellers, have for many years experienced the scourge of arbitrary detention by the security forces. We hope you will make ending this practice among the highest priorities of your administration.

In particular, we urge you to repeal the Special Powers Act, 1974, which has over the years been misused for political and other reasons to keep thousands of people detained for long periods of time without due process and a chance to challenge their detention before an independent tribunal. Detentions have often been based on mere allegations or politically motivated grounds. Under the military-backed caretaker government, the Special Powers Act was frequently used. The Act and its implementation have been repeatedly criticized by the Supreme Court, but remains in force despite past commitments by the political parties to have it repealed.

Many other individuals have been also been arbitrarily detained in situations in which the Act has not been invoked. They have been denied the right to counsel, denied the right to be produced in court in a timely manner, denied their right to a speedy trial without undue delay, and denied the right to trial before an independent tribunal.

Protection of Minorities and Women
Ethnic and religious minorities have since long been victims of intimidation, discrimination and land grabbing. According to one study, more than one million Hindu households have lost their land over the past 40 years through abuse and arbitrary application of the Enemy Property Act 1965 and the Vested Property Act 1974. The Vested Property Return Act of 2001, which provides for property to be returned to its original owners, has been ineffectual and land loss has continued at an alarming rate. There are continuous reports of indigenous groups, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and other parts of the country, being subjected to land grabbing, unlawful evictions in the name of development, and destruction of their homes and property.

The Ahmadis have been subjected to violent attacks as fundamentalists demand that they be declared non-Muslims, thereby violating their religious freedom.

Discrimination against women is common in both public and private spheres. Domestic violence is a daily reality for many women and dowry-related crimes are reported to be increasing. Sexual minorities are also subject to discrimination and consensual homosexual conduct is a crime.

Corruption
Bangladesh has long been considered one of the most corrupt countries in the world (routinely placed at or near the bottom of Transparency International's index). Corruption has had a severely negative impact on the Bangladeshi people's enjoyment of economic and social rights. It is essential that the government undertakes effective measures to address the problem of corruption and that it ensures that all such efforts are undertaken with full regard to international human rights norms and international and domestic fair trial standards. The counter-corruption efforts of the caretaker government were marred by arbitrary and illegal detentions and reports of torture and mistreatment in custody in order to obtain confessions. These practices must end.

Counter-Terrorism
The Anti-Terrorism Ordinance, 2008, sets out an overly broad definition of terrorist acts, including mere property crimes as well as attacks targeting individuals, contrary to United Nations recommendations. It criminalizes speech meant to support or "bolster the activities of" a banned organization, without showing that such statements constitute incitement of criminal conduct. The new law also allows convictions for financing terrorism based on mere suspicion of criminal conduct, violating the basic criminal law requirement of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Human Rights Watch expressed its concerns about the Ordinance in a June 2008 statement (see http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/06/29/bangladesh-repeal-new-terror-law). Parliament should either allow the Ordinance to lapse or amend it to bring it into conformity with international law before codifying it into Bangladeshi law. The government and parliament should also ensure that any new laws drafted on the subject are developed through a thorough public consultative process.

Death penalty
There are currently about one thousand people on death row awaiting execution. Through a resolution adopted in December 2007, the UN General Assembly has called for a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. As the death penalty is a punishment of an inherently cruel, inhuman and final nature, we urge the government to take immediate steps to abolish it.

RECOMMENDATIONS
To address the above problems, Human Rights Watch urges the government to:

Take all necessary measures to put an end to the security forces' involvement in extrajudicial executions, acts of torture and other abuses of human rights.
Address impunity by ensuring that all human rights violations are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible, regardless of rank and political affiliation, are prosecuted and brought to justice.
Disband RAB which has since the outset based its operating culture on practices such as extrajudicial killings. In the event RAB is retained we urge you to establish an independent commission to assess RAB's performance, to identify those believed to be responsible for serious violations such as extra judicial killings who should be excluded from a reformed RAB and prosecuted, and develop an action plan to transform RAB into an agency that operates within the law and with full respect for international human rights norms.
Disband DGFI which has too long depended on illegal practices such as arbitrary detentions and torture. In the event that DGFI is retained we urge you to establish an independent commission to assess DGFI's performance, identify those believed to be responsible for serious violations such as torture who should be should be excluded from a reformed DGFI and prosecuted, and develop an action plan to transform DGFI into an agency that operates within the law and with full respect for international human rights norms. DGFI's operations should be strictly limited to lawful military intelligence activities and in no circumstances should it engage in surveillance of the political opposition and critics of the regime.
Amend Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and any other legal provisions that give the authorities overly broad detention powers which facilitate torture and other human rights abuses.
Human Rights Watch urges the government and parliament to change existing law to:

Amend the military legislation currently in force and the Armed Police Battalion Ordinance to ensure that members of the armed forces and RAB involved in violations of human rights are tried under the civilian criminal justice system.
Amend all legal provisions, such as articles 132 and 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which in effect shield law enforcement officials from being held to account for violations of human rights.
Initiate a process, in accordance with stated intentions, for bringing to trial those responsible for war crimes such as acts of murder, rape and wanton destruction and pillage of civilian property, in connection with the 1971-war.
Repeal the Special Powers Act, which has been used to carry out arbitrary detentions for many years.
Review existing legislation, such as the Vested Property Act, which has allegedly contributed to large scale land loss among members of the Hindu minority. Take effective action to ensure that ethnic and religious minorities are protected from land grabbing, intimidation and discrimination.
Provide training on gender sensitivity to all law enforcement officials.
Finalize the draft law on domestic violence and ensure that it is consistent with international standards and that it is implemented effectively.
Repeal Section 377 of the criminal code, which criminalizes consensual homosexual conduct.
Human Rights Watch further urges the Bangladeshi government to make international legal commitments to promote and protect human rights by:

Acceding to the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Acceding to the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Remove declarations and lift reservations made to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Covenant on Civil of Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
We know this is a big agenda. But we also know that with the majority your government enjoys in parliament you have an historic opportunity to engage in long overdue reform. We urge you and your government to grasp this opportunity to bring real change to the lives of Bangladeshis.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to discussing these and other human rights issues in greater detail with you and the members of your government.

Sincerely,

Brad Adams

Executive Director

Asia Division

Cc: Minister of Foreign Affairs: Dr. Dipu Moni; Minister of Home Affairs: Advocate Sahara Khatun; Minister of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs: Barrister Shafique Ahmed

Source: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/01/29/letter-pm-sheikh-hasina-recommendations-improve-human-rights-bangladesh

PCJSS leader Shaktipara Tripura arrested by police in Dhaka

2009-02-01T22:45:00.000-08:00

A Dhaka court on Saturday sent to jail a Chittagong Hill Tracts leader, who had been on the run since two cases had been filed against him on charges of arms and currency smuggling in 2007.

Ferdaus Ara of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka, ordered Shaktipada Tripura, who is the organising secretary of the Parbotyo Choṭṭogram Jonoshonghoti Shomiti, into jail after he had been picked up from a Mirpur house on Friday night.

Ara also rejected a petition for his bail.

The cases had been filed against Tripura in a Khagrachhari court, said Mohammad Shahjahan Khan, sub-inspector of Mirpur Police Station.

The lawyers for Tripura, who is also a leader of Adivashi Forum, said two cases were filed with the court in 2007.

He was arrested when he had been preparing to return to Khagrachhari to fight the cases, they added.

Source: http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=74596&cid=2

Ranglai Mro still handcuffed

2009-02-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

Handcuffed to his hospital bed, indigenous leader Ranglai Mro, who was brutally tortured, has been waiting 15 days for his bail order documents to reach the jail authorities from the High Court (HC).

The HC granted him bail on January 7 but the leader is still receiving treatment at the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (NICVD) under close watch of six to seven policemen.

“Until we receive papers from the court, we have been ordered to guard him in this way," said a policeman standing before his bed at Ward-6 of the hospital.

DIG (Prisons) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddique said the Dhaka Central Jail authorities did not receive any paper from the court and soon after receiving the papers he would take necessary steps to release the leader.

Bandarban District Jail authorities said they did not get any paper from HC as of yesterday.

Ranglai was arrested on February 24, 2007 and was tortured by law enforcers so severely that he fell ill and was moved to NICVD and kept in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

Even though he is in such a critical condition, the jail authorities had not removed his fetters till human rights organisations, Ain O Salish Kendra and the National Human Rights Commission, intervened.

Director of NICVD Mohibullah said his condition has improved a lot.

"I do not know how much more time it will take," said Ranglai with a tired voice adding that it is very inconvenient for him to move with the handcuffs on.

Mro, also chairman of the Sulaok Union Parishad of Bandarban, was arrested in a case filed under the Arms Act in connection with possession of illegal arms. He was convicted in the arms case on June 13, 2007, and sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment.

An HC division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Mozammel Hossain and Justice Afzal Hossain Ahmed issued his bail order on January 7.

Lawyers sought release of Mro on humanitarian grounds and for emergency medical treatment. They also argued that Mro had been falsely implicated in the case.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=72546

Elections present risks and opportunities for human rights

2008-12-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

Parliamentary elections scheduled for 29 December offer a unique opportunity for improving Bangladesh's battered human rights situation. As an immediate matter, the elections signal the end of a two-year period of state of emergency marked by severe restrictions on political rights such as free assembly and free expression. If conducted properly and free of violence, the elections could inaugurate a more responsive, accountable civilian government -- a development necessary for improving the lives of millions of Bangladeshis now living in grinding poverty and without access to proper housing, education, or health care.

Amnesty International welcomes the withdrawal of the state of emergency on 17 December 2008, and the restoration of rights that had been fully or partially curbed in Bangladesh during the past two years. Amnesty International calls on the major actors on Bangladesh's political scene to do their part to respect and protect the right of all Bangladeshis to participate, without discrimination, in the conduct of public affairs. The Caretaker Government must ensure that people seeking to take part in peaceful election campaigning and in the elections themselves are protected against arbitrary arrests, intimidation and violence. Amnesty International urges all political parties to desist from violence and to commit themselves to the protection of human rights, including of minority groups, now and in future, whether in government or opposition.

Amnesty International has identified the following issues as particularly important to the proper conduct of the upcoming elections and the formation of a new government:

Intimidation and violence against voters

As the country moves away from emergency restrictions, both the Caretaker Government and the political parties have the responsibility to ensure that there is no recurrence of the political violence that characterized previous elections and preceded the declaration of state of emergency on 11 January 2007. From late October 2006 to early January 2007, in the run up to the postponed general elections, at least 35 people were killed and hundreds injured during clashes between rival political groups. The last general elections, which took place in October 2001, were marred by frequent clashes between members and supporters of opposing political parties, who used violent means including sticks, knives, firearms and crude bomb against each other during election campaigning. Thousands of people were left injured and more than 150 killed in these clashes during the three-month period of election campaigning before the polls. At least 10 of those killed were believed to have been hit by bullets fired by the police at the crowds.

The Caretaker Government has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that elections proceed properly and serve to register the genuine wishes of the Bangladeshi people. The Caretaker Government's efforts should now be directed at upholding the newly restored freedoms during the coming elections. The Caretaker Government has mobilized nearly 50,000 troops to provide security and minimize partisan violence that has characterized past polling efforts in the country. Law enforcement personnel can play a major role in preventing threats, intimidation and attacks from non-state actors against voters. In the past, armed gangs acting at the instigation of local politicians have committed such abuses with impunity.

However, Bangladesh's security forces, including police, the Rapid Action Battalion and army units deployed to maintain law and order have a poor track record on human rights. There are credible reports of harassment of human rights defenders, torture and other ill-treatment, and the use of unnecessary or excessive force and extrajudicial executions during law enforcement operations. For instance, between January 2007 and August 2008, more than 200 persons died in what police and RAB have portrayed as "crossfire" but are suspected to be extrajudicial executions. The government has not rigorously investigated these reports and no RAB or army personnel allegedly involved have ever been brought to justice. The government must ensure that law enforcement personnel are held accountable for any human rights violations they have committed.

Prior to January 2007, the major political parties have either instigated, supported or directly engaged in violence against their political opponents. The Hindu minority group has also been a target of electoral and communal violence. Student groups of the main political parties have been among the main perpetrators of political violence in Bangladesh. These groups include Bangladesh Chattra Dhal (BCD, affiliated to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party); Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL, affiliated to the Awami League); and Islami Chattra Shibir, (Shibir, affiliated to Jamaat-e-Islami). Political parties have pledged, but failed, to disarm them. None of the political parties has condemned the violence carried out by their members. On the contrary, the leaders have shown tacit support for violent means, and have at times colluded with criminal gangs to attack their opponents. The political parties have the responsibility to ensure that their cadres and student wings participate peacefully in the electoral process and desist from violence before, during or after the elections.

Restrictions on freedom of assembly

Protecting the right to freedom assembly and association requires firm action from the Caretaker Government to inform and train law enforcement agencies to respect these rights. It also requires active support from political party leaders to ensure that their members respect the right all people, including their opponents, to hold rallies and to campaign for elections. The partial withdrawal, on 3 November 2008, of the ban on political rallies was a step in the right direction but it was not implemented until 12 December. With the lifting of the state of emergency on 17 December, the government should fully restore all rights that had been restricted under the emergency.

Restrictions on freedom of expression

The withdrawal of emergency restrictions on freedom of expression in November 2008 was long-awaited and welcome. Although the restrictions were not being enforced strictly, they nonetheless made it difficult for journalists and human rights defenders to carry out their legitimate work free from harassment, intimidation or abuse. They resulted in the arrest by security forces of at least three journalists and two human rights defenders including Tasneem Khalil and Jahangir Alam Akash in 2007, four of whom claimed to have been tortured while in custody.

Amnesty International recognizes that the situation appears to have improved significantly in 2008, with no one taken into custody for defending human rights.

Amnesty International welcomes the Right to Information Ordinance promulgated in October 2008. It will have a positive impact on freedom of expression when it comes into operation in early 2009 by giving citizens access to information held by public bodies. However, the ordinance explicitly excludes security agencies such as the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, Special Branch of Bangladesh Police and the Intelligence Cell of Rapid Action Battalion from disclosing information unless it relates to human rights violations and corruption.

Attacks against minorities

Fear of attacks against minorities, including Hindus, is a real concern given the electoral violence during and immediately after the parliamentary elections of October 2001. Sporadic attacks against minorities had frequently occurred during parliamentary elections in Bangladesh but the violence took an unprecedented turn during the last elections in 2001. Crowds of assailants, whom journalists and survivors described as members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition, which won the elections, drove hundreds of Hindu families off their land, and in some cases burnt their homes, apparently on grounds of the Hindus' perceived support for the opposition Awami League party. Bnagladeshi newspapers reported that dozens of Hindu women had been raped and at least one Hindu man was hacked to death. Government action -- from late 2001 onwards -- to contain the violence prevented the recurrence of mass scale attacks but no one was brought to justice for the attacks. There are legitimate fears within the human rights community and members of the Hindu minority that similar attacks against Hindus could occur during the forthcoming elections.

Another alarming development since late 2003 has been the rise in attack and hate speech against members of the Ahmadiyya community. The attacks have largely been instigated by Khatm-e Nabuwat, an Islamic group demanding that the government declares the Ahmadiyya sect non-Muslim. Instances of such attacks include the killing of an Ahmadi imam, "excommunication" by laying siege to Ahmadi houses and not letting inhabitants out of their homes, the beating of dozens of Ahmadis, and the marching of crowds attempting to occupy Ahmadiyya places of worship and drive the Ahmadis out. Although the previous government and the present Caretaker Government have prevented agitators from entering Ahmadi places of worship or large-scale abuses against their members, there is a high risk of their exposure to such attacks during the unpredictable times of elections.

Other minorities also need protection. For instance, frequent clashes between Bengali settlers and indigenous communities over the settlers' push to acquire indigenous land in the Chittagong Hill Tracts make the area especially vulnerable to eruption of violence during elections. Indigenous people say army units deployed in the area do not stop settlers from confiscating their land or from attacking them. Indigenous voters need assurance that they can cast their vote freely without fear of attacks or harassment during or after elections. Army units deployed in the area have a responsibility to ensure their safety and security at all times.

Commitment to improving Bangladesh's human rights situation

Political parties must show a more robust commitment to human rights, and refrain from supporting any laws or activity that have been or will be abusing human rights. Upholding freedoms requires support and cooperation from political parties. Although the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party have stated publically that they will uphold human rights, they have not provided a clear explanation of how they will make this happen. Their past poor record on human rights lends little credence to their promises in the absence of concrete plans for implementation.

The Awami League has not provided a concrete plan about how it will follow through on its promise of ensuring the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, ending extrajudicial executions and establishing the rule of law. Their promise to strengthen the Human Rights Commission and increase its effectiveness lacks credibility as they promised, but failed, to establish a human rights commission during their last tenure of office (1996-2001).

The BNP's promise that if voted to power, they will implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is vague and is not backed up by any plan of implementation. It is also in sharp contrast to their responsibility as the government of the day in launching the military operation "Clean Heart" (16 October 2002 to 9 January 2003). Troops deployed during that operation to maintain law and order were involved in extrajudicial executions of some 40 people, but received immunity from prosecution by the then BNP-led government. The BNP-led government set up RAB and failed to investigate the serious allegations of killings and other human rights violations by them.

Statements by Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party (Ershad) that they will introduce blasphemy laws are of serious concern. In Amnesty International's experience such laws have been used in other countries to suppress freedom of expression and to persecute religious minorities, including in particular members of the Ahmadiyya community.

Specifically, Amnesty International urges the Caretaker Government to:

• ensure full freedom of expression and information to debate public affairs, to criticize and oppose, to publish political material and to advertise political ideas;

• continue to uphold the current trend not to arrest any journalists, human rights defenders or political activists exposing human rights violations or peacefully expressing their views;

• react efficiently and promptly to any instances of political violence by deploying adequate numbers of law enforcement personnel at the trouble spots;

• ensure that law enforcement personnel including police, Rapid Action Battalion and army units deployed to protect people against political violence do so in accordance with international human rights standards, including the UN guidelines against the use of excessive use of force,;

• ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations by the civilian justice system of alleged human rights violations by military personnel and the RAB, including arbitrary arrest, torture, other ill-treatment, and deaths in custody, or use of unnecessary or excessive force with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.

• ensure that minority communities, including Hindus and Ahmadis are protected against possible attacks during and after the forthcoming elections; send clear instructions to the army units in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to ensure that indigenous people in the area are protected against attacks from Bengali settlers during or after elections.

Amnesty International urges all parliamentary candidates and political parties to:

• publically pledge to promote and respect the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association during and after the elections, including by their opponents and minority groups to hold and express different opinions, organize rallies and campaign for elections, without being attacked violently;

• publically pledge to take effective steps to strengthen human rights in full conformity with international human rights standards, including by endorsing the measures taken by the Caretaker Government to establish the National Human Rights Commission, freedom of information, independence of the judiciary and tackle corruption;

• refrain from inciting, supporting or participating in political violence and make a clear and public call to all party members and supporters to respect human rights and the rule of law;

• support independent and impartial human rights monitoring (during and after the election campaign).

END/

Public Document

For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 or email: press@amnesty.org

International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK

www.amnesty.org

Sources: http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGASA130112008&lang=e

Ten Jummas hurt in settler attack in Mahalchari

2008-11-28T07:25:00.001-08:00

At least ten Jummas were injured in a settler attack in Mahalchari under Khagrachari district yesterday, 27 November.

Sources from Khagrachari said the attack took place at around 3:30 pm near Mahalchari Police station when the Jummas were on their way to participate in a funeral in the village of Tholipara. The settlers were led by Jasim Uddin from Chongrachari cluster village and were armed with stick and dao (a kind of knife).

Four of the injured were admitted to Khagrachari hospital. Their condition has been stated to be critical.

The incident is a sequel to a series of other incidents. On 24 November, settlers led by Jasim Uddin, a fish trader, caught two UPDF supporters – Tissu Chakma (18) of village Bodanala and Tikon Tripura (18) from Sinkukchari -- and handed them over to the army. This created resentment among the Jumma villagers, who decided not to allow them to fish in their area.

Yesterday, at around 1pm when a group of settler fishermen went there to catch fish the Jumma villagers told them that they would not allow them to fish until the arrested UPDF supporters were set free. A heated altercation took place between the two sides, leading to a minor scuffle.

After coming back, the settlers incited their fellow brothers and attacked the Jummas near the police station without slightest provocation. These Jummas were not in any way involved in the previous incidents.

The Jummas tried to resist the attack but with little success. The police intervened only after the attack was over. Army personnel were also deployed later on.

At least ten Jummas were reported to have been injured in the premeditated attack. Four of them were admitted to Khagrachari hospital. They have been identified as Ulhapru Marma(42) son of Ushapru Marma of village Mahamunipara, Chinginala, Mahalchari; Kamol Marma (25) son of Ushapru Marma of Village Mahamunipara, Chinginala, Mahalchari; Mrs. Shuimrasang Marma(60) wife of Mr. Lailapru Marma of Village Khaiyongsa para; and Kangja aung Marma(34) son of Mr. Chailapru Marma of Village Khaiyangsa para. Mr. Kangja aung Marma is an employee (Bloc Supervisor) of Agriculture institute.

A few settlers also reportedly sustained minor injuries, but their identity was not revealed fearing criminal actions. None of the attackers has so far been arrested.

chtnews.com
News No. 172/2008, November 28, 2008

Chittagong Hill Tracts & The Missing Pahari Vote

2008-11-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

by Naeem Mohaiemen

Buried in the middle of the raja-raja war over elections is news of the ulu-khagra getting crushed. I first saw the news in an item in Shamokal: in a list of political parties denied registration, two names jumped out. UPDF (United Peoples Democratic Front) and PCJSS (Parbotto Chottogram Jonoshonghoti Samity). The only two large political parties representing the rights of the Pahari/Jumma people on Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Chittagong's regional paper Shuprobhat Bangladesh (27/10/08) first carried a detailed news item about this denial of election registration. Among mainstream newspapers, only Ittefaq (29/10/08) seems to have picked up the news. And there the matter will rest and die out. Or will it?

2007 marked the tenth anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord. In the CHT, there was a crack down on political dissidents, which included not only members of indigenous political parties (JSS and UPDF), but also civil society representatives without political affiliation, who have been vocal on the rights of indigenous people. The year saw a continuation of the long-term unstated policy of ethnic displacement in the CHT (bringing Bengali settlers from elsewhere and displacing indigenous Jumma people), a trend that had accelerated during the five years of BNP-Jamaat government. At the same time, a few positive trends emerged: BLAST lawsuit regarding district judges' court, first meeting of CHT advisory committee in seven years, and the appointment of Raja Devashish Roy to Ministry of CHT Affairs.

The landmark 1997 Peace Accord that ended Shanti Bahini's twenty year autonomy insurgency shows very few signs of implementation. Vital clauses that have remained unimplemented by the last two political governments include activating the Land Commission, withdrawal of all “temporary camps” of Army, BDR, APBn (Armed Police Battalion), and handing over of full control of local civil and police administration to three hill district councils. The one Peace Accord clause that has been settled is the setting up of district judges’ courts in 3 hill districts to clear a backlog of over 25,000 cases . This followed a writ petition at the high court by BLAST. The verdict, delivered by the high court, instructed the government to set up district judge’s court in all three hill districts. Another positive development was the CTG’s decision to call a meeting of the CHT Affairs Ministry Advisory Committee, the first such meeting after a five year gap during the BNP-Jamaat government. At the same time, militant pro-Bengali settler group “Parbottho Shomo Odhikar Andolon” (The Hill Equal Rights Movement) continued to harass Pahari populations with the knowledge and support of local authorities.

In a disturbing new development, a writ was filed in 2007 in the High Court by Advocate Md. Tajul Islam, a member of the Jamaat e Islami, challenging the constitutionality of the 1997 Peace Accord. The case has been filed against various Government Ministries but interestingly, did not initially include any of the CHT based institutions or Pahari leaders. Later, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and the Rangamati Hill District Council petitioned the Court to become parties to the writ. In their response to the Court, they argue that the democratically elected National Parliament passed four laws ratifying parts of the Peace Accord: Parbattya Chattagram Ancholik Porishad Ain, 1998 (Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Act, 1998), Rangamati Parbattya Zilla Sthaniya Sarkar (Shongshodhon) Ain 1998, Khagrachhari Parbattya Zilla Sthaniya Sarkar (Shongshodhon) Ain 1998, Bandarban Parbattya Zilla Sthaniya Sarkar (Shongshodhon) Ain 1998. They also argues that reservations for "tribal persons" of particular posts is fully mandated under Articles 28(4) and 29(3)(a) of the Constitution and also by the State’s international treaty obligations.

Advocate Tajul Islam's writ, filed at a strategic moment, has already accomplished what may be its main objective-- inclusion of Bengali settlers in the Pahari voter list for the December 2008 national elections. In response to this petition, a Division Bench ruled in August 2007 that until the writ is disposed, the Election Commission should not differentiate between permanent and non-permanent residents in CHT while registering voters. This would mean that Bengali settlers who have been brought to CHT as part of government policy of displacement would effectively be able to vote in the area -- this would result in permanently dismantling the one-time numeric majority of the Paharis, risking lack of representation at all levels of administration and public life. This could be interpreted as undermining the 1997 Peace Accord and the Hill District Council Acts of 1989 (Acts Nos. 19, 20 and 21 of 1989), which provide that only permanent residents of the respective Hill Districts can be enlisted as voters on the electoral roll for election in the respective Hill District Councils. In a straight vote, without separate seat allocations for the Pahari vote, Bengali candidates (who would get the votes of all settlers) would most likely win most (if not all) the seats of the CHT. Thus Bengali MPs will decide the life and future of Pahari people, undermining all their struggles for self-representation.

It is in this context that we look at the EC's decision to deny registration to UPDF and PCJSS. It in effect penalizes the Pahari people for participating in the democratic process, telling them they do not have the right to have their own regional political parties. Among the reasons stated by EC, as reported by Ittefaq, the parties have been denied registration because they lack offices and committees in ten Zilas and fifty Upazilas. There are several other "technical" reasons given as well, but this is the one that jumped out at me. Chittagong Hill Tracts has a total three Zilas. Based on this logic, a regional party representing indigenous people would never be able to contest the national election-- now or in the future.

In a writ petition currently being filed on behalf of United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), each of the EC's arguments for non-registration is refuted. But legal arguments are not sufficient to sway the courts. One government official I spoke to said "there is not enough time to reverse the decision."

What it boils down to is political will. We have seen many rules being bent over the last six months (and even now) to accommodate the negotiations of the large political parties. What will it take to show a similar spirit of accommodation here? In order to allow UPDF and PCJSS to run their own Pahari candidates in their own indigeous land.

It is really up to you. Each and every silent one of you.

Portions of this op-ed are adapted from the author's chapter in 2007Ain Salish Kendra Annual Report.

The Islam in the eyes of Dalai Lama

2008-11-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

New Delhi, India -- What can be more astonishing between a saint confusing people and a rogue speaking the truth? Two such unexpected observations became media bytes recently.

The Dalai Lama, on a month-long trip to the US and South America, said at San Francisco and Chicago that Islam is a religion of compassion which is being unfairly marginalised by few extremists. Ye Xiaowen, the Director of State Administration for Religious Affairs, recently said that Buddhism can reduce social divisions in China better than Islam and Christianity, adding Buddhism can help believers cope with fast-changing society plagued by wealth gap and social unrest.

In the past, the Dalai Lama has criticised both Christianity and Islam for their evangelisation and conversion programmes. Communist China has persecuted all religions including Buddhism. But now, faced with Christian evangelisation and Islamic resurgence, China wants to promote Buddhism, which is also in sync with the ageless Chinese ethos. Intriguingly, Buddhism can help cope with psychological problems amongst people of China, the country with highest execution and suicide rate.

I hold the Dalai Lama in the highest esteem. However, his certification of Islam left me bewildered. It might be true that only a minuscule section of Muslims is indulging in suicide bombing. But why is this section not inspired to work among the sick, poor, illiterate and lepers like Christians? The answer would seem to lie in the analysis of the lives of Jesus Christ and Mohammed, which adherents of the respective religions follow. Why is there a difference between Yasser Arafat and the Dalai Lama when both Palestine and Tibet are "occupied territories"?

I was going through the schedule of the Dalai Lama's forthcoming tours on his website. After visiting the US, he is going to Latin America, then Belgium before returning to India. He then goes to France and the US. Early this year, he visited Israel where he addressed an audience at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. But does he visit Islamic countries like Syria, Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan? Will he be heard in these countries the way he is in Europe and America? Israelis visit Dharamsala in droves. But do Arabs visit him? It is the same story with Hindu monks as well, who fly from India to England, France and the US (leaving the stretch between Pakistan and Morocco).

There can be no bitter irony than a Buddhist monk defending Islam as religion of compassion. Except for mountainous pockets like Ladakh, Tibet and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Buddhism disappeared from India under the sword of Islam. BR Ambedkar, who later embraced Buddhism along with his followers, writes in the essay, 'The Decline and Fall of Buddhism', "There can be no doubt that the fall of Buddhism in India was due to the invasions of the Musalmans. Islam came out as the enemy of the 'but'. The word 'but', as everybody knows, is an Arabic word and means an idol. Not many people, however, know what the derivation of the world 'but' is. 'But' is the Arabic corruption of Buddha. Thus the origin of the word indicates that in Moslem mind idol worship had come to be identified with the Religion of Buddha. To the Muslims, they were one and the same thing. The mission to break the idols thus became the mission to destroy Buddhism. Islam destroyed Buddhism not only in India but wherever it went. Before Islam came into being, Buddhism was the religion of Bactria, Parthia, Afghanistan, Gandhar and Chinese Turkestan, as it was of the whole of Asia. In all these countries Islam destroyed Buddhism... (Writings and Speeches, Vol 3, p 230)

He continues: "The Musalman invaders sacked the Buddhist Universities of Nalanda, Vikramsila, Jagaddala, Odantipur to name a few. They razed to the ground Buddhist monasteries with which the country was studded. The monks fled away in thousands to Nepal, Tibet and other places outside India. Muslim commanders killed a very large number outright. How the Buddhist priesthood perished by the sword of the Muslim invaders has been recorded by the Muslim historians themselves...".

Seen in this light the destruction of Bamiyan Buddha by the Taliban in February 2001 does not seem out of place. Smashing the head of Brahma in Thao Maha Brahma or Phra Phrom Erawan Shrine in Bangkok on March 21, the "mentally disturbed" Muslim youth who did it, proved there is a method in this madness. It reflects the atavistic iconoclastic behaviour of Islam. The tragedy of Chakmas (Buddhists) in CHT is also on predictable lines. It will be interesting to know whether the Buddhists of Ladakh and CHT too feel Islam as a religion of compassion.

Peace Campaign Group (PCG) is a New Delhi-based organisation run by Chakmas, who are Buddhist monks as well, but who fled Bangladesh due to Islamic persecution in the early 1990s. They later obtained Indian citizenships and now actively focus on human rights violation in CHT. PCG recently demanded a Darfur-like UN intervention in CHT, which has been a victim of Islamic demographic aggression, systematically carried out by Bangladesh. Bhante Bhikkhu Prajnalankar, general secretary of PCG, travels around the world on a shoestring budget, to highlight the plight of his people in Bangladesh. A monk, he has no inclination to teach the world Zen and Nirvana. Pursuing Nirvana, he says, will not help when the ground beneath your feet is taken away.

Buddhist Thailand is more aware. It has a no-nonsense approach towards the Islamic secessioism in the south - Narathiwat, Pattani, Songhkla and Yala. Buddhists civilians are frequent targets of Muslim attacks in Narathiwat province of Thailand. But the Thai Government's approach is as decisive as it could be in a democracy. On October 26, 2004, Thailand police entered a historic mosque in Pattani where recalcitrant elements had made a stronghold, and flushed them out. Seventy-eight detained Muslims perished, many of them crushed and suffocated, after hundreds of detainees were loaded in two trucks. Thailand rejected any UN probe into the massacre of Islamist militants in southern Thailand.

Buddhism is a compassionate religion; with its stress on non-violence, it was ill-prepared to meet Islam militarily. The Dalai Lama's comments reminds me of Gandhi, whose message of compassion found no takers amongst Muslims. Speaking about Gandhi's tour of England during Second Round Table Conference, Subhas Chandra Bose said, "During his stay in England, he had to play two roles in one person, the role of a political leader and that of a world-teacher. Sometimes he conducted himself not as a political leader who had come to negotiate with the enemy, but as a master who had come to preach a new faith - that of non-violence and world-peace." (The Indian Struggle 1920-1942, p 252). The Dalai Lama is playing world teacher, more than Tibetan supreme leader, and this time he has gone overboard.

Sources by: http://islamicmoslem.blogspot.com/2008/11/islam-in-eyes-of-dalai-lama.html

Kapaeeng Watch News Release : 11 November 2008

2008-11-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Indigenous peoples observe token hunger strike in Sylhet city

On 8 November 2009 indigenous peoples and green activists observed a token hunger strike in the Sylhet city, demanding cancellation of the government decision to cut 4,000 trees at village Nahar Pan Punji in Moulvibazar district.

The Sylhet Paribesh Andolan, an environmental organisation, arranged the token hunger strike programme from 10:00am and 2:00pm on the premises of the Central Shaheed Minar in the city.

More than 500 indigenous people from different areas of the region and activists of 13 environmental organisations and human rights groups participated in the programme. Later, a rally was held with former vice-chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Professor Sadar Uddin Ahmed, in the chair.

The divisional coordinator of the Adivasi Paribesh Raksha Committee, Father Joseph Gomez, delivered inaugural speech at the rally. Representatives from different socio-cultural organisations and political leaders attended the rally. Lawyers EU Shahidul Islam, Bedananda Bhattacharjya, Dr Abdul Awal Bishwas, Sharif Jamil, Abdul Karim Kim, Gouranga Patro, Jubel Lusai, Joseph Haui, Jesmin Lamin and Michel Dandala, among others, spoke at the rally.

The speakers condemned in the government move to cut down 4,000 trees at village Nahar Pan Punji near the Nahar Tea Garden in Shreemangal. They termed the government move a mockery to the indigenous peoples to destroy the trees in the indigenous peoples, while the government is continuing plantation programme across the country.

The indigenous peoples threatened to continue movement pled expressed their pledge to continue their movement against the government order until its cancellation.

It is mentionable that indigenous Khasi people have been cultivating betel leafs in their traditional punjies for generations. However, government recently ordered to cut 400 trees of Nahar Pan Punji destroying cultivation of betel leaf (Pan) which is only source of income of indigenous Khasi people.

25th Death Anniversary of M N Larma observed in Dhaka and CHT

On 10 November 2008 National Committee on Celebration of 25th Death Anniversary of Manabendra Narayan Larma organised half-day programme to mark 25th death anniversary Manabendra Narayan Larma, pioneer of the indigenous Jumma peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts and former Member of Parliament at National Press Club in Dhaka. The programmes include placing flowers at the portrait of MN Larma, memorial meeting, reciting poetry, lighting and cultural programme.

Presided by eminent academic Prof. Kabir Chowdhury, the memorial meeting was discussed by eminent teacher of Dhaka University Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury, President of Communist Party of Bangladesh Manjurul Ahsan Khan, presidium member of Gono Forum Pankaj Bhattacharja, politburo member of Workers Party Haider Akbar Khan Rano, teacher of Dhaka University Prof Sadeka Halim, eminent columnist Abul Moksud, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon (BAOA) Prof. Mesbah Kamal, executive director of Nijera Kori and human rights activist Ms. Kushi Kabir, information and publicity secretary of PCJSS Mangal Kumar Chakma and secretary general of Bangladesh Indigenpus Peopels Forum Sanjeeb Drong. Member secretary of National Committee Prof. Ajoy Roy delivered welcome speech while Journalist Kamal Lohani delivered the MN Larma memorial lecture at the programme. Discussion was moderated by Associate Professor Robayet Ferdous of Dhaka University and editor of Mqwrum Mr. Dipayan Khisa. Among others, Former adviser to the caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal, eminent writer Selina Hossain, Prof Dalem Chandra Barman of Dhaka University, president of BAOA Prof. H K S Arefin, eminent human rights activist Ms. Rosaline Costa, executive director of ALRD Shamsul Huda and attended the programme.

Participants including academics, politicians and rights activists at a commemorative meeting paid rich tributes to M N Larma. Speakers said that M N Larma was not only a leader of the ethnic minority communities but also a leader of all those who were denied their rights as he represented their voice. He had dedicated himself to establishing the rights of deprived people whoever they may be a member of indigenous ethnic community or a mainstream Bengali people.

Prof Kabir Chowdhury said M N Larma was not only the best leader of hills people but also the leader of all deprived people. He was a man whose name still inspired the younger generation years after his death. The killers thought they would wipe out his name from history. But the reality is different. He is remembered by all. But people pronounce the names of his killers with extreme hatred.

Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury said that we could not yet achieve the freedom we wanted and M N Larma dreamt of, because we could not try the war criminals and recognise the ethnic minority people. The non-recognition of the indigenous peoples in the constitution proves that Bangladesh is yet to become a democratic country. He said the country needed a united struggle to realise the dream of M N Larma, the dream of the people as a whole.

Before the discussion, different organisations namely National Committee on Celebration of 25th Death Anniversary of Manabendra Narayan Larma, PCJSS, BASAD, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Gono Forum, Workers' Party, BAOA, Hill Students' Council (PCP), BISAF, HWF, Indigenous Students of Dhaka College, BAGACHAS, GIMA, Hill Students' Hostel, Biplobi Workers' Party including academics, media workers and rights activists placed flowers at the portrait of MN Larma. The memorial meeting was followed by lighting at the portrait of MN Larma and cultural programme performed by indigenous artists and Udichi Shilpigosthi. National Committee also published a booklet and a poster.

Demands of National Committee: Earlier on 8 November 2008 National Committee, in a press conference held at Dhaka Reporter's Unity, put forward a charter of demands to the government, which includes renaming of the Chittagong-Rangamati Road after Manabendra Larma, setting up of his statue in either Dhaka or Chittagong and inclusion of his life sketch in national curriculum.

In CHT: PCJSS observed the 25th Death Anniversary of M N Larma in three hill district headquarters in CHT on 10 November. The programmes on this occasion include placing flower-wreaths at the portrait of MN Larma early in the morning, lighting and soaring of paper-balloon at the evening. President of PCJSS Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma paid tribute in Rangamati.

BCABA: Congratulates to Mr. Barack Obama

2008-11-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Dated: 11/06/2008

Your Excellency Mr. Barack Obama

Congratulation!!

We, the members of the indigenous peoples migrated from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh; congratulate you from the core of our hearts on your historic victory in the election for the presidency of the United States of America.

We only hope that the USA and the world will prosper with loving kindness, racial harmony, religious tolerance and regional cooperation under your brilliant, constructive and dynamic leadership of the 21st century.

May Lord Buddha Bless you!
May Lord Buddha Bless the United States of America!

Kirti Ranjan Chakma
President

Kapaeeng Watch News Release on situation of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh: 29 October 2008

2008-10-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

'Punish rapists of indigenous women'

The Daily Star, 14 October 2008

Hundreds of indigenous people from Kalmakanda and Durgapur upazilas in Netrakona district yesterday formed a human chain in front of the office of Kalmakanda upazila nirbahi officer demanding punishment of two persons for raping indigenous women.

Two cases were filed with Kalmakanda Police Station on September 20 and October 11 against Jamal Mia of Baluchara village and Amir Hamza of Jigatola village for raping two indigenous women on September 19 and October 10, said police and indigenous leaders.

After the human chain organised by local NGO Sarbik Manab Unnayan Sangathan, indigenous leaders submitted a memorandum to Kalmakanda UNO. Police failed to arrest the accused of the two cases although they are seen moving in the area, said the memorandum to UNO.

Indiscriminate felling of trees at Khashia Punji protested

The Daily Star, 24 October 2008

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF) yesterday formed a human chain at TSC intersection on the Dhaka University campus protesting the indiscriminate cutting down of trees at Khashia Punji in Moulvibazar.

Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmed said wholesale cutting down of trees at Khashia Punji not only poses a threat to the environment, but also it is an issue of justice. The environment, biodiversity and livelihood of the local indigenous people are facing threats due to such type of whimsical act of the government, he added. Prof Ahmed said the government decision would put questions to the future national plan to face the impacts of climate change. At the programme, he called on the government to be careful not to take such decision immediately.

The speakers said a huge number of trees have already been cut down as part of chopping down 4,000 trees in Khashia Pan Punji at Nahar Tea Garden at Srimangal and process of felling down more trees underway. They placed a five-point demand, including immediate halt to cutting down of trees and their sale and stop taking tax from the local indigenous people. The speakers said though only 864.58 acres of land is registered with the tea garden, it is using more than 1200 acres of land.

Though the news of corruption by the local official of forest departments is published in the media, they are still cutting down trees indiscriminately, they added.

Cremation ground of indigenous people grabbed

The Daily Star, 26 October 2008

Fifty-two indigenous families in Naogaon yesterday demanded stern actions against a group of local influential people for trying to grab their cremation ground at Sonapur village through fake documents. The Santal and Oraw families yesterday made the demand at a press conference at the Metropolitan Press Club in Naogaon.

The indigenous people have been using about 0.19 acres of land as their cremation ground at Sonapur village of Manda upazila for over a century. But recently a group of local influential people including Rakib Pramanik and Rafiqul Pramanik are trying to grab the cremation ground, they alleged. They were barred from cremating bodies there and also received death threats from the influential group, the indigenous people alleged. They said the henchmen of the influential group also attacked them in September when they went to the cremation ground carrying a deceased member of their community.

Later, Ranjit Oraw, president of Lahanti Akra Forum, an organisation of indigenous people, handed over a written complaint to Manda Upazila Nirbahi Office (UNO) Bipul Chandra Biswas at the latter's office. The UNO asked the land office to investigate the allegations and submit report to him, they said. But the land office is yet to submit the report.

The indigenous families also alleged that the influential people have managed fake documents and are trying to evict them from their 3.42 acres of khas land and 3.43 acres of khas pond they leased from the authorities concerned at Borambari village of Niamatpur upazila. They also alleged that instead of taking actions against the influential people the police are harassing the indigenous people.

Lahanti Akra Forum President Ranjit Oraw, Bangapal Sardar, Bhulu Mahto, Noresh Kujur, Romesh Tropo, Fulchan Oraw, Mongol Oraw, Tuku Hasda and Bimol Murmu were also present.

Political parties urged to include indigenous peoples' issues in their election manifestos

On 25 September 2008 Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Anlodon (BAOA), a support group of civic forum for indigenous peoples, called upon the political parties to include indigenous people's concerns in their manifestos for the December 18 parliamentary polls.

In a written statement read out at the press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity, General Secretary of BAOA and also professor of Dhaka University Mr. Mesbah Kamal said that the state of indigenous people, especially those who live in plain lands, is vulnerable and they need special attention from all the parties to survive. He placed a 15-point charter of demands of the indigenous people for consideration of political parties.

The demands included constitutional recognition of the indigenous people, implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord, education in their respective mother languages, returning back their land through immediate functioning of the CHT Land Dispute Settlement Commission, separate land commission for plain land indigenous people to preserve their cultural and religious identities, canceling of eco-park project on indigenous peoples' areas, reservation seat for indigenous peoples at parliament and local government bodies, taking special measures for security of indigenous women, special census to determine the actual number of indigenous people in the country. BAOA also urged the government to ensure safety of the ethnic minority groups during and after the general elections.

Mong Raja Prue Chy cremated

The Daily Star, 28 October 2008

The cremation ceremony of late Mong Raja Paihala Prue Chowdhury was held yesterday in Khagrachhari. Hundreds of people started to gather at the residence of the late Mong Raja at Madhubazar (zero mile) in the hill district from the morning to pay homage to him. He was cremated at 3:00pm amid blasting of firecrackers after his personal security forces gave him a guard of honour. His son Saching Prue Chowdhury first set off firecrackers to start the cremation as per the Mong ritual.

Later, Khagrachhari District Council Chairman Manindra Lal Tripura, Rangamati District Council Chairman Jagotjyoti Chakma, Bandarban District Council Chairman Prof Thansama Lusai, Lt Col Samad Chowdhury on behalf of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and CHT Chief Coordinator of UNDP Robert Stalman also set off firecrackers.

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Quaiumuzzaman Khan, Deputy Commissioner AKM Khairul Alam, Khagrachhari Municipality Mayor Joynal Abedin, and Bangladesh Marma Sanghati Oikya Parishad President Kongchari Master, among others, were present.

Paihala Prue Chowdhury was killed on October 22 in a road accident at Patachhara near Ramgarh in Khagrachhari. All educational institutions in Khagrachhari remained closed yesterday to show respect to the deceased king. Crown Prince Saching Prue Chowdhury delivered a speech prior to the cremation.

"The Raja had always worked for the welfare of the people and was concerned about their socio-economic development," he said adding that his father had repeatedly requested the government and various non-government organisations to take up development projects in the hill tracts.

Paihala Prue Chowdhury, who was the 7th Mong king, is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. After the death of the then Mong king and his uncle Neuprue Sain Chowdhury in 1984, the government recognised Paihala Prue as Neuprue's nominee, local sources said.

Paihala was working as the district information officer at that time. He became the Mong Circle Chief, locally known as Mong Raja, in 1991. The government recognised him as the Mong Raja after he won a legal battle with Unika Devi, the stepdaughter of Neuprue Sain, in 1998.

Reforms in land commission law soon: Debashish

The Daily Star, 28 October 2008

Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Raja Debashish Roy at a consultation yesterday said the government is working to bring some reforms in land commission law in a month or two.

Debashish Roy, also in-charge of CHT and environment and forest ministries, was speaking as the chief guest at the consultation on 'Collective action on indigenous issues' at Biam auditorium in the city. The reforms would reflect some aspirations of the indigenous people, he added. The special assistant "The CHT Commission should be implemented. If so, the possibility of a separate national commission for the indigenous people could also be discussed." Debashish said one of the commissioners of the newly formed Human Rights Commission could be engaged for the indigenous people.

The consultation, jointly organised by Research and Development Collective (RDC) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), was presided over by Justice Gholam Rabbani.

Speakers at the consultation underscored the need for forming a national commission for the indigenous people of the country to overcome their problems. They called on the political parties to include the issue of the indigenous people in their election manifestos and allocate reserved seats for them in the parliament and all the local bodies of representatives to ensure their participation in their own development. They said the non-implementation of the CHT Treaty is a problem of the indigenous people and the government should take steps to implement it.

RDC General Secretary Prof Mesbah Kamal presented a keynote paper at the consultation. He said representation of the indigenous people at the national, regional and local levels should be ensured, adding that non-recognition of the indigenous people in the constitution and land-related problems are their main problems.

Gholam Rabbani said it is illegal to discriminate the indigenous people on grounds of race, sex or religions in this independent country. They also participated in the country's liberation war.

Ex-additional secretary ASM Mobaidul Haque, VSO Country Director Shahana Hayat, VSO Programme Officer Mahtabul Hakim, Bangladesh Adivasi Parishad Chairperson Anil Marandi and Danida Human Rights and Good Governance of Programme Officer Kirti Nishan Chakma.

Regional consultation on ILO Convention 107 held in Mymensingh & Sreemangal

On 28 October 2008 ILO Dhaka office and Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum organized a regional consultation meeting on ILO Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957 (No. 107). Raja Devasish Roy, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor for CHT Affairs Ministry and Forest and Environment Ministry was present as chief guest in the consultation meeting while Director of ILO Dhaka Panudda Boonpala, ADC (general) of Mymensingh District Administration Md. Mohsin, former member of parliament and indigenous leader Mr. Promod Mankin, Divisional Forest Officer Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Father Joseph Gomes, Mayor of Mymensingh Municipality Advocate Mahamud Al Nur Tarek, Programme Officer of DANIDA Mr. Kirti Nishan Chakma, representative of Oxfam-GB Mr. Soikot Biswas, Vice President of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Mr. James Barendrong, Regional Director of Caritas of Mymensingh office Mr. Theophil Nokrek and a good number of indigenous leaders and activist from different localities of greater Mymensingh region were present in this day long event. The sessions were presided over by Bishop Ponen Kubi and Ajoy A Mree respectively while Mr. Sanjeeb Drong moderated in all sessions.

In the morning session, General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Mr. Sanjeeb Drong presented keynote paper on ILO Convention 107 and situation of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh, Sub-regional Coordinator on Indigenous and Tribal Issues of ILO Office in Delhi Ms. Sarah Webster explained aims and objectives and overview of PRO 169 activities in Bangladesh and International Labour Standadrds Specialist of Delhi ILO Dellhi Mr. Cuan Kompier spoke on 'ILO and tribal and indigenous peoples: what ILO Conventions can do?'.

In his speech Raja Devasish said that the ILO has the only mandate within the UN system to work specially on indigenous and tribal peoples' issues. The Government of Bangladesh ratified the ILO Convention (No. 107) on Indigenous and Tribal Populations in 1972 but yet to formulate any national policy in favor of it. For establishing rights according to the ILO Convention No.107, indigenous peoples should do lobby in national and international level.

Speakers of the consultation said that Convention No. 107 is a broad development instrument, covering a wide range of issues such as land, recruitment and conditions of employment, vocational training, handicrafts and rural industries, social security, health and education. But still the indigenous peoples of Bangladesh are not getting their rights according to the convention. They all urged to government to formulate all concerned national policies according to ILO Convention No. 107. At the end of the day, the meeting adopted a good number of recommendations

Earlier, on 26 October 2008 another regional consultation was held in Sreemangal under Moulvibazar district. Information and Publicity Secretary of PCJSS Mr. Mangal Kumar Chakma presented keynote paper on ILO Convention 107 and situation of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh. Inaugural session was presided over by Headman and Khasi leader Mr. Pidision Prodhan Suchiang while other two working session were presided over by Rev. Father Joseph Gomes, OMI, Justice and Peace Ministry and Manipuri leader Mr. Ananda Mohan Sinha. Among others, tea community leader Mr. Pankaj Kundu, Khasi women leader Ms. Flora Bably Talang, Manipuni women leader Ms. Bibha Sinha, Banidace Kongla spoke in the consultation as panel discussant.

Speakers of this consultation raised issues of eviction of Khasi peoples from their traditional Pan Punjies, harassment of Forest Department, lack of adequate marketing facilities of betel leafs, destruction of forest of bio-diversity by Shevron, lack of proper implementation of East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950, non-recognition of rights of tea estate labourers, land of traditional punjies leased out to non-IPs without free, prior and informed consent and violating customary rights, eviction of IPs through Muroichara eco-park (Kulaura), Madabkunda eco-park (Baralekha), social forestry project etc, misuse of Vested Property Act (Enemy Property Act), lack of government facilities at Pan Punjies, for example, only 5 primary schools out of 100 punjies, land settlement given only 5-7 punjies out of 100 punjies, approximately 90% Khasi peoples' land are not registered, Punjies within tea estate frequently attacked by tea estate owners for eviction, deprived of fair price of betel leafs, landslide along the boarder damages cultivable land etc.

In his keynote paper, Mangal Kumar Chakma recommended 11 points of charter. These are incluuded to ensure the constitutional recognition of IPs; recognise collective and individual rights of IPs over land and natural resources, customs and traditions etc; and to return back their land and homestead; ensure rights to self-determination of IPs including implementation of CHT Accord in letter and spirits and international conventions; ensure full and effective participation of IPs including decision-making level in the development activities; include a subject of IPs' rights in the PATC training for BCS officers; reserve seat for IPs in parliament and local govt bodies; initiate mechanism to access Expert Committee meeting by IPs; make aware political leaders, intelligentsia and bureaucrats for sensitization on human rights and fundamental freedoms of IPs; sensitize Bangladesh Country Office for undertaking advocacy programmes for implementation of ILO C107; initiate special vocational training programme for IPs and undertake inter-govt initiative to combat climate change including landslide in IP territory.

Meeting between PCJSS and Election Commission held

On 29 October 2008 a meeting on registration of PCJSS and forthcoming parliamentary election between PCJSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti), a political party of indigenous Jumma peoples in CHT and Bangladesh Election Commission was held at office of Chief Election Commissioner.

PCJSS president Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma led the PCJSS delegation and other members of the delegation were central member Mr. Goutam Kumar Chakma, political affairs secretary Mr. Ushatan Talukdar and Information and Publicity Secretary Mr. Mangal Kumar Chakma. On the other, Chief Election Commissioner Dr A T M Shamsul Huda led the EC team while other two election commissioners Mr. Chahul Hossain and Brig. Gen. Shakhawat Hossain were present in the meeting.

Mr. J B Larma raised the issue of registration of PCJSS with Election Commission as a political party considering distinct socio-political, cultural and historical background of the indigenous Jumma peoples and CHT region. He also urged the Election Commission to give special attention on forthcoming parliamentary election particularly for CHT region for free, fair and neutral election and to take initiative to holding Hill District Councils' election.

Chief Election Commission said that they would look into the matter as per rules and regulations.

Army camp grabs 20 acres, evicts 3 families in Harinathpara

2008-10-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

chtnews.comNews
No. 162/2008, October 28, 2008

Three Jumma families have been displaced in Harinathpara under Golabari Union of Khagrachari district after an army camp was built there in April 2007.

The camp was relocated from Jadurampara in Kamalchari to Jonglitila situated in the middle of two villages Harinathpara and Guamahat. The army ousted three Jumma families who had been living there for many years and forcibly occupied about 20 acres of land belonging to six Jummas, including those evicted.

The soldiers also destroyed their orchards and fruit threes, and cut down bamboos and other valuable trees like teak and Gamar.

The displaced have been identified as Karunamoy Chakma, aged 55, s/o Nagor Chakma, Shantimoy Chakma, aged 35, s/o Chiringya Chakma and Charu Bikash Chakma, aged 35, s/o Shobhadhan Chakma.

Karunamoy Chakma told chtnews.com that after returning from refugee camp in Tripura, India in 1997, his family had settled there with permission from the local headman, Aungkyoching Chowdhury. He had grown different kinds of fruit trees such as jackfruit, mango, litchi, orange and plum, and planted bamboo, teak and Gamar tree.

He said until he was evicted in 2007, his family had been living there without any trouble and hindrance. "I had 5 acres of land there. Now the army is using it as a helipad." he said.

Now he has built a house on a piece of land belonging to Satish Chandra Chakma in the same village.

He said "I appealed to the CO. He said 'since you are returnee refugee we will give you money' (as compensation). I don't know the CO's name. He said the land belonged to the government. I went to him couple of times. At one stage, he called me names and said 'you bustard! You will smile the other side of your face, you know, if I have you lathi-charged (caned).' Finally, I gave up on it, and asked for seven days for the house to be dismantled and shifted. He gave me five days. Now I have become completely landless, not even owning an inch of land. I have got three sons and three daughters."

Like him, Charu Bikash Chakma was also forcibly ousted from his land. His family has now moved to Akkoychara Adam, about one and a half miles from Harinathpara village.

Those interviewed said the land on which the main camp-house has been built belongs to Charu Bikash Chakma and his father. They had two houses there, but they were destroyed.

Shantimoy Chakma alleged that the army has occupied 5 acres of third class hilly land belonging to him. He had been in the possession of the land for the last 35 years.

In an interview with the chtnews.com on 10 September 2008, Mr. Chakma said "I grew teak, Gamar and banana plantation there. About one and a half months ago, an army officer from the newly built Jonglitila camp called me and said that all my land was now under the control of the army camp. He virtually told me that his camp belonged all the land that he 'surveyed in all directions'. Ten to 12 days ago, the army got the settlers to clear the area. I had some 2nd class land within these 5 acres, and I used to grow vegetables there; but I am not being allowed to do that in this season."

Satish Chandra Chakma, aged 55, s/o Nishi Kumar Chakma had two acres of third class hilly land and 15 decimal of second class land. He and his family had been living there for 50 years. Apart from bamboo, they had also grown teak, Gamar, coconut, jackfruit, orange and lemon trees. Now the whole land has been occupied by the army.

In an interview he said "I appealed to the Chairman (UP) and the Headman, but noting came out. The army cut down the trees, and then trucks load of wood logs were supplied to the Zone, but we had to watch it helplessly. When we tried to protest, they threatened us."

His brother Tarun Kanti Chakma's (36) 3 acres of land has also been occupied. "The army cut down about 100 banana trees and 50 pieces of Bajjey bamboo. I had over 100 teak and Gamar trees, which were 12 to 14 years old. Now they don't allow me to sell them away. Everything has gone." Mr. Chakma alleged.

Asked if he lodged any protest or sought redress, he said "From whom shall I seek justice? The army said 'you can go anywhere, even to our higher authority, to lodge a complaint, but we need this area.'"

A few days ago, his wife was taking a banana bunch from their orchard. But when the soldiers objected, she, out of anger and grief, cut it to pieces in front of the army men and walked away.

The army also grabbed about 2 acres of land belonging to Nayan Chakma, 35, s/o Joy Dharat Chakma. He had grown about 500 pieces of teak trees. He said "the army cut down the teak trees and built their camp with these trees. Some of logs from these trees are still kept in the camp. My land is situated to the west of the main camp."

Asked if he lodged a protest, Nayana said "What could we have done! They just came and cut down the trees in a swift manner. We asked for compensation but they refused to pay, and said all our lands would be put under the control of the camp. We were forced to break down our houses. Now I built my house anew near the old one. They (army) are kept silent about it, but I don't know how long we would be allowed to live here. A few days ago, Major Rabbi told us not to plant anything or to make fire in our own land."

Kapaeeng Watch News Release: 22 October 2008

2008-10-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

New settlement of 4 mile area of Baghaichari and Dighinala upazila

On 3 October 2008 at mid-night Bengali settlers of 4 mile area of Baghaichari upazila under Rangamati district set fire on some 10-15 houses of them and immediately informed the nearest BDR camp authority of it falsely alleging that tribal miscreants burnt down their houses. A group of BDR rushed there and found makeshifts on ablaze, but all the household belongings were intake at the outsides. The BDR authority inquired about the incident and found it a false play.

However, on 6 October 2008 Bengali settlers under the banner of Sama Odhikar Andolon (SOA), an extreme Bengali nationalist and communal organisation of Bengali Muslim settlers, brought out procession at Baghaichari upazila headquarters demanding to take necessary action against tribal people and to provide compensation to them. They also had intension to fall upon the Jumma people and their houses at the upazila headquarters. The BDR and the police prevented them from approaching towards Jumma localities. At a stage, the settler women clapped BDR and police personnel with their slippers and others felted stone. Some leaders of SOA were arrested from the spot and taken to the police station. Of them, Selim Bahari, president of the Baghaichari branch of SOA was sent to the Rangamati jail and others were set free.

It is notable that the said area of the hilly range between Kassalong valley of Baghaichari upazila of Rangamati hill district and Maini valley of Dighinala upazila and Khagrachari hill district belonged to the Jumma people of the said upazilas. Since the beginning of 2006, they cut down bushes, fired and cleared. They planted trees and fruit trees there and few of them made houses as well. As soon as state of emergency was promulgated in January 2007, the authority of Dwitila army camp under Dighinala region collected and if necessary, compelled Bengali Muslim families from Muslim Block Para of Baghaichari union of Baghaichari upazila and from Bachamarong and Betchari cluster villages of Merung union under Dighinala upazila to forcibly occupy the said area.

It is learnt that the army authority granted an amount of Taka 7,000 to each family for making hut and provided ration as well. By September 2008, around 100 makeshift were made by the Bengali Muslim settlers.

Further it is learnt that in the meantime a few families of Bengali settler families those who have cultivable land went back to their previous houses in Dighinala and Baghaichari upazilas. Many others who have good sources of income also want to return to previous locations. But the army authority is yet to allow them.

Follow-up of Bengali settlement programme in Sajek

In August 2008, Lt. Col. Sajid Imtiaz, commanding officer (CO) of Baghaihat army zone was transferred from Baghaihat zone and a new CO has been appointed there. The new CO stopped providing fund and ration to the Bengali settler families since mid-September 2008. He also ordered the settlers to give back lands to the Jumma people except the lands purchased ones in the meantime. Consequently, many families of the settlers returned to their own houses at Muslim Block Para of Baghaichari upazila and Hajachara of Dighinala upazila.

It is important to note here that Ladu Moni Chakma alias Jadu Moni of Retkaba village of Sajek union was brutally killed by Bengali settlers on 19 August 2008 and the CHT Commission raised the incident of it with the Chief Advisor Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed of Caretaker Government of Bangladesh in September 2008. In addition, the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation) submitted a report on CHT to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2008 on which Bangladesh Government is supposed to face hearing in February 2009. It is speculated that the present Caretaker Government, in order to have favourable position on the situation in Baghaihat area under Sajek union in particular, took up such a soft stance.

Judge Court grants bail for indigenous activists in Khagrachari

Very recently, newly introduced judge court in Khagrachari district granted bail to some indigenous activists. Among them, PCJSS central leader Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma got bail on 25 September 2008, PCP leader Mr. Bholash Tripura on 7 October 2008 and Anunay Chakma Manas on 14 October 2008. They all were arrested after the promulgation of state of emergency.

PCJSS member harassed by police and intelligent personnel in Khagrachari

On 18 October 2008 police of Khagrachari police station and intelligent personnel arrested PCJSS members namely Buddha Kinkar Chakma Samichin and Priti Chakma for half an hour at Khagrachari police station in charging for photocopying of the "Report of the eminent citizens' visit to Chittagong Hill Tracts". They were released after confining them for half an hour at police lockup of Khagrachari police station.

Commercial afforestation by Destiny-2000 by occupying Jumma's land in Bandarban

Destiny-2000, a multi-level marketing company in Bangladesh, undertook afforestation programme for commercial purposes in Bandarban district by purchasing lands that was leased out to non-residents of CHT. It is also alleged that Destiny also occupied private lands owned by indigenous Jumma villagers.

It is learnt that on 10 September 2008 local people droved out Destiny workers while they were cleaning land by setting fire with kerosene on existing forest and orchard owned by indigenous Jumma villagers at Chemi Dalupara area under Bandarban sadar upazila (sub-district). After driving out from there, they later tried to occupy the land owned by one Bengali permanent resident named A K M Jahangir. Following this incident, complain has been lodged with the headman court.

Khiyang Adivasi leader Mr. Bachha Khyang, Karbari of Chemi Dalu Para Mr. Achhomong and villager of Gungurumuk Para Mr. Chinghla Khiyang said that they opposed the workers of Destiny when they came to occupy their lands. A Bengali resident Mr. Jahangir also alleged that the workers of Destiny occupied and set fire a portion of his orchard. Contractor of Destiny who is involved in afforestation confessed ablaze of a portion of Jahangir's orchard.

It is worth mentioning that CHT Peace Accord signed in 1997 between the government of Bangladesh and indigenous people's political party PCJSS stipulates, "Out of the lands allotted to non-tribal and non-local persons for rubber and other plantations, the lease (allocation) in respect of the lands of those who did not undertake any project during the last ten years or did not properly utilize the lands shall be cancelled." It is also mentionable that al most all the leases were not utilized. However, though eleven have passed after signing of the Accord, no allotment (lease) has yet been cancelled.

Indigenous people demand constitutional recognition

The Daily Star, 21 October 2008, RU Correspondent

Indigenous leaders at a convention yesterday demanded their constitutional recognition and ensuring their rights to their mother tongue, culture and land. They also demanded formation of a separate land commission for them and introduction of primary education in their mother tongue.

The First Convention of the Adivasi Chhatra Parishad (ACP) was held at the Rajshahi Zila Parishad auditorium. Eminent litterateur Prof Hassan Azizul Haque inaugurated the two-day convention that was attended by Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Raja Debashish Roy as the chief guest. Harendra Nath Sing, convener of Adivasi Chhatra Parishad (ACP), presided over the programme.

Prof Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University, Prof Dr Sujit Sarker, Prof Mahmudul Hassan of Rajshahi University, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad President Anil Marandi, General Secretary Rabindranath Saran, Rajshahi district president Bimal Chandra Rajwar, Hiran Mitra Chakma, central secretary of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, student leader Pavel Partha and Debashish Pramanik Debu spoke on the occasion.

Debashish Roy said that the country's indigenous community played a vital role in different democratic movements, including the Language Movement and the liberation war. However, they are still deprived of their rights, he observed. He assured that he would discuss with the government to preserve their rights.

While reading out a written statement, ACP Joint Convener Manik Saran placed a 10-point demand. The demands include five percent quota for the indigenous people in educational institutions and government services, introducing the indigenous children's mother tongue as the medium of their primary education, including indigenous language at university language department, establishing indigenous education, culture and research centre in every educational institutions, launching indigenous students' scholarship, construct indigenous students dormitories in all educational institutions and appoint indigenous teachers at indigenous primary school.

Earlier, ACP brought out a colourful rally that paraded different city streets.

Unite to realise constitutional rights of indigenous people- Shantu Larma urges students

The Daily Star, 22 October 2008

It is the time for the students of indigenous community to get united to realise their constitutional and basic rights, said Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma alias Shantu Larma, chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council, yesterday.

At a freshers' reception at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University, he said members of the indigenous community are deprived of their constitutional rights and victims of harassment and suppression.

The reception was organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad to receive all indigenous students who were admitted to different educational institutions including Dhaka University in the city this year.

Speaking as chief guest at the programme, Shantu Larma said, "We the members of indigenous community should continue our fight against communalism alongside our efforts to establish a democratic and progressive state," he added. Criticising the country's higher education system he said it helps students become communal instead of democratic and progressive.

Dr Harun-ur-Rashid, dean of social science faculty, who attended the programme as special guest, said to ensure higher education of the indigenous students Dhaka University fixed one percent admission quota for them from this year.

"All political parties should make their stand clear about the rights of indigenous people in their political manifestos," said Prof Mezbah Kamal of history department.

He also criticised the caretaker government for holding a meeting with Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid.

Criticising the deployment of military in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Prof Sadeka Halim of sociology department said the government should withdraw them from the area as local administration is there to control the law and order situation.

The programme was also addressed by Prof Mohammad Samad of Social Welfare Institute, Robaet Ferdous, associate professor of mass communication and journalism department, and Sanjib Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Adibashi Forum.

Medical concern/Torture/Legal concern

2008-09-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 13/003/2008
26 September 2008
UA 276/08

Medical concern/Torture/Legal concern

BANGLADESH

Rang Lai Mro (m), indigenous community leader

Indigenous community leader Rang Lai Mro, who is serving a jail sentence imposed after an unfair trial, is being refused medical treatment for a serious heart condition. He is the head of a community of indigenous Mro people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), in the south-east of the country, and is held in Chittagong District Jail. He is at risk of having a heart attack any time.

He was arrested in February 2007, charged with possessing a pistol without a license. Four months later he was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for the offence, though his lawyers had produced evidence in court that his pistol was licensed. His lawyers have since claimed that they were not allowed to produce any witnesses at the trial. He is believed to have been targeted because, as the head of a local NGO, Mrochet, working to improve the facilities available to the Mro people in the region, he had protested to the army about the security forces' December 2006 efforts to evict hundreds of Mro families to make way for an army training centre in a remote part of the Bandarban Hill District. According to his lawyer, he had been preparing a petition for the authorities about the situation of Mro people in the area, and the army's action in driving them out of their homes.

After his arrest he was severely beaten by army officers in custody at the local army headquarters, Bandarban Cantonment. This torture has never been investigated. He had to be treated in Bandarban General Hospital, where doctors found he had suffered a heart attack. He was sent back to jail without appropriate medical treatment. In October 2007 his health further deteriorated , and he had to be treated in hospital, where doctors said he needed treatment in a hospital with better equipment, but he was once more sent back to jail, without any improvement in his health.. He still has not received appropriate medical treatment for his heart condition and other medical complications, and his health continues to deterioratee.

The government has transferred over a dozen prisoners needing specialist attention to well-equipped hospitals so far this year, but Rang Lai Mro has not been one of them. Some of these prisoners have even been allowed to go abroad for treatment.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The present government is a caretaker administration in Bangladesh backed by the army. Army personnel have been involved in arbitrary arrests, torture and deaths in custody, but enjoy a climate of impunity. The CHT borders Myanmar and India, and is home to 13 indigenous tribes, including the Mro. The government has been attempting to settle non-tribal Bengalis in the region since the early 1970s, which led to armed resistance in the mid-1970s. A peace accord signed in 1997 ended the armed conflict, but the CHT has remained heavily militarized.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Bangla or your own language:
- expressing concern that imprisoned Indigenous community leader Rang Lai Mro has a serious heart condition which requires immediate and sustained medical management, and that the authorities have failed to provide him with this treatment;
- urging the authorities to allow Rang Lai Mro to receive appropriate medical attention in a hospital equipped to provide specialist treatment for his heart condition;
- expressing concern that he has been tortured, and is at risk of further torture;
- urging the authorities to order investigation by an independent, impartial and competent body to on the torture of Rang Lai Mro and the authorities' negligence of his deteriorating health, and bring those responsible to justice.

APPEALS TO (Time difference = GMT + 6 hrs / BST + 5 hrs):
Prime minister (equivalent)
Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Adviser
Office of the Chief Adviser, Bangladesh
Fax: 00880 2 8113243
Email: info@pmo.gov.bd
[Salutation: Dear Chief Adviser]

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs
Raja Debashish Roy
Building No. 4, 6th Floor
Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Email: devasish59@yahoo.com
[Salutation: Dear Mr Roy]

Adviser to the Chief Adviser
Dr ASM Matiur Rahman
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Bangladesh Secretariat
Building No. 2, 3rd floor
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Fax: 00880 2 7169077
00880 2 9571301
E-mail: minister@bd.com
[Salutation: Dear Dr Rahman]

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Mr. Sabihuddin Ahmed, High Commission for the People's Republic of Bangladesh,
28 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5JA.
Fax: 020 7225 2130
Email: bdesh.lon@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.bangladeshhighcommission.org.uk

AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
Bangladesh Medical Association
Dr M. A. Hadi, President
BMA Bhaban 5/2 Topkhana Road
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Fax: 00880 2 9566060
00880 2 9562527
E-mail: bma@aitlbd.net

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY

PCP Press Release on International Religious Freedom Report

2008-09-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Students' Council (PCP), an organisation of indigenous Jumma students working for rights of indigenous Jumma people, is concerned with the International Religious Freedom Report 2008 on Bangladesh published by US State Department on 19 September 2008 .

It is very astonishing that the International Religious Freedom Report 2008 does not include any incident on religious persecution on indigenous Jumma people, though there are huge religious persecutions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) committed by the military forces,
Bengali Muslim settlers and local government administration. Rather, the report includes a segregated incident that says, "Members of a banned insurgent group called Shanti Bahini in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) attacked Chengko Marma, a member of CLB′s community awareness team in Khagrachhari Hill District on September 6, 2007 ." In fact, there is no more "Shanti Bahini" after signing of the CHT Peace Accord. It was abolished soon after the signing of the Accord by the PCJSS.

It is worth mentioning that religious persecution is common in the CHT. Buddhist monks are often harassed and assaulted and their places of worship come under frequent attack. For example, on 5 November 2007 Major Qamruzzaman, commander of Babuchara zone, called Sneha Moy Chakma and Santosh Jibon Chakma to his camp and ordered them not to use loudspeaker for public announcement of the Katin Chivor Danotsav, the biggest religious festival in CHT. The Major gave no reason for the whimsical embargo, but added that he would allow using loudspeakers only if they could show written permission from the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district in this regard.

On 13 August 2007 the Bengali Muslim settlers from cluster villages of Dighinala and adjacent upazilas in Khagrachari district directly guided by army troops from Dighinala cantonment of Khagrachari region cleared bushes and made some makeshift at Sadhana area of Babuchara.
The said area covering about 300 acres of land has been inhabited by 150 families of Buddhist indigenous Jumma people and a Buddhist Meditation Center named Sadhana Tila Bana Vihar.

Despites continuation of illegal Bengali settlement in Mahalchari upazila in Khagrachari district, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Mahalchari Md. Abdul Matin has issued a public notice on 12 September 2007 prohibiting construction of new religious institutions without prior permission of the authorities concerned. Although the prohibitory measure is applicable to all the three major religious places of worship in CHT, it is to restrict the practice of religions other than Islam and to facilitate further expansion of illegal Bengali settlement in CHT.

On 6 August 2006 a Buddhist temple of Challyatali village under Longadu upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district was destroyed by a group of Bengali settlers from Challyatali mouza led by Rafique Uddin s/o Abdul Barek with an aim to occupy the land of indigenous Jumma people. The Jumma villagers put objection to the UNO (upazila executive officer) against Mr. Rafique Uddin and his gang, but no culprit was arrested so far.

On 17 July a group of army personnel led by Captain Raihan of Shuknachari camp commander raided "Bhujuli Bhavana Kendra", a Buddhist meditation centre, situated on remote Bhujulichuk hill-top in Lakshmichari upazila under Khagrachari district, destroyed the prayer hall and took two Buddhist novices and their attendant to the camp.

--
CHT Hill Students Council (PCP)

Kapaeeng Watch News Release on Land Dispossession of IPs in Bangladesh: 21 September 2008

2008-09-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

Indigenous village attacked by land grabbers in Sirajganj

A group of land grabbers made an attack on the village of indigenous people to occupy a pond at Tarashe in Sirajganj. At least 20 indigenous villagers including 12 women were injured in this attack.

It is learnt that a dispute regarding ownership of a pond covering around 10 acres between Grameen Bank, a micro-credit-based NGO and one non-indigenous person named Lebu is under trial at the high court. 200 families of indigenous people have been living at the banks of this pond for generations. However, on that day, Mr. Lebu incited a group of miscreants to attack the indigenous village in order to evict indigenous villagers for occupying the pond and its adjacent banks. In this attack, at least 20 villagers including Jalo, Budhan Sing, Kanti, Saneka, Behula, Simita, Dipali, Sauda, Shakha Rani, Borni, Sakumar Sing, Shashti, Subhab, Basala, Gopal were wounded. It is also alleged that the miscreants also looted the valuables of the houses.

Please visit Bengali daily "Samakal" internet edition for details: http://www.shamokal.com/archive.details.php?nd=2008-09-16&nid=97776

Commercial afforestation by Destiny-2000 by occupying IP's land in Bandarban

Destiny-2000, a multi-level marketing company in Bangladesh, undertaked afforestation programme for commercial purposes in Bandarban district by purchasing lands that was leased out to non-residents of CHT. It is also alleged that Destiny also occupied private lands owned by indigenous Jumma villagers.

It is learnt that on 10 September 2008 local people droved out Destiny workers while they were cleaning land by setting fire with kerosene on existing forest and orchard owned by indigenous Jumma villagers at Chemi Dalupara area under Bandarban sadar upazila (sub-district). After driving out from there, they later tried to occupy the land owned by one Bengali permanent resident named A K M Jahangir. Following this incident, complain has been lodged with the headman court.

Khiyang Adivasi leader Mr. Bachha Khyang, Karbari of Chemi Dalu Para Mr. Achhomong and villager of Gungurumuk Para Mr. Chinghla Khiyang said that they opposed the workers of Destiny when they came to occupy their lands. A Bengali resident Mr. Jahangir also alleged that the workers of Destiny occupied and set fire a portion of his orchard. Contractor of Destiny who is involved in afforestation confessed ablaze of a portion of Jahangir's orchard.

It is worth mentioning that CHT Peace Accord signed in 1997 between the government of Bangladesh and indigenous people's political party PCJSS stipulates, "Out of the lands allotted to non-tribal and non-local persons for rubber and other plantations, the lease (allocation) in respect of the lands of those who did not undertake any project during the last ten years or did not properly utilize the lands shall be cancelled." It is also mentionable that al most all the leases were not utilized. However, though eleven have passed after signing of the Accord, no allotment (lease) has yet been cancelled.

Please visit Bengali daily "Prothom Alo" internet edition for details: http://www.prothom-alo.com/mcat.news.details.php?nid=MTE4MzIw&mid=Mg==

(d2kltd@bijoy.net)

Garos and Kotch Adivasis are threath of Eviction in Modhupur

Report by Abima Walki from Modhupur

The 25,000 Garo Adivasis are in eviction threath for the Nishorgo project of IRG in Modhupur Forest. The Convener of Adivasi Human Rights Association (AHRA) in the meeting of Association at Dhaka opined that the Nishorgo project at Modhupur Forest would evict the said number of Adivasis. The so-called National Park declaration of Modhupur in 1962 stopped the life, tradition and culture of Adivasis. The New project would do more harm to the Adivasis of Modhupur. The project intends to revive the National Park and evict the Adivasis, Mr. Ajoy A. Mree, Chairperson of Join Shahi Adivasi Parishad at Modhupur said. It is one of the inner agenda of Forest Department, he said. The Adivasis would not accept the so-called project as it would destroy the backbone of the locality.

The elderly leader Mr. Jerome Hagidok said that 'We do not know why this type of project Government is taking here. We demand the immediate cancellation of the project. We will resist the ill initiative. If any thing happens to the poor Adivasi and locality Government and IRG will be sole responsible."

The project intends to renovate the forest, one officer of IRG said, who is not willing to spell his name. Development Forest should not harm to the Adivasis, local political leader who is not willing to say his name said.

The project will cover about 21 thousand acres of land in the area. The main objective is to regain the National Park and Reserved Forest. The Adivasis are living in the area from immemorial of time. Some say they are living here from 1350s. The lands are used by the Garo and Kotch by getting leased from the Jamider of Natore. But in 1927 Forest Act forbids the Adivasis to use the land which were the crucial period for them. The eco-park project also one of the eviction project which was not successful due to local movement. In connection to this movement and land right activities, 11 Adivasis were brutally killed by the Forest Department. Only the intention to earn some money of IRG project, Adivasi leader Mr. Anthony Sangma said. Observer says, Government plans to evict the Adivasis and maid them more insecure. In this situation there is great demand to stop this type of anti-Adivasi project. Adivasi leaders also demanded to settle the land problem permanently in Modhupur area.

Focus on indigenous people's rights, Speakers urge media at roundtable

The Daily Star, 21 September 2008

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday said the media should focus on the rights of indigenous people rather than only portraying their livelihoods and cultural activities.

Journalists have to remain objective in reporting the ethnic issues and play a proactive role in bridging the gap between the media and ethnic communities for the betterment of the hill people, they said. Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) organised the roundtable on "Bridging gap between media and ethnic communities" in Rangamati with the support from the Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh under the project "Bridging Media and Ethnicity", says a press release.

Speaking as the chief guest, UNO of Rangamati Sadar Prakash Kanti Chowdhury said journalists would have to approach to the proper persons at the government and non-governmental levels to collect the right information and then provide them to the nation. "It is the journalists who will identify the proper persons in order to collect the right information. Reporters of specific geographical areas need special facilities for their physical movement," he said and called on MRDI to take necessary initiatives in this regard.

Journalist Qurratul-Ain-Tahmina presented the keynote paper at the roundtable moderated by Shahana Huda, manager (Media & Communication) of Manusher Jonno Foundation. Hasibur Rahman, executive director of MRDI, stressed better understanding of human rights of the ethnic communities through a shared upbringing so that the media can cover appropriate and accurate news in time.

The discussants also stressed the need to portray the indigenous people in the media in a proper way and promoting their human rights through objective reporting. There are so many issues concerning their rights and the media should explore these issues, they said. They also sought greater cooperation from the media in addressing the genuine needs of the hill people through detailed and investigative reporting.

The journalists who were present at the roundtable said they need adequate and reliable sources of information for reporting the issues of ethnic communities. They also suggested that indigenous people should have greater representation in the media so that their issues can be properly highlighted in the media. Twenty-two community/NGO representatives, governmental officials and journalists took part in the roundtable.

United States Repartment; International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Bangladesh

2008-09-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

International Religious Freedom Report 2008
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

The Constitution establishes Islam as the state religion. It provides for the right to profess, practice, or propagate all religions, subject to law, public order, and morality. It also states that every religious community or denomination has the right to establish, maintain, and manage its religious institutions. While the Government publicly supported freedom of religion, attacks on religious and ethnic minorities continued to be a problem during the reporting period. As opposed to previous reporting periods, there were no reported demonstrations or attempt to lay siege to Ahmadiyya institutions, but there were instances of harassment. Demands that Ahmadis be declared non-Muslims continued sporadically, but the Government generally acted in an effective manner to protect Ahmadis and their property. Religion exerted a significant influence on politics, and the Government was sensitive to the Islamic consciousness of most citizens> more details> http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108498.htm

Ethnic minority people's rights to land, forest demanded

2008-09-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Kapaeeng Watch News Release on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh: 8 September 2008

New Age, Dhaka, Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The ethnic minority leaders and academics at a discussion on Tuesday called upon the government to be respectful to the ethnic minority people's customary rights to land and forest resources which provide them with livelihood supports.

'They have both the spiritual and material relations with the forests, but we are not giving any recognition to them,' Sadeka Halim, a professor of sociology at Dhaka University, told the daylong workshop organised to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

She urged all concerned to allow the ethnic minority people's rights to land and forest, and seek their opinion on any development plan involving the areas where they live.

Presided over by Mesbah Kamal, general secretary of the Research and Development Collective, the workshop was addressed, among others, by H K S Arefin, a DU professor of anthropology, Sanjib Dran of Bangladesh Adivashi Forum, and Zannat e Ferdausi, director of the RDC.

The Research and Development Collective and the Voluntary Service Overseas organised the workshop at the LGED auditorium, where Bangladesh Adivashi Forum leader, Mangal Kumar Chakma and professor Ganesh Saren presented two keynote papers on the problems related to the land and forests in Chittagong Hill Tracts and plain land respectively.

Mangal Kumar Chakma's paper showed how vulnerable the ethnic minority people were now in the hills, while Gabesh Saren narrated their sufferings while living on the plain land.

They said the land of the ethnic groups was encroached upon by the influential quarters and the government and their access to the forest had shrunk with the depletion of the forest cover, declaration of new reserve forests and taking up of unsolicited development projects.

Mangal Kumar said land acquisition by the government in CHT, in the name of development, had displaced many people. With the influx of the Bengali settlers in CHT in late 19970s, the problem has been aggravated. The Bengalis also ousted many ethnic minority people from their homesteads.

He urged the government to make the land commission functional to settle the land related disputes in the areas. The commission has remained dysfunctional ever since it came into being after the signing of a deal between the government and the ethnic minority people in 1997.

The ethnic groups living on the plain land are more helpless than the people living in the hills, said Ganesh Saren.

Adivasi Odhikar Andolan executives

The Daily Star, Saturday, September 6, 2008

Prof HKS Arefin of Anthropology department of Dhaka University (DU) and Prof Mesbah Kamal of History department have been elected president and general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolan (BAOA).

The election was held at its general meeting at Teachers Students Centre (TSC) auditorium on Thursday, says a press release.

Other office-bearers are vice presidents -- language movement veteran U Suwe Rakhain, journalist Sohrab Hasan, tribal leader Nirola Tonsong and Sarwar-e-Kamal Swapan; joint secretaries -- Jannat-E-Ferdousi and Karina Hasda, organising secretary -- Rakhi Mrong, international affairs secretary -- Sohel Hajong, publicity secretary -- Joyanta Acharya, office and communication secretary -- Mazharul Islam, information and research secretary -- journalist Nazrul Kabir, cultural secretary -- journalist Soumitra Deb, education secretary -- Hiron Mitra Chakma, seminar secretary -- Pari Chingtham, finance secretary -- Manhura Begum and law secretary -- Dilara Rekha.

Indigenous people demand constitutional rights

The Daily Star, Saturday, September 6, 2008

Indigenous leaders at a meeting yesterday called on the government to give constitutional rights to the indigenous people and take steps for an end to encroachment on their lands.

Bangladesh Adivasi Union (BAU) organised the meeting at Mukti Bhaban in the city's Purana Paltan area.

Indigenous leaders from Patuakhali, Bandarban, Netrokona, Bogra, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Cox's Bazar and Dinajpur took part in the programme.

They said there is no alternative to establish a repression-free society in order to establish rights of the indigenous people, adding that they are fighting to get their constitutional rights for long.

The leaders also urged the government to protect their culture and heritage, including their traditional language, and ensure their right to land.

They called for a united effort to resist all kinds of repression against them.

The indigenous leaders at the meeting were critical of influential people who grabbed their land taking the advantage of their poverty and illiteracy.

Presided over by BAU Convener Rebeka Soren, the meeting was addressed by Khiroti Rani, Pavel Coch, Rupchand Barman, Binoy Majhi and Amin Kujur.

Ethnic minority people want education in mother tongue

New Age, Dhaka, September 6, 2008

Leaders of the ethnic minority communities, from both hill and plan land, of different districts on Friday called on the government to take necessary steps to stop occupation of land of the people in their areas.

They also urged the government to take initiative to introduce primary education system of the ethnic minority communities in their mother languages, saying that the ethnic minority people should be given their constitutional recognition.

The call came from an extended meeting of the Bangladesh Adivasi Union, held at Mukti Bhaban at Purana Paltan in Dhaka.

Chaired by Rebeka Soren, convener of the union, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Woo Soo Rey of Patuakhali, Kasa Mong of Bandarban, Amin Kujur of Naogaon, Khagendra Hajong of Netrakona, Emil Hajda of Dinajpur, Thirati Rani of Chapainawabganj, Srimati Moormo of Phulbhari and Dhirendra Nath Mahato of Bogra.

Demanding constitutional recognition of the ethnic communities, Woo Soo Rey said, 'The ethnic minority people would be deprived of their basic rights as long as a repression-free society is not established.'

The land of the indigenous people was being encroached upon in various ways. This malpractice must be stopped, he said.

The land and homesteads of the indigenous people were being occupied indiscriminately by the influential quarters across the country, the speakers said, and called upon the ethnic groups to forge a unity to realise their demands.

They also demanded introduction of a permanent rationing system for them and exemplary punishment for the killers of Alfred Soren, Satyaban Hajong, Piren Snan, Kalpona Chakma and other indigenous people.

UNPO UPR Statement: Bangladesh

2008-09-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

UNPO calls for the effective implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Afford and devolution to Jumma authorities.
The Universal Period Review (UPR) is a scheme under which the Human Rights Council of the United Nations endeavours to review the human rights records of its members. As per General Assembly resolution 60/521 of 2006:

The General Assembly, in its resolution 60/251, mandated the Council to

"undertake a universal periodic review, based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfillment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States; the review shall be a cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialogue, with the full involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to its capacity-building needs; such a mechanism shall complement and not duplicate the work of treaty bodies. "

Submissions are invited from the member state under review, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, and relevant stakeholders. The resulting reports is subsequently examined by a UPR Working Group. States under review and relevant stakeholders are then invited to respond to any questions or issues that may have arisen. The outcome of the working group and subsequent presentations is the adopted by the plenary.

As the upcoming 4th session of the Human Rights Council meeting sees Bangladesh under review, UNPO has submitted a report on behalf of UNPO Member Chittagong Hill Tracts. The report includes discussion of:

Ineffective implementation of provisions in the 1997 CHT Peace Accord
Outstanding land disputes
Problems in arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings
Ongoing religiously and politically-motivated violence faced by Jumma groups.

Click here for Statement- http://www.unpo.org/images/unpo%20-%20individual%20submission%20-%20bangladesh%20-%20upr%20aug%202008.pdf

Sources- http://www.unpo.org/content/view/8592/85/

Jumma Man Killed After Speaking Out On Land Thefts

2008-08-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Thursday, 28 August 2008, 11:16 am
Press Release: Survival International

Bangladesh: Jumma Man Killed After Speaking Out Over Land Thefts

Jumma man Ladu Moni Chakma was hacked to death on Tuesday by a group of Bengali settlers at his home in the Sajek area of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh. His wife, Shanti Bala Chakma, who was also attacked, was taken to hospital.

Local people believe that Ladu Moni Chakma was targeted because he had given information to members of the recently reformed Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Commission about settlers stealing land from the indigenous tribes of the area.

The eleven tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are collectively known as Jummas after their practice of ‘shifting cultivation’, known locally as ‘Jhum’. Hundreds of thousands of settlers have been moved into the Hill Tracts over the last sixty years, displacing the Jumma people and subjecting them to violent repression.

The Bangladesh army has recently intensified its programme to settle Bengalis in the area. In April, settlers, with the support of the military, burnt seven Jumma villages in the Sajek region after disputes over land thefts. Jumma villagers, including women and children, were beaten in the attack.

In 1997 the government and the Jummas signed a peace accord that committed the government to removing military camps from the region and to ending the theft of Jumma land by settlers and the army. The accord offered hope, but military camps remain in the Hill Tracts and violence and land grabbing continue. Abuses have escalated since the declaration of emergency rule in Bangladesh in January 2007.
The international Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC), formed in 1990, was instrumental in informing the world of the gross human rights violations taking place in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It operated until 2001. Now, the CHTC has reformed and has just undertaken a preliminary investigation in the Hill Tracts from 7-10 August 2008. The co-chairs include Vice Chair of the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group, Lord Avebury, and the eminent Bangladeshi human rights activist, Ms. Sultana Kamal. The commission called on the government to speed up the implementation of the 1997 peace accord.

ENDS
Sources- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0808/S00337.htm

PCP organises protest rally at DU campus against the killing of Ladumoni Chakma

2008-08-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

On 23 August 2008 Dhaka Metropolitan Unit of Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Students' Council (PCP) organised a demonstration at Dhaka University (DU) campus against the barbarous killing of Ladumoni Chakma alias Jadhu Moni.
[pic- dead body of Ladumuni Chakma]
It is mentionable that on 19 August 2008 at 10 p.m. a group of Bengali settlers killed Ladumoni Chakma alias Jadhu Mani chopped to death at Gangaram Mukh in Sajek under Rangamati district. His wife, Shantibala Chakma was also seriously injured while she tried to safe her husband. It is also noteworthy that during the visit of the CHT Commission in CHT from 7-10 August, Ladumoni Chakma gave valuable information about land grabbers and grabbing. Local people suspect that this is the main reason behind on his murder.

The protest rally started from Aparajeyo Bangla at DU at 10:30 a.m. a good number of students from different universities of Dhaka City joined the rally. After moving round arts building twice, the rally stopped at Aparajeyo Bangla. President of Dhaka Metropolitan Unit PCP Korunamoy Chakma presided over the meeting while Rigan Chakma, general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Unit PCP conducted the meeting. Sohel Hajong, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Students' Action Forum (BISAF), and Litus Chiran of Bangladesh Garo Students' Association (BAGACHAS) delivered solidarity speech on behalf of their respective organization. Dhaka University teachers, namely, Dr. Sourav Sikder of Linguistic Department, Robayet Ferdaus of Mass Communication and Journalism, Wahiduzzaman of Institute of Education and Research and Mohammad Samad of Social Welfare department also delivered solidarity speech in the protest. Later on Mongsingneo Marma, President of PCP central committee, expressed his concern on the present situation and demanded proper investigation and punishment of perpetrators of Ladumoni killing in his speech. Rigan Chakma put forward the following demand at the end of the meeting-

1) To conduct proper investigation of the incident and to punish Bengali settlers involved with the killing of Ladumoni Chakma.

2) To provide adequate treatment for the injured people.

3) To implement CHT Accord soon.

4) To stop fresh land grabbing by Bengali settlers

5) To withdraw all temporary army camps as per CHT Accord.

6) To form a judicial investigation committee to properly investigate all the genocide and communal attack occurred so far against hill people.

Council of PCP of CU and Ctg. Metropolitan Unit and HWF of CU held in Chittagong

On 22 August 2008 the council of Hill Student Council (PCP) of Chittagong University unit, PCP of Chittagong Metropolitan unit and Hill Women's Federation (HWF) of Chittagong University unit was held at Buddhist Foundation Auditorium in Chittagong. PCJSS representatives Ananda Joyti Chakma, Uddipan Chakma and Chironjib Chakma were present in this council. On behalf of PCP central committee, its president Mongsingneo Marma, general secretary Hiran Mitra Chakma and organizing secretary Udayan Tripura were also present. More than 150 representatives and observers have taken part in this day long council. Finally the council elected the new committees headed by the following individuals for the next 2008-2009 tenure respectively.

Chittagong University Unit PCP: Palash Tanchangya as President, Avilash Chakma as General Secretary and Ajit Chakma as Organizing Secretary.

Chittagong University Unit HWF: Eco Chakma as President, Muktasree Chakma (Swathi) as General Secretary and Paimrasong Marma as Organizing Secretary.

Chittagong Metropolitan Unit PCP: Sharat Joyti Chakma as President, Usongnue Marma as General Secretary and Ratul Chakma as Organizing Secretary

Ms. chanchana Chakma, organizing secretary of HWF Central committee and Udayan Tripura, organizing secretary of PCP Central Committee conducted the oath taking ceremony for their respective organization.

The CHT Peace Accord Keeping a Promise

2008-08-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

Sources- www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2008/08/04/interview.htm

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Commission, first formed in 1991, was disbanded after

Lord Eric Avebury
the signing of the CHT Peace Accord in the hope that the treaty would be implemented. According to Lord Eric Avebury, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, UK, however, only partial implementation occurred and primary difficulties, such as with regard to land, disputes over the possession of land and the presence of the army in the CHT continued. This led to a decision at an international conference in Copenhagen in May of this year, to re-constitute the commission. From August 6-15, the group, co-chaired by Lord Avebury and Sultana Kamal, advocate and human rights activist, visited Bangladesh and the CHT and met with different stakeholders in order to make a preliminary assessment of the situation in the Hill Tracts.
Lord Avebury talked to The Star about the committee's initial impressions about the situation.

Kajalie Shehreen Islam

The Star (TS): What was your general impression of the overall situation in the CHT?

Lord Avebury (LA): It is generally recognised that the accord has not been fully implemented and it needs to be pursued. There are problems, particularly with regard to land, disputes over the possession of land and the presence of the army in the CHT. The Land Commission, for example, is dormant, it does not do anything and one of the principal problems in the CHT is disputed ownership of land and sometimes multiple claims to an existing piece of land and there's no manner of resolving this argument. Ostensibly, now new leases of land are not being granted in the CHT but we were told that in fact that rule is not strictly applied and there have been grants of land particularly to senior officials in the previous government and to development companies which are actively involved in horticulture and rubber plantations, for example, and the allocation of the land to these corporations and in one case to an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) are at the expense of the indigenous peoples. Although people say that the CHT is grossly under-populated compared to the rest of Bangladesh (it is constantly being said that 2% of the population occupy 10% of the land), it's not all cultivable and the percentage of the land to be used for agriculture is much more limited than in the plains. You can't just look at the population, you have to consider the amount of arable land.

TS: You met with military personnel in the Hill Tracts as well as with the Chief of Army Staff in Dhaka. What did they have to say about the army presence in the CHT?

LA: We asked them why the large scale of presence of the army was necessary considering that crime is at a very low level in the CHT compared to the rest of Bangladesh and though there have been incidents of terrorism such as the abduction of aid workers this is not a common phenomenon. We put it to the army, what are the recent events that led you to believe that it is necessary to have this large-scale presence and can you tell us one such event. We were told about the discovery of a cache of arms in the forest on May 11 -- .303 rifles (antiquated weapons which were used when I was in the army 60 years ago) and .22 rifles which I think are sporting rifles used in competitions in the Olympic games and that sort of thing, so it didn't seem that was a good reason to explain the army presence. When we said that this was not particularly significant, we were told that there was large-scale infiltration across the borders from both Burma and India and smuggling of drugs across these countries which need to be prevented. When we suggested that the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) were supposed to be at the frontier the army commander told us that they didn't have sufficient resources to cope with these problems, that the scale of the smuggling of drugs and weapons across the frontiers is so significant that there needs to be army back-up.

TS: Despite the army presence, there are numerous cases of violence against the indigenous people in the hill tracts, including rape and murder. What is the army doing about such crimes?

LA: There is a difference of opinion between the indigenous people and the Bangali communities in the CHT. The Bangali communities on the whole supported the presence of the army saying they were there to protect them, while the indigenous people were entirely against it and felt intimidated by the army presence. If you ask the army, they will say they are protecting the whole population. It is constantly emphasised by members of the army that they have peacekeeping experience in foreign countries where they had to look after the interests of minority communities such as in Sarajevo and they claimed that those experiences gave them particular sympathy for the minorities which was applicable in the CHT. But the difference in the opinion of the two communities in the CHT is a source of tension between the communities which is inevitable as long as the army is present.

TS: What is the position of the political parties on the development of the indigenous communities and implementation of the Peace Accord?

LA: I must say there is a certain amount of agreement between the political parties that affirmative action in terms of raising the level of education, health and so on among the indigenous people should be the priority of every government.

With regard to the implementation of the treaty, however, the political parties have a difference of views. The Awami League (AL) believes the treaty should be implemented in full and say that if they come to power that's what they'll do. The Jamaat, on the other hand, told us that they are in favour of affirmative action to bring the level of the indigenous people to the level of the Bangali community. The parties, including Jamaat, are all strong believers in freedom of religion.

But as far as land is concerned they say that Bangladesh is a unitary state and just as an indigenous person can come and buy land in Dhaka, a person from Dhaka can go to the CHT and buy land. They don't recognise the distinction in the treaty between the right to buy or occupy land in the CHT and the rest of Bangladesh. There are international dimensions to this. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed a resolution last September on the rights of indigenous people that was ratified by a large majority of countries which represents the will of the international community. And that does recognise this distinction with regard to the occupation of land. There are quite a few countries where special land rights of the indigenous people are recognised such as of the people of the Amazon in Brazil, the aborigines in Australia, the Maori community in New Zealand, where they are given special occupation rights to large stretches of land which they historically enjoyed. There need to be territories in which indigenous people do have special occupation of land rights and that's in the '97 accord.

TS: How do you think the internal conflict between the pro-treaty Jatiyo Sanghati Samity (JSS) and anti-treaty United People's Democratic Forum (UPDF) may be resolved?

LA: The JSS and UPDF have to sit and talk, they are not committed to talking, which is one of the main problems that we face; you don't get anywhere by not talking

As for the demands, it is a matter of the people of Bangladesh. If the demands are made on top of what is provided in the treaty and seem to be excessive to the political parties and the electorate then when the matter gets put to the vote in December, they will not be accepted. The treaty, however, is not set in stone and there may be matters which have arisen since the treaty which people would agree can be added to it. For example, with regard to the Land Commission, there need to be ground rules and rules of procedure which determine the way you solve disputes; most people would agree that that would be a sensible addition to the treaty.

TS: What is the next step for the CHT Commission and what are your hopes about the overall situation in the Hill Tracts?

LA: Many problems remain to be solved but they are not insoluble. This was a preparatory visit. There will be another visit. We will not be able to make any report based on this preliminary assessment, it would be premature. We do not want to draw conclusions based on insufficient evidence. We will have to decide how we will gather further information on the situation in the CHT, which will be analysed and made into a series of recommendations which will be put to the government. The process may take months, over which period of time we will observe the trends in the CHT and whether the existing problems continue.

In every society there are differences of opinion that need to be resolved by political means. With regard to the CHT, the surprising degree of unanimity on the implementation of the accord is a very hopeful sign. The differences of opinion with regard to land, etc., can be resolved not to the satisfaction of every individual but at least in terms of the majority and it'll be interesting to see in the forthcoming elections whether this is a matter of discussion. More than the caretaker government, change in the CHT will depend on the political government which comes to power. We should not ignore the unity of the commitment on the full implementation of the accord.

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2008

BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!

2008-08-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

One Jumma villager killed by Bengali settlers in Sajek

On 19 August 2008 a group of Bengali settlers made an attack on the house of Jadhu Mani Chakma (45) s/o Kusum Kumar Chakma of Gangaram Mukh of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. Jadhu Mani Chakma was chopped to death in this attack.

It is learnt that on that day around 10.00 p.m. a group of Bengali settlers led by Jahar Ali s/o Asaniya Ali encircled the house of Jadhu Mani Chakma and then chopped Jadhu Mani Chakma and his wife Shanti Bala Chakma (35) in front of the house. Jadhu Mani Chakma was killed while his wife Shanti Bala Chakma got admitted at Khagrachari sadar hospital. It is also reported that during the visit of the CHT Commission, Jadhu Mohan gave valuable information about land grabbers and grabbing. Local people suspect that this is the main reason behind on his murder.

Another two culprits were identified as Md. Noor Alam s/o Julfu Mia and Md. Ali s/o Nasar Ali helped Jahar Ali.

It is mentionable that military forces undertook programme to settle down Bengali settlers along the road side of Baghaihat-Sajek road evicting indigenous Jumma villagers. Bengali settlers with the help of military forces burnt to ashes 7 Jumma villages in Sajek on 20 April to occupy Jumma villagers' land. Very recently on 9 August, Hriday Ranjan Chakma (70) s/o Ramani Mohan Chakma was also chopped by Bengali settlers just after the visit of CHT Commission at this area.

Reported by Kapaeeng Watch

Continued tension in Sajek: One Jumma Killed

2008-08-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

The illegal settlers last night kidnapped and murdered a Jumma villager in Sajek under Rangamati district. The incident comes barely nine days after a settler attack on the village of Gangaram Mukh in the area.

Sources from Khagrachari said a group of about 35 illegal settlers backed by army personnel from Baghaihat zone raided the house Jadu Moni Chakma, 55, in the village of Retkaba Doar at about 9:30 p.m. and forced him out at dagger's point.

Three of the settlers, with their faces under cover, entered the house while the others remained outside. At some distance, there were a few dozen army personnel providing protection to them.

Jadu Moni Chakma's wife was hurt when the settlers hit her with a sharp knife.

His dead body was recovered in the morning today from a place barely 40 - 45 yards from ECB army camp at Gangaram Doar. The army immediately seized the dead body and sent it to Khagrachari hospital.

Our correspondent from Khagrachari said the army personnel had cordoned off the hospital, and no Jumma had been allowed to enter it.

HWF leader Rina Dewan said "we went to see the dead body, but the army refused to allow us in."

General Secretary of the Democratic Youth Forum, Mithun Chakma, who contacted some of the villagers in Sajek after the incident, quoted eyewitnesses as saying that there were cut marks all over the body of the victim.

According to him some of the attackers have been identified as Mohammad Ali, 28, s/o Nachor Ali; Dulal, 24, s/o Noor Alam; Nurul Alam, 24, s/o Jolpu Mian and husband of Mohammad Ali's sister.

Quoting the villagers, the DYF leader further said a few days ago, these settlers had built houses on the land of Jadu Moni Chakma, but the Jummas had dismantled them.

The Hill Students Council, Hill Women's Federation and Democratic Youth Forum are scheduled to hold a protest rally on Dhaka University campus tomorrow.

chtnews.com
News No. 140/2008, August 20, 2008

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

2008-08-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

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.

Kapaeeng Watch News Release on situation of IPs in Bangladesh: 31 July 2008

2008-08-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Report on Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh

PCMS and HWF organise roundtable on national women dev policy and indigenous women's rights

On 18 July 2008 Parbatya Chattagram Mahila Samiti (PCMS) and Hill Women's Federation (HWF) jointly organised roundtable conference on national women development policy and indigenous women's rights at VIP Lounge of national press club in Dhaka. Presided over by vice president of PCMS Ms. Jyotiprova Larma, the roundtable was attended by president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Aiyesha Khanam, general secretary of Bangladesh Economics Association Abul Barakat, Dhaka University teacher Dr. Sadek Halim and Dr. Meghna Guhathagurta, women affairs secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Dr. Dipumoni, president of Karmajibi Nari Ms. Shirin Akhter, human rights activist Rosaline Costa, president of Parbatya Chattagram Mahila Samity Madhabi Lata Chakma, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Sanjeeb Drong and president of Dhaka Journalist Association Shah Alamgir as discussant.

On behalf of PCMS and HWF, Nishi Dewan read out a paper on national women development policy and indigenous women's rights. General Secretary of HWF Ms. Shashwati Chakma conducted the roundtable.

The speakers of the conference urged the indigenous women to launch a united movement with the mainstream organisations to establish the rights of the indigenous women. They urged the major political parties to incorporate the issue of rights of the ethnic minority groups in their respective manifestos. The speakers criticised the government for not taking into consideration the indigenous women's rights while formulating the National Women Development Policy 2008.

The PCMS and HWF placed a 10-point charter of demands that included followings-

(1) To insert a separate clause in the National Women Development Policy specifying the rights of the indigenous women;

(2) To take opinions from indigenous women's organisations for the same;

(3) To reserve seat in the parliament for the indigenous women;

(4) To introduce reserved seats in the local government bodies for indigenous wome;

(5) To ensure participation of the indigenous women in local and national developments;

(6) To undertake special measure for education of indigenous women and introduce primary education through mother tongue for indigenous children;

(7) To generate employments for indigenous women;

(8) To provide special training to promote interpreteneurs for indigenous women and provide loans with less interest or without interest;

(9) To take special measure for stopping violence against indigenous women; and

(10) To implement policy agenda of PRSP with an aim to ensure socio-economic development of indigenous women.

Rat Invasion: Hill people still suffer from food shortage

The Daily Star, Friday, 25 July 2008

Indigenous people in many remote villages in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) will have to suffer from lack of food grains for at least two more months until the next harvest if the government does not provide them with food. Many families in the CHT districts including Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati are now living on wild potato, arum and green leaves after rats invaded the areas last year and early this year and destroyed all their crops leading to this famine-like situation.

The government and donor agencies provided them with rice immediately after the rat invasion, but that was adequate for only a month or two, they said, adding that the next harvest is due in October. "It has become very hard for us to buy rice at Tk 30 per kg as we do not have any income here," said Thiam Khub, a Bowm from Ruma Thanchi village.

People in Darjeelingpara, a Bowm village at the foot of the Keokradong, are living on boiled pumpkin leaves and rice. The family of Karbari (the village chief) said none in the villages can afford boiled leaves and rice more than twice a day. They said initially they bought rice selling their cattle and poultry. But now most of them have nothing left to sell.

Following bamboo blossoming last year rats invaded many CHT areas and destroyed almost everything edible. This forced many indigenous people to leave their villages. Talking to the people from Ruma Thanchi, Sungsangpara, Anandapara, Wykangpara, it was learnt that rats ate all their rice, ginger, maize, turmeric, peppers, pumpkins, oil seeds and cotton.

The government provided each family with 15 kg rice while the UNDP and World Food Programme provided 30 kg rice per family in the affected areas, the locals said. But the aid exhausted within two months or just one month in the case of a bigger family, they said.

Mostly Bawm, Marma, Tripura and Murung communities live in these remote villages. These people generally grow everything they need and just have to buy kerosene and salt from the market.

Thiam Khub now works in the jum and weaves. He said he can weave a "thurang" in two days and sell it for Tk 100 at Ruma Bazar, about eight hours' walk from his village. But with this amount he can hardly buy 3 kgs of rice. "I am having a very hard time because if I weave thurang, I cannot work on jum," he said. "We have already sold most of the cattle in our village to buy rice. Many of us now have nothing to sell and are living on wild potatoes, arum or other wild roots," said Chandiram Tripura of Anandapara.

About the relation between rat infestation and bamboo blooming, wildlife expert Dr Reza Khan said rats lose their habitats when bamboo plants die after blooming. "So, the rats come out of the bamboo bushes and attack crops," he said.

As bamboo generally blooms in 20-40 years, he suggested cleaning the bamboo bushes accordingly so that bamboo cannot bloom..

Involvement of ethnic minorities demanded to conserve forests

New Age, Dhaka, Friday, 25 July 2008

Academics, experts and environmentalists on Thursday stressed the need for amendment to the 81-year-old forest act by ensuring participation of the ethnic minority community people living in the forests for its effective conservation. They observed that the forest laws had become outdated and conservation of forests would not be possible without ensuring active participation of the ethnic minorities living there.

'The rights of adivasis to forests must be ensured through amendment to the forest laws,' Syeda Rizwana Chowdhury Hassan, programme director of the Bangladesh Environment Lawyers' Association, told a workshop on 'Madhupur Shal Forest and Rights of Adivasis' at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka. The association arranged the workshop in collaboration with Joyenshahi Adivasi Unnayan Parishad.

'According to the preamble of the Forest Act 1927, the goal of the laws was not to conserve the forest. The law was formulated to serve the interest of the colonial rulers. It must be changed as it hinders the conservation process,' she said. She called upon the government to formulate laws that would institutionalise the rights of the ethnic minorities. The government's step to replace shal trees with alien species such as eucalyptus and acacia were resulting in gradual disappearance of Madhupur Shal Forest, she observed.

Special assistant to the chief adviser Raja Debashis Roy said the government was mulling over brining amendment to in the forest laws. He urged all to create awareness among all of the issues so that the political governments could take effective steps to conserve the forests and ensure the rights of the ethnic minorities.

Speaking on the occasion, Ain-o-Salish Kendra executive director Sultana Kamal said, 'The adivasis have remained deprived of justice for long both from the society and the state. Unless the rights of the people living in the forest can be analysed and understood properly, the problems will not be solved.'

Atiq Rahman of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies said ethnic minority community people living in the forests need to be involved with the conservation of forests.

Presenting a slide show on the rights of ethnic minorities on the forest laws, Professor Sadeka Halim said, 'Amendment to the Forest Act 1927 to provide different types of co-management should be done after consultation with the adivasis living in the forests and the civil society.' A proper review of land ownership and variety of other ownerships since the British rule and customary ownership is the prerequisite to the implementation of the social afforestation programme, she added.

Conducted by Nijera Kari coordinator Khushi Kabir, the workshop was also addressed by former lawmaker Promod Mankin, adivasi leader Subhas Jeng Chaam, filmmaker Ronald Halder, Modhupur upazila nirbahi officer M Parvez Rahim, forest department director Shah-e-Alam and adivasi leader Sanjeeb Drong. Joyenshahi Adivasi Unnayan Parishad president Ajoy A Mree delivered the welcome speech.

Indigenous students demand higher quota in institutions

The Daily Star, Saturday, 26 July 2008

Adibasi Students' Association in Rajshahi University, an organisation for indigenous students, at a freshers' reception held at the university central cafeteria on Thursday urged the caretaker government for increasing quota of indigenous students at all educational institutions including the university. Association president Mukul Kisko presided the reception while it was attended by former president Arab Toppo as chief guest and former executive member Dipok Ekka as special guest.

Indigenous students demanded their constitutional recognition and ensuring rights to education in their mother language. They urged the government to form a body to look into their problems including those of underprivileged communities.

They demanded an equal opportunity like Bangalee students in educational and other government sectors. They urged the university authorities to ensure residential facilities for them as well as increasing their scholarships.

Kapaeeng Watch News Release on CHT Situation: 12 August 2008

2008-08-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

8 Islamic militants held in Bandarban

On 5 August 2008 eight Islamic militants belong to 'Islami Samaj' aged between 18 and 50 years were arrested by intelligence officials when they were distributing leaflets at Bandarban District and Sessions Judge's Court premises. They were handed over to Bandarban police station and sent Bandarban jail.

The arrested militants are identified as Solaiman Kabir, Syed Ahmed Kabir, Abu Bakar Siddique, Nazmul Haque Rana, Abul Bashar, Khaled Saifullah Mamun, Habibur Rahman and Abu Hanif who came from Comilla, Sherpur, Noakhali, Shariatpur, Jamalpur and Tangail districts. They said they joined Islami Samaj a few months ago. They also added that they do not obey any man-made law and will not seek permission to distribute leaflets. They said that they were visiting different districts taking permission from Allah.

The militants said that they held a meeting earlier in the day with a teacher of Bandarban College and gave him some leaflets for distributing among the teachers and students. However, they claimed that they have no connection with the militants of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) who kill people.

It is mentionable that the state policy of Islamisation in CHT helps to grow strong underground base of Islamic extremists in hilly region of CHT. By taking the advantage of state policy of Islamisation, Islamic extremist group including JMB, Huji and Rohinga separatists set up base camps and training centres in the deep forest of CHT, particularly Naikkyongchari, Lama and Alikadam upazilas under Bandarban district without facing hard difficulties. The militants, who were arrested from CHT after the bomb blast through out the country in August 2005, admitted that there were several training camps and hundreds of members in three hill districts of CHT and thousands of jihadis had been trained from these training camps.

Jumma village attacked by Bengali settlers at Gangaram Duar in Sajek

On 9 August 2008 at around 11.00 p.m. a group of Bengali settlers numbering 12/15 persons made an attack on Jumma houses at Gangaram Duar of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. Bengali settlers beat the villagers and looted the valuables of houses. At least 6 Jumma villagers were wounded in this attack. One of wounded persons got admitted first at MSF hospital at Sajek and later transferred to Khagrachari hospital with serious injuries. The following Jumma villagers were wounded-

1) Mr. Buddhadhan Chakma (60) s/o Surendra Chakma was beaten and his house was looted.

2) Mr. Kaloketu Chakma (68) s/o Rajendra Chakma was beaten.

3) Mr. Joyanta Chakma (70) s/o unknown was brutally beaten.

4) Mr. Tungkala Chakma (42) s/o Rai Mohan Chakma was beaten.

5) Mr. Mukul Kumar Chakma (50) s/o Suresh Swapan Chakma was beaten.

6) Mr. Hriday Ranjan Chakma (70) s/o Ramani Mohan Chakma was chopped by sharp lethal weapon and one of hands was broken. He got admitted at MSF hospital. His house was also looted.

It is learnt that at day time a quarrel was happened between Bengali settlers and Jumma villagers at Baghaihat bazaar. In retaliation to this incident, the Bengali settlers along with few army personnel attacked the said village. The attack was led by (1) Habilder Shariful from Baghaichari army zone, (2) Md. Nasim Dactor, shopkeeper of Baghaihat bazaar, (3) Md. Rafiq, shopkeeper of Baghaihat bazaar, (4) Rahman, shopkeeper of Baghaihat bazaar and (5) Ali, shopkeeper of Baghaihat bazaar.

Land owned by Jumma occupied by Bengali settlers in Bandarban

On 10 August 2008 a group of Bengali settlers occupied land owned by Jumma people at Kyaching Karbari Para under Bandarban sadar upazila in Bandarban district.

It is learnt that on that day at around 3.00 a.m. Bengali settlers led by Kazi Mujibur Rahman, secretary of district Awami League and also vice president of army-backed extreme Bengali nationalist and fanatic organisation named Sama Odhikar Andolon constructed 12 houses on land of Kyaching Karbari. Following the forcibly occupation of land, Kyaching Karbari filed a case with judicial magistrate court of Bandarban district on 11 August. In addition, he also lodged a case against the Bengali settlers with Bandarban police station. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of police station called both parties i.e. land owner Kyaching Karbari and Bengali settlers. But astonishingly he, instead of eviction of Bengali settlers from forcibly occupied land, only ordered Bengali settlers not to further expand occupation land and construction of house.

It is mentionable that Bengali settlers constructed at least 150 houses occupying around 4 acre of land owned by Kyaching Karbari during last 3 years. Kyaching Karbari lodged a case against the land grabbers at that time. Court ordered to maintain status quo. But violating the court order, the Bengali settlers constructed 12 houses further occupying land of Kyaching Karbari. It is also reported that a mosque and a school were constructed in this area with financial help of Bandarban army brigade 6 months ago. Kyaching Karbari has around 30 acre of land in this area.

CHT Commission urges government to speed up CHT Accord execution

On 14 August 2008 in a press conference held at national press club in Dhaka, the CHT Commission (CHTC) urged the government to speed up the implementation of the CHT Accord of 1997 and to take early measures to activate the land commission and the refugee rehabilitation task force.

It is mentionable that the twelve-member CHTC was re-constituted in a meeting held on 31 May and 1 June 2008 in Copenhagen, Denmark. There are three co-chairs of the newly constituted CHTC. They are member of the Upper House of the UK Parliament and vice chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group of UK Lord Eric Avebury, former advisor ro caretaker government of Bangladesh and eminent human rights activist Ms. Sultana Kamal and indigenous people expert from Denmark Dr. Eda Nicolson.

CHTC visited three hill districts of the CHT from 7-10 August 2008 to observe the prevailing situation of the region and help promote human rights, democratic practices and land rights of indigenous people. They talked to the advisors to the caretaker government, chairmen-members of the CHTRC and three HDCs, civil and military officials, representatives of permanent residents of CHT both indigenous Jumma and Bengali peoples, leaders of Bengali settlers, political and traditional leaders, civil society members, public representatives in CHT and Dhaka during the visit. They also visited Baghaihat and Sajek area under Baghaichari upazila where arson attack was made on 7 indigenous Jumma vilages by Bengali settlers, land dispute areas of Karalyachari under Mahalchari, Twi-tilla and 4 Kilometre area on Dighinala-Baghaichari road and Baragram in Dighinala.

After completing the visit, CHTC organised this press conference where its co-chairs Lord Eric Avebury and Ms. Sultana Kamal, its members Ms. Victoria-Tauli Corpus, Dr. Swapan Adnan, Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and Barrister Sara Hossain, and its resource persons Dr. Meghna Guhathakurta, Ms. Yeneki Arens and Tom Erickson.

Lord Eric Avebury read out the written statement of the commission. He said that this was a familiarisation trip to gather and establish a database on information received during and after the first mission. The commission will make recommendations to the government, political parties and stakeholders in the light of gathered information.

Lord Avebury also added, "The commission is still at an initial stage of its operations. In the coming months, it will gather and establish a database on information received during and after this mission." He said that individuals or groups looking to contribute to the recommendations can do so before November 30 by contacting the CHTC secretariat. He expressed that there was a common view about the urgent need for peace in the region and for implementation of the CHT Accord, although there were diverse views on the possible means available. They also received reports on ethnic tensions and disharmony surrounding land disputes.

Co-chair of the commission and former adviser to the caretaker government Sultan Kamal and its members educationist Zafar Iqbal, Sara Hossain and Swapan Adnan attended the briefing. They also answered to question of journalists in the conference.

It is mentionable that CHTRC was formed in 1990 and operated till 2001. It published a report on land and human rights of CHT people titled 'Life is not Ours' and updated it four times.

Massive military operation is going on in Rowangchari

Since 15 August 2008 massive military operation is going on through out Rowangchari upazila in Bandarban district.

It is learnt that Brigade commander of Bandarban brigade ordered to launch operation through out Rowangchari upazila in the name of kicking out terrorist from the area. He also ordered to destroy Jum houses constructed by Jum cultivator for temporary use alleging that the terrorists hide at these houses. The army deployed to this operation ordered Jum cultivator not to make hedges of the houses. However, Jum cultivators alleged that they would not leave without hedges of the houses.

CHT commission ends Bandarban visit

2008-08-11T23:16:00.000-07:00

A team of International Commission for Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs left Bandarban hill district after completing their four-day long visit on Sunday night.

Led by British MP Eric Reginald Lubbock, the team included USA citizen Thomas Christian Eskildsen, Dutch citizen MS Adrienne Maria Jacoba Arens and their Bangladeshi partners Dr Meghna Guha Thakurata, Dr Jafar Iqbal, Dr Shawpan Adnan and barrister Sara Hossain.

Two other groups of the commission also visited Rangamati and Khagrachari Hill District simultaneously.

The commission members met with the circle chiefs (Raja), army officials, chairman of the Hill District Councils, district administration, civil society members and indigenous and Bangalee people separately.

Sorces- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=50050

Land issue main problem in hills

2008-08-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

Sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=49743

CHT commission says in Rangamati

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC), now on a five-day visit to the hill districts, held discussions with leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities in Rangaamti on their problems yesterday and the night before.

The 11-member commission led by its Co-Chairman Lord Eric Avebury arrived Rangamati from Khgrachhari Friday eveninga and soon after started meetings with community leaders. It also held talks with army and civil administration officials.

The team, divided into two groups, met with leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities separately in Rangamati town Friday evening. Yesterday, Lord Eric Avebury met with Brigade Commander Brigadier General Abu Sohel and Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Amin separately.

At the meetings, indigenous leaders alleged that their communities were being subjected to human rights violation and they are still being evicted from their lands in hills to settle Bangla speaking people from plainlands.

The indigenous leaders demanded immediate functioning of the Land Commission (LC) to resolve all land disputes, saying land issue is the main problem in CHT.

Leaders of Somo Odhikar Andolan (SOA), a platform of Bangalee communities, at meetings with the commission, alleged that indigenous communities get better opportunities and facilities in development programmes funded by foreign donors. They demanded equal treatment.

SOA leaders said Bangalee community should be equally represented in the three hill district councils (HDCs) and in CHT Regional Council.

Replying to journalists' questions, Lord Eric Avebury said there should be better relations between indigenous and Bangalee communities and better co-ordination among army, civil administration and all NGOs and UN organisations for greater interests of all living in the hills.

“There are so many problems including the land issue in the region and their solution will take a long time. We are just collecting opinions from all sections of people and we will make recommendations to the government,” Avebury added.

CHT commission concludes tour of hill district

2008-08-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=49620

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Commission during its two-day visit to Khagrachhari and Baghaichhari heard allegations and counter allegations from indigenous people and settlers.

The commission started its visit from Karallachhari of Mohalchhari upazila in Khagrachhari on August 7 and ended its tour at Babupara in the same upazila yesterday.

The commission observed the human rights situation, democratic rights situation and participation of the locals in development activities in the CHT areas. It has also observed how the CHT Peace Treaty of 1997 is being implemented.

The commission divided into two teams visited different areas yesterday. One team led by Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission Co-chairman Lord Avebury visited Bagaihat around 10:30am while the other team led by Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission Co-chairman Sultana Kamal visited Duitilla and Charmail areas in Baghaichhari. Both teams talked to indigenous people, settlers and government officials in the areas.

The indigenous people told the commission that the settlers are grabbing their lands, orchards and properties at Duitilla, Charmail, Bagaihat and Sajek under the protection of the administration. The settlers harass their young daughters everywhere, they alleged. They also demanded withdrawal of security forces from CHT. Indigenous leaders said they want a peaceful environment.

The settlers, however, told the commission that the indigenous people were grabbing their land which the government provided them at Karallachhari in Mohalchhari upazila, Duitilla, Charmail and Bagaihat in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati. The settlers said criminal activists have risen in the hilly areas and JSS and UPDF are responsible for many instances of abduction, killing and extortion. They demanded the presence of more security personnel in their areas.

The commission would officially disclose its findings in a press conference which will be held in Dhaka within the next two weeks.

Lord Avebury went to Khagrachhari Thursday and held discussions with regional commander Brig Gen Kamruzzaman PSC, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahdat Hossen, Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura and CHT Taskforce Chairman Samiron Dewan.

Victoria Tauli Corpus from the Philippines, Sara Hossain, Shapan Adnan, M Zafar Iqbal, Tom Eskildsen, representative of Jumma Net Japan, and Chris Erni, representative of IWGIA, were among the teams.

Protect indigenous people to save forests

2008-08-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=49593

Speakers at a seminar yesterday 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.

The seminar titled 'Environmental degradation in forest: Socio-economic crisis of indigenous people' was organised by the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at WVA auditorium in the city.

Speaking as chair Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said there is a debate over the name of Adibashi but there is no debate about it that those who live in forests also protect them.

"Those who consider forests as the raw materials of industrialisation do not protect them," he said.

The existence of Adibashi people is being threatened in the name of participatory forests, he added.

In a keynote paper, Prof Khandaker Mokaddem Hossain of Dhaka University said the ethnic communities constitute, according to a government statistics, about 1.2 percent of the total population, but the actual number of indigenous people is considerably higher than this.

He said a huge number of Bangalee settlers have been rehabilitated at Matiranga and Ramgarh thanas in Khagrachhari district, Lama thana in Bandarban district, and Madhupur Tracts of Tangail and Mymensingh districts.

As a consequence, the indigenous people have become marginalised and lost their traditional rights over land and trees, he said.

Prof Hossain said the government should implement ILO's Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 169 to protect their human and land rights.

He said the land and tree resources of indigenous people should be protected from the activities that are not sound environmentally.

Apart from the rehabilitation of Bangalee settlers and commercial plantation of tea, pineapple, orange, lemon and rubber trees, infrastructural development including construction of roads, bridges and highways, industrialisation and urbanization process, and control of forest lands by military and para-military troops in Chittagong Hill Tracts are the main causes of deforestation.

Philip Gain, director of SHED, said the aggression of alien trees in forest is not acceptable.

There were 100 species of indigenous trees in Madhupur forest but in the name of participatory afforestation these trees have been replaced by acacia and eucalyptus, he said.

If the government does not take adequate steps it will be very difficult for indigenous people to survive, said Rabindranath Soren, a leader of the Adibashi community.

AZM Shamsul Huda, a retired forest conservator, said indigenous people do not make any harm to forests, and during his service he did not find them in selling tress by cutting them illegally.

A culture that will never die

2008-08-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

Sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=49388

NDIGENOUS peoples have contributed the least to world greenhouse gas emissions and have the smallest ecological footprints on earth. Yet they suffer the worst impacts from not only climate change, but also hardship in education, employment, health, human rights, social and economic development, and everyday life.

(Picture- Indigenous people: Aren't they citizens of Bangladesh? Photo: Munir Uz Zaman/ Driknews)

Precise estimates for the total population of the world's indigenous peoples are very difficult to compile, but at the start of the 21st century, there were at least 370 million indigenous people, including 5,000 distinct tribes spread across 70 countries, living relatively neutral or even carbon negative lifestyles. While not a large number when compared to the world population of 6 billion, it does have a substantial impact in lowering emissions. Compare this to the impact of the United States, with a population of 300 million -- only 4% of the world's population -- but responsible for about 25% of world greenhouse gas emissions. But the global situation of indigenous peoples is not encouraging.

In order to end their marginalisation, their extreme poverty, the expropriation of their traditional lands and the other grave human rights abuses they face, the UN General Assembly decided to celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous People on August 9 every year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous people, declared on December 23, 1994, to commemorate the first meeting in 1982 of the UN Working Group of Indigenous Populations of the Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities of the Commission on Human Rights.

In recognition of indigenous peoples' particular vulnerability to climate change and their important role in responding to it, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in its 2008 session will focus on "Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked member states and indigenous people to come together in a spirit of mutual respect. "Indeed, the suffering of indigenous peoples includes some of the darkest episodes in human history," he mentioned in his special message on the eve of this year's International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

Indigenous peoples have a history and a culture that will never die. They have a consciousness of culture and brotherhood, though they remain on each country's fringes, marginal to each country's citizenship. They continue to suffer from discrimination, marginalisation, extreme poverty and conflict. They face dispossession of their traditional lands and livelihoods, displacement, destruction of their belief systems, culture, language and way of life, and even the threat of extinction.

In identifying themselves as indigenous peoples, they do not mean to undermine the rights of anyone else, nor do they mean to undermine the global state system. According to Rebecca Adamson, an American Indian Rights activist, we are all indigenous people, and we have to reorganise to get along. All humankind is related to each other, each with a purpose, spirit, and sacredness. The rights of indigenous peoples are the same as the rights of all humans.

Indigenous peoples have fought for over 500 years against genocide, displacement, colonisation and forced assimilation. Throughout, they have succeeded in preserving their cultures and their identities as distinct peoples. But the ongoing fight over land and power has left indigenous communities among the poorest and most marginalised in the world, alienated from state politics, under- or un-represented by national governments. Today, indigenous peoples, who occupy some of the last pristine environments on earth, are at the forefront of the struggle against corporate globalisation and privatisation of natural resources.

They want to be recognised for who they are: distinct groups with their own unique cultures and their own unique destinies, unaffected by the whims of their governments. They want to be protected from genocide, arbitrary execution, torture, forced relocation, or assimilation; they want to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression, association, and religion. They want to be treated equally with respect to opportunities for education, healthcare, work, and other basic needs. Where such rights conflict with the needs of the state or other peoples, they want to participate as equals in an impartial and transparent process for resolving the conflict in a fair, respectful way.

But they are inevitably going to disappear and some populations are facing extinction sooner than later. 18 of the 28 indigenous groups in Colombia have less than 100 members, "and are suspended between life and death." 50 indigenous people were killed and other forced to move to neighbouring villages, caves and mosques by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority in 2004. Indigenous peoples in Malaysia and Indonesia have been uprooted by the aggressive expansion of oil palm plantations for bio-fuel production.

The recent cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, and the earthquake that struck southwest China, brought the world's attention to the plight of indigenous peoples in South and Central Asia, if only for a brief moment. The Rakia of India, the Peripatetics of South Asia, the Bhil of central western India, the Tharu of Nepal, the Dom of Northern Pakistan, the peoples and cultures of the Kashmir Himalayas, the Hazara of Central Afghanistan, the Wakhi and Kirghiz of the Pamirian Knot, the Badakshani of Tajikistan, the Lezghi of the Caucasus mountain range, the people of Tibet, and the Minhe Mangghuer of China; all remain stubbornly amongst the poorest of the poor. They are rapidly disappearing not only from natural disasters, but also from globalisation and its associated processes of imperialism and capitalism.

Bangladesh is so culturally vast that it is easy to lose sight of how many indigenous peoples inhabit the region. Approximately 2.5 million are indigenous peoples belonging to 45 different ethnic groups. But according to a study of Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights, 61% of indigenous people still face discrimination, 42% are victims of corruption, and 19% have been evicted from their ancestral lands. Around 1.2 million indigenous people of the country are yet to be recognised as special or indigenous communities constitutionally, deprived of enjoying their rights and facing discrimination.

Avoiding the path of armed conflict and finding a political solution to improve the condition of the indigenous peoples of Bangladesh, the government set up a special ministry titled "Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs" on July 15, 1998 following a peace accord signed between National Committee on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana-Samhati Samiti on December 2, 1997. Since the signing of the peace accord, there has been a catastrophic failure to implement the accord's terms.

Arrests and intimidation of activists, and other human rights abuses continue. Land continues to be stolen from the indigenous people by both government agencies and by settlers. There is no one to put an end to human rights violations in the region or to ensure that those responsible for these violations are brought to justice.

Today, we have to acknowledge the contributions which indigenous peoples make to humanity through their rich civilisations. We must vigilantly uphold respect for their human rights. They should be integrated in the international development agenda, including the Millennium Development Goals, in policies, programs, and country-level projects. We have to acknowledge their special stewardship on issues related to the environment and climate change.

Ripan Kumar Biswas is a freelance writer based in New York.

Reconstituted CHT body goes to hills today

2008-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=49338

A delegation of the newly reconstituted Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Commission today begins a five-day visit to the three hill districts to observe the prevailing situation there and help promote human rights, democratic practices and land rights of indigenous people.

The commission was reformed a couple of months ago in Copenhagen. Britain's Lord Eric Avebury, vice chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, and Sultana Kamal, former adviser of caretaker government, are now co-chairs of the 12-member commission.

Lord Avebury arrived in Dhaka yesterday.

While visiting the CHT region, the delegation will assess political as well as human rights situation in the hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari in the post-CHT peace accord era.

Members of the team including Avebury and Sultana yesterday exchanged views with journalists working on CHT issues in the capital. Avebury said CHT issue has become a very complicated one, and that the commission would talk with different stakeholders to have an outcome.

Commission members Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal and Shapan Adnan, and prof Meghna Guha Thakurata, adviser to the commission, among others, took part in the exchange of views.

Formed in 1990, the CHT commission operated till 2001 and published a report on misery of CHT people titled 'Life is not Ours' and updated it four times.

Our Rangamati correspondent reports: The CHT commission delegation is likely to visit Khagrachhari today, Rangamati tomorrow and Bandarban the following day.

The team members will have discussions with local political and civil society leaders, public representatives and civil and military officials separately.

In Rangamati, a view exchange meeting will be held tomorrow evening at Rajbari in the town. Leaders of indigenous and Bengalee-speaking people will be present there.

Various issues including implementation of CHT peace accord and land rights ethnic communities may come up at the meeting.

The CHT commission comprises Avebury, Sultana, Ida Ncolaisen, Lars-Anders Baer, Victoria Tauli Corpuz, Shapan Adnan, Sara Hossain, Zafar Iqbal, Kuupik Kleist, Lee Swepstone, Robert Evans and Hideaki Uemura.

Where forests are the only means of survival

2008-08-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

Source from:- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=48708

It's either forests, or nothing. This is how one can define livelihoods in the hill tracts.

[Picture- Settlers clear off trees on a hill to make room for homes, damaging the environment while people of the area engage in Jhum cultivation, inset, which leads to erosion of hills. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain]

As we travelled from one hill to another, one pourasava to the other, one territory to another in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, we found that the people are highly dependent on forest resources.

They are clearing hills after hills without any regards for forestry or wildlife and engaging in Jhum cultivation. They have no other means for survival too. And when you have no options, you turn to the immediate next thing you have--the forests.

And these people have been climbing up and up and deeper and deeper into the forests. We saw huts being built in places where no habitation had been before. We saw new hills being cleared for cultivation.

But with the depletion of forests, livelihood is becoming difficult for the hills people by the day as Shantimoy Chakma of Marissa would testify.

"I lived there," he points to a hill yonder. "Years ago, my family could survive on what we grew. We had the trees to supplement us. We could sell one tree and that would see us through the year. But now the trees are gone. Whatever is left does not bring us much money. The land has lost its fertility. So, I moved on."

Shantimoy showed us his new hut. He has squatted on a new hill. Cleared its surroundings and started Jhum again. Years from now, this place would become infertile with the erosion of soil. Then he would move again. And again. And then nobody knows what will happen in a barren land.

Hardly any industry has developed in the hills. And livelihood outside agriculture is scarce too. NGO operation is weak here and cattle rearing or poultry is not easily seen. Handicraft is also produced in limited scale. There is no real effort to link this land with the mainland economy. Little public money has poured in to create non-agriculture employment.

And as a natural alternative to the absence of economic development, arum cultivation is being introduced in the hills where pristine trees should have been standing tall. We have seen the forest department joining hands with the locals in the act of destroying forest.

As a consequence of this mass-scale destruction of forest, the timber industry in the hills today is faced with an uncertain future. Or you can call it a "certain future of gradual death".

"Our timber supply has dwindled to half in the past five years or so," said Md Hakim, a sawmill owner in Rangamati. "And whatever timber we get is of little value as they are not mature enough to produce good quality wood."

Rangamati timber industry is fully dependent on locally extracted logs. The forests that once supplied bulk of the timber to the rest of the country is today barren and so the local demand is now met from imports.

"Unless we take immediate actions to provide alternative livelihood to the hills people, the remaining forests would be gone very soon," said Dr Reza Khan. "We need to plan how to use the forest in a sustainable way to provide jobs to the people."

Dr Khan lists a number of activities that can be introduced in the hills for employment generation. Farming of wildlife such as hill myna, hornbill, deer, monkey is just one as the local people are well adapted to doing so. Giving incentives and arranging marketing of handicrafts, encouraging tourism and training up the locals as guides, encouraging backyard farming of chickens, ducks, rabbits, leeches (blood for the leeches to be collected from slaughter houses), laboratory white rats and mice, cockroaches--all of which can be supplied to laboratories and the zoos.

But until such alternative livelihood initiatives are taken, pressure on the forests will only increase day by day and forest destruction will continue.

ACHR: Bangladesh, worst Human Rights violator among SAARC countries

2008-08-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

Source- http://www.tamilnet.com/img/publish/2008/08/SAARC-2008_01.pdf

With 46 points, Bangladesh was ranked No. 2 human rights violator in the
region. On political freedom, Bangladesh scores the worst in the region
with an effective ban on politics. In the first 10 months of 2007, a total
of 440,684 people had been arrested and of these, only 239,480 were issued
arrest warrants. Only 778 were wanted by the police for criminal offences.

The Rapid Action Battalion and other security forces carried out 184 in
so-called “cross-fire” killings – a euphemism for extrajudicial killings.
The use of torture in Bangladesh is routine. Impunity for human rights
violations is total.

Bangladesh is the only country where any law i.e. Emergency Powers Rules
of 2007 have been applied retroactively – a non-derogable principle in the
administration of justice under international human rights law.

On press freedom, the government arrested numerous journalists in cases
that raised serious concerns over the application of the law.

Indigenous/tribal peoples and minorities continued to be the target of
attacks by the majority and the State. The government has intensified
illegal settlement of plain settlers into the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The
extent of the discrimination is hard to believe. A new study by Dhaka
University showed that some 1.2 million or 44 per cent of the 2.7 million
Hindu households in Bangladesh were affected by the Enemy Property Act,
1965 and the Vested Property Act, 1974. Effectively the law is empowered
to describe 2.7 million innocent citizens as ‘enemies of the State’ and if
they so wish seize their properties.

Human rights activists were subject to surveillance. Those defenders from
or working with indigenous and minority communities were the subject of
particular harassment. The government has failed to punish the guilty
responsible for the custodial killing of indigenous Garo leader, Choles
Ritchil in March 2007.

Amnesty International Report 2008: Bangladesh

2008-07-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

Sources- http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/regions/asia-pacific/bangladesh

Human rights were severely restricted under a state of emergency imposed in the wake of widespread political violence. Hundreds of thousands of people were reportedly arrested on suspicion of criminal activity or breaches of emergency rules. Torture continued to be widespread. Law enforcement agencies were implicated in the deaths of more than 100 people in custody, but no one was held to account for the deaths. At least six men were executed.

Background
Following weeks of violent clashes between the supporters of the main political parties, a state of emergency was declared on 11 January. Elections scheduled for 22 January were postponed until 2008. President Iajuddin Ahmed appointed a new caretaker government headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed as Chief Adviser and supported by the army, and the army was deployed with the police to maintain law and order.

The new government embarked on an anti-corruption programme, and took steps towards judicial and electoral reform, but the pace of reforms was disappointingly slow. There were also widespread concerns both about the role of the army in the country’s political life and about economic problems, including a sharp rise in the cost of food and other essential goods.

The government announced that it had initiated the creation of a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The authorities were urged by Amnesty International to ensure that the NHRC’s mandate, independence and resources would enable it to be an effective mechanism for strengthening human rights protection.

More than 60,000 slum dwellers were forcibly evicted when the government demolished slums in Dhaka, and also in Chittagong and Khulna. They were given no alternative accommodation or compensation.

Cyclone Sidr which hit south-western areas in mid-November caused severe devastation to over a million people’s homes and livelihoods and killed more than 3,000 people.

State of emergency restrictions
Emergency rules restricted freedom of association and assembly, withdrew some constitutional safeguards against arbitrary arrest and gave far-reaching powers of arrest to law enforcement agencies. The ban on political meetings was partially lifted in September to allow political parties to prepare for dialogue with the Election Commission on electoral reforms. Members of parties supported by the authorities were allowed to meet with no restrictions throughout the year.

Fair trial safeguards were weakened by the use of Special Courts which imposed tight restrictions on defendants’ access to lawyers, and by the denial of bail to defendants charged under emergency regulations.

Police and security forces – torture and deaths in custody
The security forces, including army and paramilitary units deployed under emergency rule with the police, committed human rights violations with impunity, including torture and other ill-treatment and alleged extrajudicial executions. The police force was inadequately trained and equipped and lacked effective accountability and oversight mechanisms. Army personnel accused of human rights violations remained almost entirely outside the purview of civilian judicial accountability mechanisms.

Rang Lai Mro, a community leader in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, was arrested on 23 February and allegedly tortured by army personnel. He required hospital treatment for his injuries. He was charged with possession of arms and reportedly sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. In October he was reportedly taken back into police custody, beaten again, and once more needed hospital treatment. There was no reported investigation into the torture allegations.

Sahebullah was reportedly detained on 16 May by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel and tortured in the office of the director of the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Both his legs were reportedly broken. He was arrested after demanding that a doctor attend to his wife, who had not been treated for 12 hours. She died the next day.

Law enforcement agencies were implicated in the deaths of more than 100 people in custody. No action was apparently taken to bring those responsible to justice.

Khabirul Islam Dulal, from Char Fashion Municipality in Bohla district, was arrested by navy personnel on 20 February. He was reportedly beaten, thrown in a pond with his hands tied with rope, and beaten again. He died that evening.

Garo indigenous leader Cholesh Richil died on 18 May while in the custody of Joint Forces (army and police) personnel. There were strong indications that he died under torture. Three other members of the Garo community – Tohin Hadima, Piren Simsung and Protap Jambila – were arrested at the same time and reportedly tortured. The government set up a judicial inquiry into Cholesh Richil’s death, but there was no news about it by the year’s end.

Arbitrary detention
According to media reports, officials stated that over 440,000 people were arrested on various grounds during the year. Many detainees were detained arbitrarily, initially held under emergency rules, then served with a detention order under the 1974 Special Powers Act (SPA). Some were then charged with politically motivated criminal offences.

Some people held under emergency rules were accused of “extortion” or other criminal activity. Detainees included over 160 politicians from the main political parties, as well as some wealthy business people. A number of detainees held without trial under emergency regulations or the SPA were reportedly tortured or ill-treated.

Shahidul Islam, a human rights activist, was charged with murder on the basis of a “confession” by another detainee, Badrul, in February. This charge blocked the release of Shahidul Islam when his detention order under the SPA expired in late February. Badrul retracted his original statement in court, saying he had been forced to make it by police. However, the charge against Shahidul Islam was not dropped and he was reportedly tortured in detention before being released on bail in late August.

Following clashes in August between law enforcement agencies and students in Dhaka and Rajshahi demanding an end to the state of emergency, 10 university lecturers from Dhaka and Rajshahi universities were detained. They were prisoners of conscience. Dozens of students were also arrested, accused of involvement in clashes. The six Rajshahi University lecturers were released in December but the four Dhaka University lecturers remained in detention.

Freedom of expression
Although wide-ranging emergency restrictions on the news media were not strictly enforced, their continued existence intensified self-censorship by journalists and editors. Journalists were threatened with arrest if they criticized intelligence agencies or the army.

Arifur Rahman, a cartoonist, was arrested on 17 September over a cartoon that used the name of the prophet Muhammad, following threats by Islamist groups. He was charged with “hurting religious sentiments” and was a prisoner of conscience. A 30-day detention order was issued against him under the SPA and extended for a further three months.

Human rights defenders
As in previous years, human rights defenders were subjected to arbitrary detention and torture. Lawyers were allegedly threatened with arrest on corruption charges if they took up high-profile cases.

Prisoner of conscience Tasneem Khalil, a journalist who worked with the Daily Star newspaper, CNN and Human Rights Watch, was detained on 11 May and reportedly tortured because he had supplied information on human rights violations.

Prisoner of conscience Jahangir Alam Akash, journalist and local head of two human rights organizations, was arrested on 24 October by RAB agents in the north-western city of Rajshahi. He was reportedly given electric shocks, was beaten on the soles of his feet with a stick, and was hung from the ceiling with his hands tied. He was transferred to the Rajshahi Jail hospital with multiple injuries. His detention followed his television news report in May about the shooting of an unarmed man by RAB agents. He was charged with extortion, a charge widely believed to be false and politically motivated, and held in detention for over a month before being released on bail.

Justice system
The government took steps to implement the Supreme Court’s 1999 ruling requiring separation of the judiciary from the executive, including amendments to relevant laws. On 1 November the new system came into effect. However, reports indicated that executive magistrates would retain some judicial powers.

Past human rights abuses
Demands gathered momentum during the year for the investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed in 1971. However, as in the past, no action was taken by the government to implement the 1973 International Crimes (Tribunals) Act and no official commission was ever established to provide a comprehensive account of the events of 1971, to determine responsibilities and to make recommendations for reparation for the victims.

Violence against women
Violence against women continued to be reported, including beatings, acid attacks and dowry deaths.

In Kushtia district, in the month of June alone, police and hospital records reportedly revealed that at least 19 women committed suicide and 65 more attempted suicide because of violence by their husbands or family members.

Death penalty
At least 90 men and three women were sentenced to death, and at least six men were executed.

Amnesty International visit/reports
An Amnesty International delegation visited Dhaka, Jessore and Khulna in March to assess the impact of the state of emergency on the human rights situation.
Bangladesh: Death in custody and reports of torture (ASA 13/005/2007)
Bangladesh: Amnesty International calls for thorough unrestricted inquiry into violations by security forces (ASA 13/011/2007)

Indigenous people of Bangladesh

2008-07-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=46025

THE terms "indigenous people," "indigenous ethnic minorities," and "tribal groups" are used to describe social groups that share similar characteristics, namely a social and cultural identity that is distinct from dominant groups in society.

United Nations human rights bodies, ILO, the World Bank and international law apply four criteria to distinguish indigenous people:

Indigenous peoples usually live within (or maintain attachments to) geographically distinct ancestral territories.

They tend to maintain distinct social, economic, and political institutions within their territories.

They typically aspire to remain distinct culturally, geographically and institutionally, rather than assimilate fully into a national society.

They self-identify as indigenous or tribal.

The situation of the indigenous people in the world is not encouraging. According to an estimate, there are about 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries. Individual groups practice their uniqueness, different from those of the dominant communities they live in. They are the descendents of those who originally took up habitation in a geographical location. Other settlers, who came through conquest, occupation, encroachment, or other means, gradually joined them.

Ultimately, when and where these intruders and occupiers became more dominant than the original population, the indigenous people were displaced and driven away from their ancestral homelands. Today, these indigenous populations throughout the globe, including Bangladesh, are facing similar problems and are fighting for their land and way of life.

Bangladesh has quite a few varieties of indigenous communities living in various parts of the country. Though the total indigenous population is about one million, or less than 1% of the total population, it consists of 45 indigenous communities using about 26 different languages.

Most indigenous people live in the rural settings of Chittagong Hills and in the regions of Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi. Most of the tribal people are of Sino-Tibetan descent, and have distinctive Mongolian features. These indigenous people differ in their social organisation, marriage customs, birth and death rites, food, and other social customs, from the people of the rest of the country. In the mid-1980s, the percentage distribution of tribal population by religion was Buddhist 44, Hindu 24, Christian 13, and others 19.

Each indigenous community, however small it may be, has a distinctive culture and heritage. The leaders from those communities express concern that those are fading away due to lack of government patronisation and aggressive activities by sections of local people. They complain that their rights are often violated both by the government and by Bengalis. These can be protected only if the government shows more awareness and sensitivity to indigenous causes and comes forward and take steps.

How the indigenous people were forced to lose their dominance in their own locality is shown in the table as a progressive decline of indigenous population in context of the total population in Chittagong Hill Tracts over a period of time (see table).

Problems faced by the indigenous population of Bangladesh may be categorised as follows:

In addition to facing discrimination due to their ethnicity, members of indigenous communities face hardship in education, employment, and everyday life.

Lands of the indigenous peoples have been encroached upon and settled by newcomers. With little legal protection, indigenous peoples can rarely recover the lands they traditionally occupied. Sometimes government agencies in the name of development work take over lands belonging to the indigenous people.

All over the north of Bangladesh, indigenous people say they are concerned about what they call encroachment onto their traditional homelands by Bengali settlers.

Indigenous communities are mostly situated in remote, rural areas, where they lack infrastructure and access to larger markets.

Indigenous communities have also played a historically important role in environmental protection. Traditional livelihoods in indigenous communities may depend upon agriculture and raising animals. Environmental damage, therefore, is having a severe impact on their economies.

Land reform and property laws have restricted some indigenous groups like Khasis at Moulvibazar or Garos at Modhupur, making their traditional occupations untenable.

As they are mostly marginalised, indigenous and tribal peoples lack clout in national and even in most local governments, with the limited exception of local governments of Chittagong Hill Districts. Their interests and needs are often ignored by decision-makers.

Years of discrimination have cast the indigenous people into poverty, thus further damaging their chances at empowerment and opportunities to improve their situation.

Bangladesh is a poor country. But, it may not be wrong to say that, with very few exceptions, Bangladesh's indigenous peoples are by and large the poorest among the poor. It cannot be denied that they face discrimination in education, employment, and civil rights. Decades of violence between indigenous-led insurgencies and government security forces in the Chittagong Hill Tracts gave rise to social tensions there which still persist despite the signing of a peace accord nearly ten years ago. Allegations of serious human and civil rights abuses against members of indigenous communities surface every now and then.

The diversity of our culture due to the presence of indigenous communities is providing extra vigour to the national fabric of Bangladesh. Moreover, indigenous people are the original inhabitants of our country. So, they have the same right we have over Bangladesh, if not more.

The newly elected Australian prime minister recently apologised to the indigenous people of Australia. Prime Minister Kevin Ruddtold parliament: "We apologise for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering, and loss on these our fellow Australians."

Should we continue to neglect our fellow Bangladeshis, the indigenous people, and continue not doing what should be done for them, and be compelled by our conscience to offer similar apologies in future? Would asking for apology in future absolve our irresponsible acts today?

G.M. Quader is a former Member of Parliament.

Cries for justice fall on deaf ears

2008-07-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

- Asian Tribune -
Sources - http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/12386
Sat, 2008-07-26 01:29
By Kamal Rajapakse

Asian Centre for Human Rights issued a damning indictment of human rights violations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by Bangladesh government. It says "This deliberate act of arson, looting, assault and rape, leading to the destruction of seven Jumma villages is reminiscent of similar attacks which forced over 70,000 indigenous Jumma peoples to cross the international border and seek refuge in India in 1985-1986 "

Human rights violations in the CHTs is nothing new to the international community. Almost every big player who monitors human rights had produced reports after reports during the past twenty years. Foreign missions in Dhaka visit CHTs on fact finding missions. Their missions have not had any impact on Islamization of Chittagong Hill Tracts by Bangladesh government.

One of the clauses of The 1997 Peace Accord is to dismantle all temporary military camps. According to the CHTs Commission three years after the agreement only 32 out of over 500 have been dismantled.Today Chittagong Hill Tracts is one of the most militarised zones on earth. The main objectives of the military administration (the de facto government) is to suppress Jumma activists and to give guidance and support to the civil administration to settle Bengali Muslims in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

To avoid another bloody rebellion by the indigenous tribes, Bangladesh armed forces have adopted counter-insurgency measures throughout the CHTs. Army camps and check points are so numerous, it is difficult for Jummas to move freely from one place to another. Very often security forces arrest Jummas on false charges in connection with terrorists activities. As emergecy laws are in force since January 2007 there is no protection under law.Jummas who have been accused face toture and extra-judicial execution.

Under the cloak of emergency laws Bangladesh army have also intensified its land grabbing. Army forcibly evict Jumma people from their land. Their land has been given to illegal Muslim settlers and provides protection to them. There are nearly half a million Bengalis settled in ethnic cleansed land in Chinttagong Hill Tracts.

Despite the systematic extermination of Jumma people it is beyond comprehension why international community is propping up the Bangladesh armed forces. Its air force now operates upgrade version of the Mig-29 and Mi17 and Bell helicopters.Chinese supply military hardware to its forces. Bangladesh officers were trained at the Royal College of Defence Studies and at the Joint Services Command & Staff College in the UK. USA and India have also given training to Bangladesh officers in their respective countries.

1997 Peace Accord was hailed as a breakthrough by the international community. After ten years, Bangladesh government has not fulfilled any of the fundamental demands of the Jumma people. One cannot perceive it will implement any in the near future. There is no doubt that the gradual extinction of the Jumma people who do not have any political or military clout is not a concern of the international community any more.

Navanethem Pillay tipped to become U.N. Human Rights Chief

2008-07-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

The South African judge Ms. Navanethem Pillay, who has served on the International Criminal Court since 2003, is expected to be proposed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the candidate for UN's next Human Rights Chief, succeeding Louise Arbour, Reuters reported Friday. As a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she served for eight years, Judge Pillay led the landmark decisions defining rape as an institutionalized weapon of war and a crime of genocide.
(Pic- Navanethem Pillay)

Navanethem Pillay
Ms. Pillay was the first non-white South African to earn a doctorate in Law from Harvard in 1982. Judge Pillay became the first woman to start a law practice in Natal Province, South Africa in 1967. She defended and represented liberationists and activists in South Africa. Los Angeles Times reported that Pillay was selected over two others by a committee that gave weight to geographic origin and gender as well as experience. She was born in 1941 to South Africa.

Pope lauds apology to Aborigines

2008-07-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Pope Benedict XVI has praised the Australian government for apologising to the country's indigenous people for past injustices.

Speaking at his first public appearance in Sydney, he said it was a courageous move that had offered hope to other disadvantaged people around the world.

PM Kevin Rudd formally apologised to Australian Aborigines early this year.

(Pic- The Pope is in Sydney to lead the Catholic Church's World Youth Day)

The Pope is in Sydney for the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, expected to attract some 200,000 young Catholics.

He made his remarks at a short welcome ceremony led by Mr Rudd.

The prime minister said the pontiff was "truly among friends" in Australia and that the country was honoured to have him there.

'Concrete steps'

The Pope, who arrived in Australia on Sunday, began his first full day of events on Thursday to celebrate the World Youth Day festival.

He will receive a traditional Aboriginal welcome ceremony, to be followed by a tour of Sydney Harbour by boat and an address to crowds gathered on the waterfront.

The pontiff said: "Thanks to the Australian government's courageous decision to acknowledge the injustices committed against the indigenous peoples in the past, concrete steps are now being taken to achieve reconciliation based on mutual respect.

"This example of reconciliation offers hope to peoples all over the world who long to see their rights affirmed and their contribution to society acknowledged and promoted."

Australia's Aborigines make up about 2% of the population. They have consistently higher rates of ill-health, unemployment and imprisonment than other Australians and a life expectancy 17 years lower.

Protests expected

Mr Rudd issued his landmark apology for the abuse and discrimination the country's indigenous people have endured since European colonisation in February, soon after taking office.

In his remarks, the Pope also commented on Australia's "serious commitment" to the environment.

During the course of the visit - his ninth outside Italy - he is also expected to apologise for decades of sexual abuse of children by priests.

Demonstrators have vowed to protest against the Church's stand on homosexuality and birth control.

The Pope will close his trip by presiding over an open-air Mass on Sunday at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

Source from- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7510862.stm

Kapaeeng Watch News Release: 13 July 2008

2008-07-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Panpunji (Betel field) of Khasi indigenous people at Jaflong in Sylhet tried to occupy by mainstream people

[Report has been prepared with the help of news published on daily Prothom Alo on 10 July 2008]

On 18 June 2008 a group of land-hungry mainstream people tried to occupy 10 acres of land owned by Khasi indigenous people at Songram punji of east Jaflong in Sylhet. At night on that day, indigenous people opposed the Bengali Muslim people who had come to occupy the land. From that incident, they are guarding betel field by turns.

It is learnt that retired BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) person Habilder Muslem Uddin, a resident of Mohammadpur of Jaflong Ballaghat area tried to occupy 10 acres of land showing a letter of attorney in the name of his two sons. His two sons Shahin Alam and Mintu Alam with groups of people went there to grab betel field of Khasi people but they receded after they were chased.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Goainghat police station Md. Abdur Razzak said that indigenous people have been cultivating betel leaf on this land for generations. He also added that he asked the land-grabbers to show land document. But they failed to do. Later he learnt that the land is under indigenous people's record. It is mentionable that Khasi indigenous people traditionally cultivate betel leaf in this area for commercial purpose.

A team of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon (BAOA), an organisation working for upholding indigenous peoples' rights, rushed there to investigate the incident and returned to Dhaka few days ago after investigation. Team leader and General Secretary of BAOA Professor Mesbah Kamal said that the whole area of Jaflong situated at the bottom of Meghaloya, is a place of stones. A group of mainstream Bengali people are trying to occupy betel field to extract precious stones. He added that they would inform the concerned authority in Dhaka for taking necessary steps.

Ujjal Mehedi, a correspondent of Bengali national daily 'Prothom Alo' reported that 9 July he saw two young indigenous men on the spot who are repairing the fencing of betel field. A group of young people in tent are guarding one side of the garden and another group of people are protecting other side of garden. Delowar Lamin, an indigenous youth, informed that they are protecting garden by guarding in turns since after the incident of 18 June night. He also alleged that neither police nor local administration come forward for helping them.

Delowar Lamin said that the next day after the incident he on behalf of indigenous people filed a case against Muslim Uddin along with his two sons and two other people with Goainghat police station. But the police recorded it as general diary (GD) instead of case.

It is learnt that Khasi indigenous people are traditionally the owner of betel field. The present landlord Nerula Tongsong is paying revenue as an owner of the land. She paid revenue of Chailakhel mouza this year against the receipt no. 795496. She expressed that they are now in fear. On the other, Ujjal Mehedi reported that he went to Muslim Uddin's house on 9 July, but Shahin Alam was not found there. However, Muslim Uddin claimed that his son Shahin Alam bought these 10 acres of land by 7 lakh taka. In response to a question OC of Goainghat police station said that police took initiative to reconcile incident between two parties.

Modhupur eco-park wall would not be constructed

Says Raja Devaisish Roy at view-exchange meeting in Modhupur

On 11 July 2008 Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Raja Devasish Roy attended a view exchange meeting with local indigenous people at Dokhala Rest House of Modhupur upazila in Tangail district. The view-exchange meeting was organised by Joyenshahi Adivasi Parishad with its president Ajoy Mree in the chair. Former member parliament and indigenous leader Promode Mankin and general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Sanjeeb Drong were also present at the meeting where more than 500 indigenous people from 60 villages in Modhupur area participated. Indigenous people raised their problems regarding eco-park, national park, social forestry, forest cases filed against them, quota reservation in educational institutions and jobs etc.

Raja Debashish Roy assured the representatives of indigenous people that Modhupur eco-park wall would not be constructed. He said that postponing construction of eco-park wall, the fund for construction of wall was already transferred to other project. It is mentionable that indigenous people have been protesting against the construction of wall since 2001 as it hampers their livelihood.

Devasish also said that the government was thinking about preservation of indigenous people's quota in the local government polls and introduction of forest administrations that would include locals to protect the interest of forest dweller indigenous people.

He added that the present Forest Act would be amended, if required, to protect the interest of indigenous people. He added that earlier, forest-related cases had been filed indiscriminately against indigenous people including children, old people and even dead people. It cannot be allowed to continue. He urged the indigenous people to find out ways to preserve their rights.

Promode Mankin said that indigenous people have been living this area for centuries. Then King of Nathore allotted land for indigenous people. But successive governments since Pakistan regime created problems through its forest department by declaring eco-park, wood-logging, social forestry etc violating the rights of the indigenous people.

Sanjeeb Drong said that problems of indigenous people should be resolved in accordance with international conventions, such as, ILO 107 Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Article 8j of Convention on Biological Diversity etc. Government should understand that forest and bio-diversity cannot be preserved without involvement of indigenous peoples. He also added that there were no Bengali people in Modhupur area during British regime, but only indigenous people of Garo and Koch. Till that time, forest and bio-diversity was intake. But it has gradually been demolished since after the settlement of Bengali people.

Raja Debashish Roy was welcomed by indigenous Garo people with their traditional songs and dances.

Update of Priya Tanchangya killing

It is learnt that rest of the 6 villagers arrested from no. 3 Rubber Bagan area were released. Following the killing of Priya Tanchangya on 27 June allegedly by a group of armed miscreants, 7 Jumma villagers from no. 3 Rubber Bagan area were arrested by joint forces. Among them, Joy Moni Tanchangya was sent to Bandarban jail and other 6 villagers were released later.

Sources also informed that a UPDF supporter named Ashok Kumar Tanchangya from Balaghata under Bandarban sadar upazila was arrested by joint forces on 7 July. But he was released later. It is also learnt that next day on 8 July an armed cadre of UPDF belong to Chakma (name is not available) who came there from Kaukhali upazila under Rangamati district was arrested with arm from Balaghata area in Bandarban by joint forces and as per his statement Ashok Kumar Tanchangya and Bindu Tanchangya were arrested later. A reliable source also confirmed that they were handed over to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and taken to Rangamati district.

Sources said that five PCJSS leaders, namely, Mr. K S Mong, assistant general secretary of central committee of PCJSS and also member of CHT Regional Council; Mr. Sadhuram Tripura, president of Bandarban district committee of PCJSS and also member of CHT Regional Council; Dr. Nilu Kumar Tanchangya, central member of PCJSS and also member of CHT Regional Council; Mr. Bimal Kanti Tanchangya, leader of Bandarban sadar upazila branch of PCJSS and Shambu Kumar Tanchangya, leader of Rowangchari upazila branch of PCJSS who were deliberately charged with the killing of Priya Tanchangya by deceased wife Ms. Chikan Bala Tanchangya got bail from High Court on 13 July 2008.

Resolve CHT issues thru' political means

Speakers tell discussion

The Daily Star, Dhaka, Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) issues should be resolved through political means, speakers at a discussion said yesterday. The Bangalees and hill people should put in joint efforts to solve the problems, they said. Some indigenous people at the meeting alleged that hundreds of acres of their lands are being acquired in the name of development activities.

The discussion titled 'Present situation of CHT and the responsibility of citizens' was held under the banner of 'Worried Citizens' at Mukti Bhaban auditorium in the city, with Prof Akmol Hossain in the chair.

Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers Party of Bangladesh, said the problems in Chittagong Hill Tracts are absolutely political problems. Therefore, the issues should be resolved through political means, he added. He also said the CHT regional council is not functioning properly.

Prof Anu Muhammad of Jahangirnagar University called for giving constitutional recognition to the indigenous people. Comrade Khalequzzaman of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal said the local administration is acquiring hundreds of acres of land in CHT in the name of development. Advocate Gyan Jyoti Chakma said the situation in CHT has worsened after the caretaker government took over. He also accused the local administration of remaining indifferent to the suffering of indigenous people. Ruhin Hossain Prince of Communist Party of Bangladesh and Samir Kanti Dewan, a resident of CHT, also spoke.

The Kapaeeng Watch- E-mail: kapaeeng.watch@gmail.com, kapaeeng.watch@micico.ch

Resolve CHT issues thru' political means

2008-07-12T12:57:00.001-07:00

Source-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=45518

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) issues should be resolved through political means, speakers at a discussion said yesterday.

The Bangalees and hill people should put in joint efforts to solve the problems, they said.

Some indigenous people at the meeting alleged that hundreds of acres of their lands are being acquired in the name of development activities.

The discussion titled 'Present situation of CHT and the responsibility of citizens' was held under the banner of 'Worried Citizens' at Mukti Bhaban auditorium in the city, with Prof Akmol Hossain in the chair.

Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers Party of Bangladesh, said the problems in Chittagong Hill Tracts are absolutely political problems. Therefore, the issues should be resolved through political means, he added.

He also said the CHT regional council is not functioning properly.

Prof Anu Muhammad of Jahangirnagar University called for giving constitutional recognition to the indigenous people.

Comrade Khalequzzaman of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal said the local administration is acquiring hundreds of acres of land in CHT in the name of development.

Advocate Gyan Jyoti Chakma said the situation in CHT has worsened after the caretaker government took over.

He also accused the local administration of remaining indifferent to the suffering of indigenous people.

Ruhin Hossain Prince of Communist Party of Bangladesh and Samir Kanti Dewan, a resident of CHT, also spoke.

Land grabbing continues in CHTs

2008-06-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Reports by Human Rights Hill Watch

Reports on land grabbing in Kobakhali, Baro Merung, Choto Merung and Rengkarjya Mouzas under Dighinala Upazilla in Khagrachari district

In the second week of February 2008, a team of the Hill Watch Human Rights Forum visited Kobakhali Mouza, Baro Merung Mouza, Choto Merung Mouza and Rengkarjya Mouza under Dighinala Upazila in Khagrachari district to verify the allegations of land grabbing. The team spoke to the victims, eyewitnesses and village elders, and went to the sites where land grabbing took place. It saw many newly-built settler houses on the lands of the Jumma people.

There is no doubt that land grabbing is rather widespread and systematic in the area. The military is directly involved in the whole process: it assists and incites the settlers to grab the Jumma people's lands and provide protection to them. On the other hand, the Jumma people cannot protest because of fear of torture, false cases and jail. From the interviews and the pattern of land grabbing, it is quite clear that the settlers could not have captured the lands if there had been no support from the military.

Synopsis of the findings:

A) Kobakhali Mouza No. 53
According to Dipankar Chakma, Headman of Kobakhali Mouza, an estimated 300 acres of land have been illegally occupied by the settlers since the declaration of the state of emergency on 11 January 2007. Of these lands, 4.6 acres belong to Tarun Tapan Dewan and 1.28 acres to Nilamomy Dewan in Raishya Muni Para. Till February 25, 2008, the settlers built 12 houses on their lands. More houses were under construction.

The settlers also illegally occupied lands belonging to Punnyo Charan Chakma's (70) two sons Phora Chakma and Gogol Kanti Chakma, Probin Chakma (40) s/o Moti Kumar Chakma, Ananda Moy Chakma (30) s/o Chitro Chakma, Mongol Kumar Chakma (35) s/o Sundor Kumar Chakma and Doya Moy Chakma.

B) Baro Merung Mouza No. 30
At least 24.5 acres of land have been grabbed in Baro Merung Mouza between first week of November 2007 and February 2008. During the time of the HWHRF visit, the settlers were making attempts to grab more lands from Ananda Chakma, Teizya Chakma, Kamal Bikash Chakma, Binoy Chakma s/o Krishna Pratap Chakma, Sumoti Ranjan Chakma /so Surjo Mohan Chakma, Nihar Bindu Chakma s/o unknown, Joto Joti Chakma s/o Karunamoy Chakma, Koboj Chandra Chakma s/o Krishna Pratap Chakma, Shukra Charjo Chakma, Punnyo Mohan Chakma (62) s/o late Gulokana Chakma (2 acres), Mano Ranjan Chakma (35) s/o late Ashwini Kumar Chakma (3 acres), Ramani Kumar Chakma (70) s/o late Balaram Chakma (4 acres), Krishna Ranjan Chakma (37) s/o Chitra Kumar Chakma (2 acres).

C) Choto Merung Mouza No. 29
Land grabbing have been taking place in Bajey Chara area under Choto Merung Mouza since January 2008. Settlers led by Abul Hossain (60) from Moddyo Betchari have grabbed 15 acres from five Jummas. On 16 February 2008, Shushil Jibon Chakma, Headman of Choto Merung Mouza, submitted a memorandum to Raja Debashish Roy, Special Aide to the Chief Adviser in charge of Chittagong Hill Tracts Ministry. But that could not prevent settlers from forcibly occupying Jumma people's land.

D) Reng Karjya Mouza No. 28
The settlers have occupied 41 acres of land (8 acres first class arable land and 33 acres third class hilly land) in three villages of Chongrachari area such as Joyonto Kumar Para, Indra Kumar Para and Kanchan Banchi Para. The settlers have already built houses and settled down.

Detailed information

A. Kobakhali Mouza, Kobakhali Union, Dighinala

1. Tarun Tapan Dewan's 4.6 acres of land grabbed
In the month of September 2007, the illegal settlers led by Habib Leader (70) from Pablakhali cluster village grabbed 4.6 acres of land belonging to Tarun Tapan Dewan (50) s/o Shanti Moy Dewan in the village of Rohishyamuni Para. Of these lands, 4 acres belong to third class category and the rest .60 acre falls into second class category of land.

The settlers have erected six huts on the grabbed land. At the time of writing this report on 25 February, it has been learnt that the settlers are making more houses.

When protested, Habib Leader threatened Mrs. Gitanjoli Chakma, wife of the land owner, saying: "We will destroy all of your orchards and get the police to put you to jail." About two weeks earlier, a written complaint was lodged with the UNO against the grabbing of his land. Hearings are scheduled 25 February at his office for.

Mr. Tarun Tapan Dewan owned this piece of land by virtue of settlement grant. His settlement case number is 520/84-85. On the said land, he has teak trees planted in 1976 and jackfruit and mango trees planted in 1968. Previously, he had built his homestead there, but afterwards he settled down in low land for it was advantageous for plough cultivation.

2. Nilamoy Dewan's 1.28 acres of land grabbed
In the month of September 2007, the illegal settlers led by Habib Leader (70) from Pablakhali cluster village grabbed 1.28 acres out of 6 acres of second class category land belonging to Nilamoy Dewan (80) s/o Ananda Mohan Dewan. The settlers have already built 6 huts on his land and more houses are under construction.

The settlement of the said piece of land was granted in the year 1965, the Khatian number of which is R-4. The owner has grown mango, jackfruit and coconut trees on the land. The caretaker of his land is Tarun Tapan Dewan.

3. More people's land grabbed
Some other persons whose lands have also been taken away in Kobakhali are Punnyo Charan Chakma's (70) two sons Phora Chakma and Gogol Shanti Chakma, Prabin Chakma (40) s/o Moti Kumar Chakma, Ananda Moy Chakma (30) s/o Chitra Chakma, Mongol Kumar Chakma (35) s/o Sundor Kumar Chakma and Doya Moy Chakma.

Dipankar Chakma, Headman of Kobakhali Mouza No. 53, said an estimated 300 acres of land in plot No. 888 lying contiguous to the camp have been occupied by the settlers. The process of illegal land grabbing continues.

B. Baro Merung Mouza No. 30, Merung Union, Dighinala

1. Roy Bahadur Chakma's 2 acres grabbed
In the first week of November 2007, Saidul, Rafiq and Momin from Jamtoli Para forcibly occupied 2 acres of third class land belonging to Roy Bahadur Chakma (30) of village Bhoirafa. The land, under Khatian No. R-33, is registered in the name of his father Lonkeshwar Chakma.

The settlers have built houses on this land and settled down. There was resistance at the time of illegal grab, but the settlers occupied the land hoisting black and red flags. The army personnel provided support to them.

The owner has different kinds of fruit trees grown on the said land including plum and blackberry. In 1986, Roy Bahadur and his family were compelled to flee to India for fear of military raids. After spending 12 years as refugees in India, they ultimately returned to their village in 1997 only to find that nothing was left. Plot to grab their land continued. As part of this plot, in November last year the settlers filed murder and rape cases with Dighinala police station against them. But the fact of the matter is that the settlers quarreled among themselves, and filed the case groundlessly against 8 - 9 Jummas including the owner of the land (Roy Bahadur Chakma). To avoid arrest they had to live in hiding for 2 - 3 months. Army and police personnel searched for them.

He has 5 kanis of land (2 acres) in another plot near the hill. But he cannot till this land. He cannot go to his land for fear of the settlers. Therefore he has to lease out the land to a sharecropper (settler).

He appealed to five chairmen for the restoration of his land, but received no justice. On the other hand, since he had to live in hiding, he could not file a law suit in a regular court.

At the time of illegal grab, the army personnel created a fear psychosis among the Jummas by searching for the accused. This compelled the owner of the land to go into hiding, and taking this advantage the settlers occupied his land. The settlers are now enjoying the fruit orchard and trees grown by Roy Bahadur Chakma.

2. Borpeda Chakma's 2 acres of land occupied
In the first week of November 2007, two settlers from Jamtoli - Saidul Islam and Ashadul Islam - forcibly occupied 2 acres of third class land belonging to Borpeda Chakma (35) s/o Din Kumar Chakma of Bhoirafa village. The Khatian No. of the land plot is R-34.

There were protests at the time of illegal grab, but to no avail. There are many kinds of fruits and other trees including mango, jackfruit and teak grown by him.

Borpeda Chakma's family became refugees in India in 1986 and came back in 1997. His family holds the Ration Card No. 0590.

On 11 February 2008, Din Mohan Chakma, Borpeda Chakma's father, lodged a complaint with the Dighinala Nirbarhi Officer against the illegal grab. In the complaint, he stated: "On the morning of 7 February 2008, Thursday, the people mentioned on the margin (of the complaint) along with a group of 10 - 15 persons of their community encroached upon my orchard and cut and then took away teak and other trees. I raised objection against such unlawful action, but they paid little heed to it. They are claiming that the orchard and the land belong to them. I apprised the local chairman of the matter, but to no avail.

"Therefore, I do hereby appeal to you to issue injunction until a judgment is delivered after an on-the-spot inquiry by the authority concerned to determine the veracity of their claim."

Acting on his appeal, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer issued a notice on 13 February and fixed 10 March 2008 for hearing. The notice further stated: "It is to be mentioned that the second party (to the case, ie, the settlers) must refrain from cutting trees until further order."

But despite injunction, the settlers continue to occupy the land and cut the trees.

It has been learnt that back in 2005 the settlers had made another attempt to grab this piece of land of Borpeda Chakma. At that time the settlers built houses on that land. But the administration dismantled the houses in the face of huge protests.

3. Attempt to grab Ananda Chakma's 5 acres and Teijya Chakma's 2 acres through forged documents

A settler woman named Chaleha Khatun from Jamtoli has been making attempts to grab five acres of third class land belonging to Ananda Chakma (40) s/o Mano Ranjan Chakma, a resident of Bhoirafa (Nuopara). [The name Jamtoli is given by the settlers who formed this village after grabbing Jumma's land. Actually, the land where Jamtoli village stands today is part of greater Bhoirafa or Nuopara.] He inherited this land from his grandfather Sundojjya Chakma. The Khatian No. / Holding No. of this plot of land is 46 and the year settlement was granted is 1960 - 61. Boundary marks: to the north: Nishi Kanta Chakma; to the south: Rubber plantation (of Purno Moni); to the east: Kalaketu hill; to the west: plough land of Bogo. Ananda Chakma grew jackfruit, teak, gamari, mango, litchi and banana plantation on his land.

In order to occupy this piece of land belonging to Ananda Chakma, one Abdur Rahman obtained forged documents. Now he is dead. But his wife Chaleha Khatun masquerading as his inheritor filed a civil suit in the court of Khagrachari district Judge against Ananda Chakma. The case No. is 241/2007. The Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, who is the ex-officio civil judge, in an order signed on 10 January 2008 stated: "Let the copies of the appeal be sent to the defendants, and ask them to submit written statement. Next date (for hearing) 09/03.08, statement of the defendants."

An on-the-spot inquiry revealed that Ananda Chakma has grown different kinds of fruits and forest trees on the said land and that the boundary marks stated in the forged documents of Chaleha Khatun are at variance with that of his. This proves that the motive of filing the law suit is to grab his land with the help of forged documents.

In the petition Mrs. Chaleha Khatun's lawyer stated: "The petitioner's (Mrs. Khatun) husband was among the settlers who were rehabilitated with five acres of land by late president Ziaur Rahman." She prayed for injunction under clause 1/2 of the order No. 39 of the Civil Procedure Code.

Ananda Chakma said in the first week of November last year a group of about 30 - 40 settlers, armed with dao and axes, went to occupy that land. But in the face of organised resistance from the villagers, they had to retreat.

Teijya Chakma's 2 acres
Mrs. Chaleha Khatun has also been making attempt to capture 2 acres of land belonging to Teijya Chakma (40) s/o Borchoga Chakma. His land lies contiguous to Ananda Chakma. Teijya Chakma also hails from Bhoirafa. There are different species of trees on his land grown by him.

Mrs. Chaleha Khatun in her petition referred to him as co-defendant in addition to Ananda Chakma. This means that she filed the law suit claiming the ownership of 5 acres of land belonging to Ananda Chakma and 2 acres of land belonging to Teijya Chakma.

4. Surjo Sen Chakma's 4 acres of land grabbed in Choto Betchari
In July 2007, the illegal settlers occupied 4 acres of registered land belonging to Surjo Sen Chakma (70) of Porabari village in Betchari area. Afterwards, on the 19th day of Srabon (Bangla calendar, July-August) they built houses on the grabbed land.

The army personnel provided support to the settlers. Three settler families illegally settled down on his land. There is an Ansar post within 50 yards of the said land while Betchari Army Sub-zone lies within 70-80.

The settlers said a total of 25 settler families will be re-settled in Choto Betchari area. There is government permission in this regard.

5. Attempt at grabbing 5.2 acres of land belonging to Ananda Mohan Chakma in Choto Betchari
In June - July 2007, settlers led by Tara Mian (40) of Rafique Nogor made several attempts to grab 1.20 acres of first class land and 4 acres of third class land belonging to Ananda Mohan Chakma (63) s/o Doya Mohan Chakma of village Ghulchari in Choto Betchari area.

The settlers made the attempts in an organised way. However, Ananda Chakma resisted every attempt. In one of such attempts, about 30 - 35 settlers came to his land to cut shrubs. A little later, a group of army personnel from Betchari sub-zone reached there to provide protection to the settlers. The owner of the land went up to the soldiers and said: "This land belongs to us. We don't have any other land besides this. We cannot leave this land." The settlers kept on cutting shrubs as long as the army personnel stayed there. When the army personnel left, the settlers too stopped the work and left.

6. Attempt at grabbing 1.48 acres of land belonging to Kamal Bikash Chakma in Choto Betchari
In June - July 2007, settlers made attempts to capture 1.48 acres of first class land belonging to Kamal Bikash Chakma (24) s/o late Joyonta Kumar Chakma of village Ghulchari in Choto Betchari area. The holding number of his land is R - 60. He had bought this piece of land from Kodeya Chakma (now diseased) in 1980. After rigorous protests, further attempts have been staved off for the time being. The attempts to grab his land and that of Ananda Chakma mentioned earlier were made at the same time.

7. Attempt at grabbing 12 acres of land belonging to 5 persons in Choto Betchari
On 14 and 15 February 2008, the settlers attempted to grab 12 acres of land belonging to five individual Jummas in Noapara of Choto Betchari. They are Binoy Chakma s/o Krishna Pratap Chakma, Sumoti Ranjan Chakma s/o Surjo Mohan Chakama, Nihar Bindu Chakma s/o unknown, Jogot Joti Chakma /so Karuna Moy Chakma and Koboj Chandra Chakma s/o Krishna Pratap Chakma.

A settler named Siraj Mian has already erected a hut on the land of Binoy Chakma. The Betchari sub-zone camp was located near Betchari bazaar (market place) earlier. In August - September last year, it was moved one kilometer south to Bajamorong area in order to facilitate settlement of the settlers.

8. 16.5 acres of land belonging to four persons grabbed
In June - July 2007, illegal settlers from Bot-toli village (Rashik Nogor) forcibly occupied 6.5 acres of first class land and about10 acres of third class land belonging to four individual Jummas. Of these lands, 2 acres of first class and 3 of acres third class hilly land (settlement case No. 279/80-81) belong to Buddha Moni Chakma (47) s/o late Phogirey Chakma of Tara Charan Karbari Para, 1.20 acres of first class and 3 of acres third class land to Bilati Chakma (50) s/o late Megheraj Chakma of Ghulchari village, 2 acres of first class and 2 of acres third class land to Lalit Kumar Chakma (55) s/o late Rangamua Chakma of Ghulchari village (settlement case No. 09/99), and 1.30 acres of first class and 2 of acres third class land to Sadhan Chakma (35) s/o Bandara Chakma.

They had enjoyed these lands for many generations, but since they became internal refugees in 1971, they were not able to obtain settlement rights.

A group of 30 - 40 settlers led by ex-member of District Council, Yunus (35) s/o A. Mannan, Sirajul Islam (35) s/o late Majed Ali and his brother Nazrul Islam (33) entered their lands in a violent mood and drove the Jummas from that land. The Jumma owners of the lands were working in the field at the time. The settlers obstructed the Jummas and threw their ploughs out of the field. Seeing the settlers' aggressive mood, the Jummas fled away in fear. Thereafter, on 23 July 2007, they appealed to the Dighinala Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (Sub-district Executive Officer) for settlement of the dispute over their lands.

Before the illegal occupation of the said land, on 24 July 2007, the sub-zone commander of Betchari (military) in a notice issued under his signature ordered the Jumma land owners to appear in the camp in person on 26 July 2007. When they appeared in the camp on the stipulated date, the commander told them that "you don't have documents. All these lands belong to the Bengalis. They have documents pertaining to the settlement of these lands." Having said that, the camp commander forced the four Jumma land owners to put their signature on a (blank) paper.

A few days later, the Dighinala zone office through a notice summoned both the Jumma land owners and the settlers (early in August). Major Qamrul Hassan, the notorious second-in-command, was present there. The Jumma land owners said: "Sir, they (the settlers) want to take away our first class lands with their Jomabondi (land documents) for third class land." This prompted a settler to cut in. He said "Sir, attempts are being made at UNO office to settle this dispute." Then Major Qamrul said: "If the UNO fails to settle the matter, come to me." Having said that, he dismissed the meeting.

In the meantime, during the rainy season the settlers sowed paddy on the said land and harvested the produce. On 21 February 2008, a data collector of this report visited the area and found that the settlers had already sowed paddy for the winter season.

The UNO called a meeting for 29 January 2008 to sort out the problem relating to the said land (notice of 27-01-2008, memo No. 114). When the Jumma land owners appeared on that day, he verbally fixed 25 February 2008 for another meeting.

The Jumma land owners alleged that so far the UNO have fixed the hearing date nine times. But no hearing has taken place till now. Each time they go to the UNO office, they have to spend an aggregate of Taka 400, which included cost of conveyance. They termed it nothing but total harassment and conspiracy.

The land owners said that they had told the UNO: "Sir, we don't have any other land apart from this. We are living miserably. The Bengalis have harvested the rainy season. Tell us what to do, but we will begin work in the field."

To this the UNO said: "No, no, you don't go to the field; just wait, I will find a solution."

Then they said: "Sir, they (settlers) are already sowing paddy." The UNO gave comfort to them and said: "All right, let them sow. There is no problem; if you get the land, then you will become the owner of the land along with the paddy." However, he did not say what will happen if they don't get the land back. On the other hand, the settlers harvested paddy during the rainy season and sowed again for the winter season.

The description of boundary marks stated in the Jomabondi form with the support of which the settlers are claiming the said first class land is at variance with that of the land they have occupied. Moreover, according to their Jomabondi, their lands are supposed to belong to third class category. On the contrary, the lands that they have grabbed and claim to be their own belong to first class category. Even the description of boundary marks is also unclear and vague. For example, in the Jomabondi given to Fazlu Mian the boundary marks are stated like this: north: Hafez, south: road; east: Dulal, west: Hasmot Khan. It is difficult to make out what they have meant by merely referring to Hafez, Dulal and Hasmot Khan. And there is no mention as to which road lies in the south. Therefore, there can be no doubt that these documents are forged.

An Ansar post has been set up near the land of Lalit Kumar Chakma to facilitate land grabbing.

9. Plot to grab Shukracharjo Chakma's 2 acres of land
On return to the country in 1997 at the end of a prolonged refugee life, Mr. Shukracharjo Chakma of Tara Charan Karbari Para village in Merung found that his 2 acres of land was being occupied by four settler families. The government returned the land to him as per agreement reached with the repatriated refugees, ejected Ain Uddhin, Rahman Mistri, Shahadat Ali and Achim Uddin from his land and resettled them elsewhere. The government provided Taka 4,000 to each of them as compensation.

When, after getting his land back, Shukracharjo began developing his land and planting trees, a settler named Shahar Ali from North Shashik Nogor filed a case with Dighinala UNO office claiming ownership of the said land. In the case other four person's names were also referred to as defendants in addition to Shukracharjo. His son Lakshmani Chandra Chakma and his relative Birajmoni Chakma were among those. (Case No. 25/2002). After hearing the case, the UNO on 18 December 2002 delivered his judgment in favour of Shuracharjo Chakma. In the judgment order (memo No. 1463) he stated: "Inquiry report has been obtained from Upazila Revenue Officer. Examined. A review of the inquiry report reveals that the settlement grant lands belonging to Ranga Chakma and Hridoy Basanta Chakma of Baro Merugn Mouza No. 30 are different. Ranga Chakma has 2 acres of third class land registered under Holding No. 150 in Baro Merung Mouza No. 30. The concerned Mouza chief has submitted report stating that Ranga Chakma obtained settlement in 1966-67. Let the Upazila Revenue Officer be ordered to hand over to Shukracharjo Chakma the possession of his father's land due to him and to hand over possession to Shahar Ali of what is due to him."

Yet, Shahar Ali did not stop there. He filed a criminal case in the court of Khagrachari cognizance court against 6 persons including Shukracharjo Chakma and his two sons, Lakshmi Muni Chakma and Anil Chakma (case No. Non GR 296/2002 in ref. of 332/6 /21/1/2003. Ref: Dighinala Thana's non FIR prose: No. 14/02 dated 13-11-2002 under sections 107/114/114(c) of the procedure code and section 427 of the Penal Code Non G.R. 296/2002).

In a judgment in the abovementioned case, the First Class Magistrate, S. M. Mahbubur Rahman stated: "Therefore, the state party has failed to prove beyond doubt with facts and evidence the charges brought under section 107 of the Cr. P.C against the Second Party namely, Shukracharjo, Lakshmi Moni, Bichchu Moni, Dhana Lal, Prabhat and Anil." (Serial No. of the order 754/11-06-05).

But Shahar Ali is no quitter. Again he filed another case against Shukracharjo. This time it was a murder case. At the end of the hearing of the said case the First Class Magistrate of Khagrachari Mohammad Shafiul Arif in his judgment stated: "After examining the evidence of the witnesses form both sides and the related documents, it has been found that there is no fear of breach of peace (as far as the second party is concerned). The second party is, therefore, acquitted as per section 119 of the Criminal Procedure Code." (Serial No. of the order: 344/ 12.03.06).

Background
In 1986, Shuracharjo Chakma and his family fell victim to army and settler attacks and fled to Tripura, India. They lived a sub-human life in Takumbari refugee camp and returned to their homeland in 1997 pursuant to an agreement.

His father was killed in a communal attack on their village of Tara Charan Karbari Para and its adjacent areas in 1986. The chief of the village, Mr. Tara Charan Karbari, was also killed in the same attack.

Even though he got his land back after returning from refugee life, the settlers continued to plot to grab his land. Shahar Ali tried to implicate him in various cases. However, he was protected and the illegal occupation of his land could be staved off because the administration was somewhat neutral at that time. But the question is how long will he be able to fight against such harassment? His land has not yet been illegally occupied. But that does not mean that he is being able to enjoy his land. Even now he cannot enter his land in spite of the fact that he has different species of trees including teak planted by him. One may ask: is it not justified to take action against litigious Shahar Ali for harassing innocent people by filing false cases and for being involved in a plot to grab other people's land?

10. The settlers claim ownership of lands of Refugee Rehabilitation Project of Dev Board
In 1998, the Development Board took initiative to rehabilitate 300 Jumma families under the Project of Rehabilitation of Repatriated Refugees. Under this project, 200 families were resettled in Bhaibone Chara, 50 families in Bhoirafa and another 50 families in Ghulchari of Merung. This later 50 families were resettled under Project No. 2. Each of the families was given a total of 6.25 acres of land that comprises 4 acres for rubber plantation and 2.25 acres for horticulture. Therefore, the total land given under Project No. 2 amounted to 312.50 acres. However, 42 settler families are now claiming ownership of 184 acres out of this total. The settlers are residents of Bot-toli Para village.

Members of an "arbitration committee" formed under the auspices of the military called some of the rehabilitated families at Bot-toli village on 8 February and told them that it was they (settlers) who belong to that land. Members of the so-called arbitration committee are Hojjot Ali (55), Mohammad Ali (70) and Ashraful PC (70) from Rashik Nogor village. PC stands for Platoon Commander of VDP.

It needs to be mentioned that the original name of Rashik Nogor is Rashik Naagor Adam. In 1986, when the army and settlers launched large scale communal attacks, the Jummas were forced to leave the village. Thereafter, the settlers illegally occupied the village and renamed it keeping the word "Rashik" while changing the word "Naagor" to "Nogor". Originally, the village was named after the erstwhile UP member Rashik Naagor. He is still alive and his lands are also being occupied by the settlers. He has been practically rendered a destitute.

11. The settlers cut bamboos from Jumma's land
On 20 February 2008, while on a visit to Tara Charan Karbari Para of Baro Merung, this member of the Hill Watch Human Rights Forum saw the settlers taking away bamboos and trees from the hilly lands of the Jumma people after entering deep inside their village. When asked about this, some of the villagers said on condition of anonymity that "they (settlers) don't heed to our objections. As a caretaker government is now ruling the country, we are afraid of talking much. Filing of false cases is common. They also use the army."

Lakshmidhan Chakma (70) of Tara Charan Karbari Para village owns 2 acres of land. He has been enjoying this land for the last 25 years. I saw many settlers including Rahim and Shaha Alam of Bot-toli (Rashik Naagor) taking away bamboos from an eight-acre area near his homestead land.

Pradip Chandra Chakma (55) also has 2 acres of land in this area. He has been in occupation of this piece of land for 20 years. Due to harassment of the settlers it has become difficult for him, like many others, to live there.

12. "Hiyong koleiyo gaalot porey, nawhaang koleiyo gaalot porey" (If I say yes, I get slapped; if I say no, still I get slapped) [1]
Jagadish Chakma (38) s/o late Shanti Kumar Chakma of Ghulchari village in Baro Merung said he has 1.60 acres of first class paddy land under Holding No. 416 in Rashik Naagor Adam (now occupied by settlers). When he came back in 1997 after ending a refugee life in India, he found that the settlers were occupying his land. He filed a case with the Executive Officer of Dighinala Upazila (UNO), but to no avail. When he enters his land, he is harassed. So he has to lease out his land to Manek Mishtri, a settler, on a sharecropping basis at below market price. He earns merely Taka 1,200 yearly in this way.

When asked about the sharecropping contract, he said "Hiyong koleiyo gaalot porey, nawhaang koleiyo gaalot porey" (If I say yes, I get slapped; if I say no, still I get slapped). This means that the income from sharecropping lease is so meager that it falls much below the market price of Taka 1,000 per Kani of land.

He further said the settlers have kept lots of lands under their control in this way. If the land owners themselves till the land, the settlers destroy the paddy by letting their cattle to graze there. The settlers also harass them in many other different ways. This makes tilling unprofitable and compels the land owners either to mortgage or to lease out their lands on sharecropping basis to the settlers. Unable to put up with such harassments, many land owners in that area had to sell away their lands to the settlers.

13. Attempt at grabbing land belonging 4 Jummas
Two settlers, Atiar (50) and Daud (33), are making attempts to grab 11 acres of land belonging to 4 Jummas in Ghulchari village. They are Punnyo Mohan Chakma aged 62 s/o late Gulokana Chakma (2 acres); Mano Ranjan Chakma aged 35 s/o late Ashwini Kumar Chakma (3 acres); Ramani Kumar Chakma aged 70 s/o late Balaram Chakma (4 acres); and Krishna Ranjan Chakma aged 37 s/o Chittra Kumar Chakma (2 acres). All the lands belong to third class category.

Punnyo Mohan Chakma has settlement documents for his land. He pays Dakhila (land revenue) against the said plot of land. He has his homestead there as well. In the end of January, Atiar and Daud entered his land and cleared shrubs. On 19 February, they came and cut trees and took them away. Punnyo Mohan Chakma has teak, Koroi, jackfruit, mango, guava trees and plantain on his land. When protested, the settlers told him that the government had given that land to them.

Mano Ranjan Chakma also has different kinds of trees on his 3-acre land. When he entered his land to collect firewood, the settlers prevented him. This happened on 10 or 11 February.

Ramani Mohan Chakma's son Hengotya (27) was also prevented by settler Atiar when he went to their pineapple garden to do weeding. Atiar also said that that piece of land belonged to him and that he has documents for it. This incident took place in the last week of January (2008). At present Atiar is clearing shrubs in order to grab the said land.

Krishna Ranjan Chakma also grew teak, banana, pineapple, mango and jackfruit trees on his 2-acre land. Now Atiar is claiming his land as well and is preventing Krishna Ranjan Chakma and his family members from entering their land. Atiar had been clearing shrubs on their land till the writing of this report on 21 February.

Landgrabbing in Baro Merung Mouza before the state of emergency

1. First class land belonging to a returnee Jumma refugee grabbed
Hemonto Chakma aged 45 s/o late Borpeda Chakma alias Hengotya of village Bhoirafa (Nuopara) Baro Merung Mouza No. 30, Merung Union, Dighinala.

Hemonto Chakma inherited .40 acre of first class land which his father Borpeda reclaimed in 1960 - 61. In 1986, he, like many others, fled to India for fear of military and settler attack. After spending many years in Takumbari refugee camp in subhuman condition, he returned home in 1 April 1997 through Tobolchari transit camp. On his return, he found that his land had been illegally occupied. A settler has dug a pond over that piece of land.

Documents obtained from Hemonto Chakma show that in a judgment on 24 July 1985 the then Dighinala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (memo No. 295/ Rehabilitation) wrote: "This is hereby notified to both the plaintiff and the defendant that the plaintiff had enjoyed .40 acre of land for generations.

"Therefore, in the interest of peaceful co-existence and given the plaintiff's enjoyment for generations, this piece of land shall remain in his possession. The defendant is forbidden to enter the said land. Defiance of the order shall be dealt with necessary legal actions."

Clearly, Kauser Bhuiyan (75) s/o late Halim Bhuiyan, the then defendant or now the land grabber, made his first attempt to grab that land back in 1985.

After returning from refugee camp, Hemonto Chakma lodged a fresh case with Dighinala Land Office claiming ownership of the said land. The Land Office, it is learnt, gave judgment in his favour. But the illegal occupant again moved the case to the district headquarter. Hemonto Chakma said so far he spent over Taka one lakh (one hundred thousand) to pursue the case. Yet, he did not get his land back. Since he has run out of money at the moment, he has refrained from visiting Gyana Joti Chakma, his legal counselor. On the other hand, the illegal occupant cultivates fish in the pond dug in the said land and meets the cost of pursuing the case with parts of the proceeds earned from sale of the fish.

2. Settler village and a mosque over Niti Kumar Roaza's land
The settlers have founded a village and built a mosque after illegally occupying 5 acres of third class land belonging to Niti Kumar Roaza in the village of Bhoirafa (Nuopara). The Kobuliat form number of his land is 16, settlement case number 18/75-76 and Khatian/Holding number 31.

In the Kobuliyat form, which has been issued from Rangamati Deputy Commissioner's office, the following sentence is written: "this Kobuliyat shall be valid from 12 July 1979 till the date when next survey is conducted."

The settlers grabbed this land in 1981. At present there are about 50 to 55 settler houses on that land. Besides, the settlers have built a mosque there. Among the settler elders are Muslim Uddin (50), chairman, Merung UP, Rafiqul Islam (50) and Mobarok (70).

The land owner has paid land tax up to 12 June 2007 (against the said piece of land). Now Niti Kumar Roaza is deceased. His son Chuni Lal Roaza (40) is trying to restore the land. The land owner became refugee in 1986 and returned afterwards. He has filed a case to get the land back. The government offered compensation in exchange for the land. But Chuni Lal Roaza turned it down.

3. Land belonging to a returnee Jumma refugee grabbed
In 1986, settlers grabbed 86 decimals of first class land belonging to Purno Ratan Chakma aged 25 s/o Dhuma Chakma of Bhoirafa (Nuopara) village when he became a refugee in India. Purno Ratan Chakma's grandfather Rugesh Chandra Chakma alias Bujya purchased this land from Prahlad Tripura, the original owner, on 8 June 1970. The land holding number is 284, plots 137, 136 and 164. Mutation of the land has not yet been done. However, he has got the purchase paper documents. Now a case is pending over title of the land.

At present Gorwar aged 30 s/o Siraj Uddin, a settler from Jamtoli village occupied a part of the said land after digging a pond (20 decimal). The rest of the land is lying vacant. But when the land owner enters his land, the settlers raise objection.

C. Choto Merugng Mouza (No. 29), Merung UP, Dighinala Thana

1. Land grabbing in Bajeychara
The process of grabbing Jumma people's land in Bajeychara began in January 2008. Abul Hossain (60) from Moddyom Betchari is leading the land grabbing attempts. Such attempts continued until this report was written on 21st February. On 16 February 2008, on behalf of the people of Choto Merung Mouza No. 29, Headman Suchil Jibon Chakma submitted a memorandum to Barrister Debashish Roy, Special Assistant in charge of Chittagong Hill Tract Ministry. Despite that, land grabbing attempts continued. Below are the particulars and land description of the victims of land grabbing attempts:

- Indra Kumar Chakma s/o late Pula Chakma. Land holding number R 30/40. Quantity of land: 4 acres, third class. The settlers have built houses on his land.

- Kishta Nath Chakma s/o late Jabottya Chakma. Registered: R/ holding No. 35/79. 2 acres, third class.

- Kamal Dhan Chakma s/o Jabottya Chakma. Registered: R/ holding No. 5/72. 2 acres, Third class.

- Ornondo Chakma s/o late Kalamuo Chakma. Registered: R/ holding No. 115/183. 5 acres, Third class.

- Birashya Chakma s/o late Haja Boidyo Chakma. Registered: R/ holding No. 18/23. 2 acres, Third class.

D. Rengkarjya Mouza (No. 28): Headman: Purno Kumar Chakma, Merung UP, Dighinala Thana

1. Land grabbing in 3 villages in Chongrachari
In January 2007, the illegal settlers began, with the help of the military, grabbing Jumma people's lands in three villages. The villages are Joyonto Kumar Para, Indro Kumar Para and Kanchon Banchi Para.

The Jumma victims said the military had taken initiatives to implant 16 settler families on hilly land as well as plough land of the Jumma people in these three villages. The settlers under the leadership of Akar Ali Leader (45) s/o Javed Ali are now making attempts to occupy that area. Early in January last year, a group of settlers under his leadership entered those three villages and began cutting shrubs and constructing houses. At that time a contingent of army personnel was present there to provide support to the settlers. The settlers continued their work until the soldiers stayed there. When the soldiers went away, they too went away. But by that time they had built nine houses.

Due to the presence of the military, the Jummas did not dare to protest against the land grabbing. But after the military personnel and the settlers had left, they destroyed those houses. The next day, the settlers knew about it and Akbor Ali Leader filed a case with Dighinala Thana (police station) against an unspecified number of Jummas naming six of them. They are Padma Lochon Chakma (40) s/o Joyonto Kumar Chakma, Joyonto Chakma (15) s/o late Bilash Chandra Chakma, Ananta Kumar Chakma (55) s/o Churannya, Talukkey Chakma (30) s/o unknown, Bharat Kumar Chakma s/o unknown and Suniti Chakma s/o unknown.

Victims of land grabbing:

- Buddha Khisha (55) s/o Bharat Chandra Khisha. The Khatian No. of his land is R-140. The land measures 3 acres, Third class. The settlers have already built houses on his land. They have completely destroyed the saplings of various trees including teak, Gamari and blackberry planted by the original owner.

- Muroti Chakma (30) s/o late Narammya Chakma. The settlers have occupied 3 acres of Third class land belonging to him. They have built houses on his land, the Khatian number of which is R-130. He had planted litchi sapling on this piece of land, but the settlers destroyed them.

- Joyonto Chakma (45) and Monju Chakma (38) - two brothers - inherited 6 acres of Third class land after their father died. The land is registered in the name of their father, Chandra Sen Chakma. The Khatian number of this piece of land is R-43. The settlers have already built houses on their and settled down. The owner of the land had planted various fruit trees there, but the settlers have destroyed them completely.

- Monshu Chakma (38) s/o late Piriti Chakma owns 5 acres of Third class land, the Khatian number of which is R-136. The land is registered in the name of his father. The settlers are now clearing shrubs and constructing houses there.

- Joyonto Kumar Chakma (72) s/o late Bharat Chandra Chakma has 5 acres of Third class land which is registered in his name. The Khatian number of this piece of land is R-135. The settlers are making attempts to grab this land.

- Bana Bihari Chakma (40) Joyonto Chakma (35) - two brothers - have 5 acres of Third class land which is registered in the name of their father, late Binagh Chandra Chakma. The Khatian number of the land plot is R-138. The settlers have occupied this land and built 5 houses on it. The land grabbers have been identified as Belayet (40) and Nasir (30). A VDP post and an army post have been set up on that land to provide protection to the settlers at night.

- Pattor Muni Chakma (40) s/o late Pulinya Chakma. His registered land plot measures 3 acres and the Khatian number is R-213. The land is registered in the name of his father Pulinya Chakma. The settlers are clearing shrubs to occupy the land.

- Ananta Kumar Chakam (55) s/o Churannya Chakma. His land, which falls in Third class category, measures 3 acres. Khatian number is R-137. He planted about one thousand teak saplings on this piece of land. But the settlers have destroyed them. The land might be occupied any time.

2. Ranta Moni Chakma's 2 acres of First class land grabbed
In last January (2008), the settlers grabbed 2 acres of First class paddy land belonging to Ratna Moni Chakma. His father Dwitiya Ranjan Chakma had tilled that land since the time of Pakistan until the time of his death. Thereafter, he (Ratna Moni Chakma) cultivated the land until it was grabbed by the settlers. In January, when he went to sow paddy saplings, the settlers prevented him from entering his land and then occupied it. Tthe settlers themselves planted paddy on the said land. When Ratna Moni Chakma tried to recover the land, the settlers too sought help from the military and threatened him with jail and court cases.

Ratna Moni Chakma is an internally displaced person. His family had to live as internal refugees from 1980 to 1997 for fear of army and settler attacks.

3. Shanti Kumar Chakma's 1 acre of First class land grabbed
In January 2008, the settlers occupied 1 acre of First class land belonging to Shanti Kumar Chakma (50) s/o Churanya Chakma. The settlers have sowed paddy on the grabbed land. He had enjoyed that piece of land for the last 50 years.

His family had to live as internal refugees from 1980 to 1997 for fear of army and settler attacks.

4. Bharat Chakma's 5 acres of First class land grabbed
In January 2008, the settlers grabbed 5 acres of First class land belonging to Bharat Chakma (55) s/o Indra Moy Karbari. He had enjoyed this piece of land for the last 50 years. The settlers have sowed paddy after occupying it.

His family had to live as internal refugees from 1980 to 1997 for fear of army and settler attacks.

Report prepared by Hill Watch Human Rights Forum. February 22, 2008.
[1] A Chakma idiom roughly corresponding to "Damned if you do, and damned if you don't."

The CHTs commission Re-activated

2008-06-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Chittagong Hill Tracts
This conference was held in Copenhagen on May 31 and June 1, following up the earlier work of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission, an international body of experts which published a series of reports on the governance and human rights problems of the CHT between 1991 and 2000. The territory had been administered separately during the colonial era, but since independence it has been effectively under the control of the military. Arrangements for local self-government, agreed in 1997, were not implemented, and immigration of settlers from the rest of Bangladesh have progressively diluted the CHT's cultural, linguistic and religious identity. The Copenhagen meeting discussed the present situation, and made decisions on how to proceed, which will be announced shortly.

CHT Commission mission statement
Mission statement of the re-established CHT Commission:

The purpose of the Commission, which is composed of concerned experts from inside and outside Bangladesh, is to promote respect for human rights, democracy, participatory development and land rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including examination of the implementation of the CHT Peace Accord of 1997. It will build on the work already done by the Commission between 1990 and 2001.

Today, events in the CHT become known rapidly worldwide, and the issues are well known in Bangladesh and internationally. They are increasingly of concern to human rights organizations, the media, and all within Bangladesh who are looking for a peaceful future in the CHT based on the preservation of the linguistic, cultural and religious rights of the indigenous inhabitants.

The limited implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord, particularly as regards land rights; the continued violations of human rights in the region; the relentless influx of Bengali settlers, and the oppressive presence of the military, made a compelling case for re-establishing the CHT Commission, decided at the Copenhagen Conference of May 31 and 1 June.

The meeting elected Ms Sultana Kamal, Ms Ida Nicolaisen and Eric Avebury as co-chairs of the Commission.

IJPNUS sumitted a memorandum to UN Secretary General

2008-04-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

To
Mr. Ban Ki Moon
The Secretary General, United Nations Headquarter
1st Avenue, 46th Street. New York, NY 10017.

Dated: April 25, 2008

Sub: - An appeal to save the Indigenous Jumma People of CHT, Bangladesh from extinction.

Your Excellency,

We are a group of Buddhist monks and indigenous Jumma People from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh would like to present our grievous problem faced by the indigenous people of the CHT in Bangladesh.

Backround,
In 1947, at the time of Indo-Pak independence from British rules, the indigenous population of CHTs was 98%. And CHT was merged with Pakistan leaving the indigenous Jumma people at the mercy of the Pakistan Govt. Since then a process of elimination of indigenous people has been started. Presently the population of the indigenous people is 35% and Bengali Muslim population is 65%. If the present process is continued for another two decades, the indigenous populations are bound to vanish and eliminated from the land of CHTs.

In early 1960 the Govt. of Pakistan constructed a hydro-electric dam on the Karnafuli River thereby displacing thousands of indigenous peoples from their ancestral homeland, without proper rehabilitation and compensation.

A Serious and dangerous blow to the indigenous people of CHTs came after the independence of Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh started rehabilitating Bengali settlers in a planned manner right after the independence. In late 1970s the government settled half a million Bengalees in CHTs over the indigenous people’s lands. Since the independence of Bangladesh, several massacres have taken place toward the indigenous Jumma people in CHTs.

With these points elaborated above we would like to bring the following attached points to your Excellency for thoughtful consideration and to take the necessary steps to prevent on

going land grabbing, killings, atrocities, torture, religious persecutions and human rights violations.

CHTs Peace Accord,
Two decades old arms struggle ended by signing a Peace Treaty which is widely known as “CHT Peace Accord”. It was signed on December 2, 1997 between the government of Bangladesh and Parbatya Chattagram Janasamhati Samity (PCJSS) but after a decade the accord yet to be implemented.

Civil & Military enforcement,
Civil and military officials who served in Banderban Hill Districts have taken 1000-1500 acres of land each from the Indigenous Jumma peoples land. Arrangements should be made to return all lands belonging to Indigenous Jumma People.

More than few hundred indigenous people have been arrested since January 2007, often on false arms charges. Many have been tortured and given long and unjust prison terms, and some indigenous Jummas have died in police custody. Ranglai Mro was beaten and tortured before being given a 17 year sentence. It is widely believed that he was targeted for protesting against the eviction of 750 Mro families from their lands to make way for an army training centre.

Military Atrocities,
We have learnt that the military and Para military of the Bangladesh Government are actively involved for all encroachment activities in CHTs. It is a great shame that Major Qamrul Hassan the Sub Zone commander (37 E. Bengal 4 Brigade) of Betchari in Bara Merung who has just returned from Africa and posted in CHTs after completion of his tenure of the UN Peace mission is involved in such nefarious and inhuman activities in CHTS.

Likewise Army officers and commanders in Panchari, Dighinala, Mahalchari, Naniarchar, Jurachari, Baghaichari, Kaukhali and many other parts of CHTs are actively involved in such activities.

Religious persecutions,
Religious persecution and intolerance is high in CHTs Bangladesh. As you are aware the majority of the Indigenous Jumma people are followers of Theravada Buddhism. It has been reported that the settlement of illegal Bengali Muslim’s have taken place in the lands of Buddhist temple Sadhana Tila, Boalkhali Buddha Vihara and Orphanage under Diginala sub-district, Arjo Kuthir at Maischari in Mahalchari sub-district under Khagrachari Hill Tracts.

The government official has ordered not to build any Buddhist temple in Mahalchari. There are persecutions and arrests of Buddhist monks and novices on false charges.

Land-grabbing,
In March 2007 Ruma cantonment acquired about 7,570 acres of ancestral land belonging to indigenous Jumma people for extension of its garrison and ordered more than 400 families to leave the area. In Bandarban district alone, 40,077 acres of land have been given in lease to illegal settlers while a total of 94,066 acres of land were acquired for so-called aforestation projects and 75,686 acres were acquired for establishment of military bases in the district.

In another recent case of land-grabbing, illegal settlers have reportedly taken over 59 acres of land belonging to 17 indigenous Jumma people in Kobakhali Mouza (No-51) under Dighinala police station in Khagrachari district. In an operation lasting from 1st to 15th August 2007, large groups of settlers led by former Union Parishad (UP) member Mohammed Abu Taleb of Hashinchonpur village and former UP member Mohammed Kader of Kobakhali bazaar took control of the hilly lands belonging to Chakma people with the direct assistance of the army, the para military forces and the local Village Defence Party (VDP, Bengali Muslim arms group in village) members.

We have also learnt that illegal land grabbing and settlement of non-resident plain settlers have continued in other parts of the CHT, including Maischari, Guimara, Matiranga, Manikchari, Panchari in Khagrachari district and Naniarchar, Jurachari, Kawkhali, Rajsthali in Rangamati district and many parts of Bandarban district. In Bandarban hundreds of thousands of acres of land have been taken away under various pretexts.

Illegal Settlements,
In June 2007, the military reportedly settled down at least 200 Bengali families at Dhankupya village under Khagrachari district after forcibly evicting 12 indigenous families from their ancestral lands. Earlier, on 8 March 2007, an army camp was set up on the land of Prithiviraj Chakma at the same village to protect the settlers.

You will also be aware about the on- going activities of the Bangladesh military that has unlashed a reign of terror across the CHTs by carrying out extra-judicial killing, arbitrary arrests, illegal detention, lodging false cases and terrorizing the people by frequent raids, military operations, torture, threats and intimidation.

Voter enforcement:-
Under the emergency rules the Caretaker-Government & Election Commission of Bangladesh made national identity card and voters list where most of the indigenous Jumma people are not included. The extremely biased Military rulers, civil servants and other Bengali employees forcefully and with the aim to outnumber the indigenous Jumma people in region have enlisted all illegal settlers in new voter list. This is totally against the two guaranteed rights of indigenous Jumma people’s such as (i) The CHTs regulation of 1900 & (ii) The Peace Accord of 1997. The military officers in collusion with the Bengali civil servants & employees unlawfully issued permanent resident card and land-holding certificates to hundreds of thousands of Bengali outsiders making them eligible to be voters in the CHTs.

Extra-judicial Killing,
On 5 August 2007, Rasel Chakma, son of Paritosh Chakma of Dewan Para village under Naniarchar Upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district was arrested by the security forces and killed in custody. The security forces claimed that he died of a heart attack but the body reportedly bore injury marks of torture.

Earlier, on 3 March 2007, a group of army personnel from Ghilachari camp under Naniachar Thana arrested Suresh Mohan Chakma, son of Phedera Chakma at Choichari village in Rangamati district without any warrant or reason. The victim was tortured at Ghilachari army camp in Rangamati district and he died on 7 March 2007, a day after his released.

Arrest under False Charges,
It has been observed that indigenous Jumma people have been unfairly targeted by the military that they are taking advantage of the Emergency situation. Since the declaration of Emergency on 11 January 2007, at least a few hundred Jumma people have been arrested.

False cases such as extortion, kidnapping, murder etc have been lodged against the arrested Jumma people. During raids, the military planted weapons and ammunition and claimed to have recovered the same from the house of the detained persons to show grounds for arrest. Most cases have been filed under Section 16 (b) of the Emergency Power Rules of 2007, which denies release on bail to the accused during the enquiry, investigation, and trial of the case. Many have been indicted by courts under the arms Act.

Persecution of indigenous leaders,
In July 2007, Satyabir Dewan, general secretary of PCJSS; Ranglai Mro, chairman of Sualok Union Parishad and headman of Sualok Mouza and Bikram Marma, president of Kaptai Upazila PCJSS branch were sentenced to 17 years of jail for each by a court in Chittagong under the arms Act for allegedly possessing illegal arms. Another indigenous leader, Sai Mong Marma, organizing secretary, PCJSS Kaptai upazila branch was sentenced to 10 years in jail under the arms Act. It has been widely alleged that these leaders have been falsely implicated under the Arms Act for protesting against the injustices committed by the Bangladesh military in CHT.

For example, UP chairman Ranglai Mro was targeted for protesting against the eviction of 750 families of the Mro indigenous community from their lands to make way for an army training centre in remote villages of the Bandarban Hill District in December 2006.

On 3 June 2007, human right defender, Santoshhito Chakma alias Bakul (age 52), who also serves as the General Secretary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Jumma Refugee Welfare Association was arrested by the police from the Chengi Square in Khagrachari town. His arrest was totally unlawful and politically motivated. He was arrested when he

He was returning home after attending a meeting of the Task Force on rehabilitation of the returnee Jumma refugees at the Circuit House. The police did not give any reason for his arrest.

On 29 May 2007, Milton Chakma, assistant co-coordinator of the Hill Watch Human rights Forum and also a leader of United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), was arrested from Chengi Bridge in Khagrachari without any arrest warrant. Mr. Chakma was shown arrested on the basis of a first Information Report (FIR) filed by Mohammed Shahidul Islam, Sergeant (N0-3998686) of 24th Bengal Regiment. In the army records, he has been shown arrested on 31 May 2007, although the Bangladesh army had picked him up on 29 May 2007 from Chengi Bridge area. He was implicated in a false murder case.

On 5 May 2007, Tatindra Lal Chakma, central committee member of PCJSS, was arrested in connection with false extortion case filed by Mohammed Fuyad Hussain, manager of Grameen Bank of Babuchara branch with Dighinala police station in Khagrachari district. The military allegedly compelled Mr. Hussain to file the false case against T. L. Chakma. This was proved when the complainant denied involvement with Mr. Chakma before the court and the court granted bail to Mr. Chakma in June 2007. But the bail was cancelled on 23 July 2007 as Mr. Hussain was forced to withdraw his statement under tremendous pressure from the military. Again on 2 August 2007, two false cases of murder have

reportedly been filed against Mr. Chakma with the Dighinala police station to ensure that he is not released from jail. Presently, he has been kept at Khagrachari jail.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southeastern corner of Bangladesh is home to eleven ethnic nationalities who have been living there for centuries. They have their own customs governing land use and management system which is often referred to as traditional land rights by which lands are owned by the whole community. The successive governments of Bangladesh have refused to acknowledge this right of the Jumma people and settled under a state-sponsored transmigration program approximately one million Bengali people on the lands of the indigenous Jumma people. This has had a devastating impact on the Jumma societies and became a perennial source of tension and conflict in CHT.

We consider it is our moral duty to seek yours sympathetic support to prevent these inhuman activities on the indigenous Jumma people in Bangladesh. Hereby, we are making an appeal for immediate implementation of the following demands as a lasting solution of the inhuman problems in CHTs. We also urge to pressure the government of Bangladesh to take the following measures in the interest of the people of the CHTs and for the greater interest of Bangladesh.

1. To implement fully the existing laws;- (i) The CHTs Regulation of 1900, (ii) The CHTs Peace acoord-1997, under the supervision of the United Nation.

2. To prepare a new Voter List in the CHTs region in accordance with the provisions of the said existing laws because the extremely biased Military Rulers, Civil Servants, and other Bengali employees illegally and forcefully have enlisted all illegal settlers in the new voter list.

3. To send a UN Special Rapporteur or Team of Expert to the CHTs Region to investigate all the genocidal crimes committed by the Bangladesh against indigenous Jumma people.

4. To stop Military atrocities and human rights abuses on indigenous people in CHTs;

5. To immediately stop illegal land grabbing and return the illegally occupied lands to their rightful owners;

6. To stop using the Bengali speaking settlers as a tool of national oppression against Indigenous Jumma people and to withdraw all illegal settlers from CHTs.

7. Appointment of indigenous people in all posts under the CHTs local government system.

8. Establishment of international Human Rights Camp in CHTs.

9. Constitutional guarantee for the future safeguard of indigenous people.

Your Excellency please accepts the assurances of my highest consideration.
Yours truly

(Buddha Ratana Bhikkhu)
President
Indigenous Jumma People`s Network, USA

The following reports are enclosed herewith for your kind information
1. The Bureau of Democracy US hunman Rights Report-2007 (attached, 2 pages)
2. Reports of distinguished citizen of Bangladesh (attached, 11 pages)
3. Asian Centre for Human Rights reports (ACHR) (attached, 4 pages)
4. Survival International (attached, 1 page)
5. Bodhi, the links, (attached, 4 pages)
6. Jumma People`s Network, UK, Report (attached, 3 pages)
7. Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (attached, 4 pages)
8. Asian Indigenous & Tribal People’s Network (attached, 3 pages)
9. Some Daily news from Bangladesh (attached, 6 pages)

7 Indigenous Jumma villages burnt down by Bengali settlers in Sajek in CHT

2008-04-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

7 Indigenous Jumma villages burnt down by Bengali settlers in Sajek in CHT

Newly infiltrated Bengali settlers with the direct support of Bangladesh military forces attacked on the 7 villages of indigenous Jumma peoples throughout the 4 kilometre long area from Nursery Para to Gangaram Mukh areas of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) on 20 April 2008 at night. More than 100 houses of indigenous villagers were burnt to ashes. Bengali settlers beat the Jumma villagers including women and children indiscriminately and looted valuables of the houses during the attack. The attack lasted for almost 4 hours from 9.30 p.m. to 1.30 a.m.

Short description of Incident

Recently Bangladesh military forces started settlement programme of newly infiltrated Bengali families along the roadsides of Sajek road from Baghaichari to Gangaram Mukh by forcibly occupying the land owned by the indigenous Jumma people. It is also mentionable that thousands of indigenous Jumma families have been living in this area for decades long. Hence, Jumma villagers of these areas have been protesting against this illegal settlement programme. Despites the protesting, very recently Bengali settlers illegally constructed some houses at Gangaram area on the land owned by Jumma villagers. In addition, on 19 April around 2.00 a.m. a dozen of houses of Jumma villagers of Bhanga Karbari Para were destroyed by the Bengali settlers. On the contrary, on 20 April indigenous Jumma villagers also destroyed s! ome houses of Bengali settlers that constructed couple days ago. In retaliation to this act, the Bengali settlers equipped with sharp weapons started attack on Jumma villages at 9.30 p.m. while Jumma villagers also organised themselves to prevent the attack. At that time, a group of military forces from Baghaihat zone led by commanding officer Lt. Col. Sajid Imtiaz rushed there. However, they did not prevent Bengali settlers from setting fire on Jumma houses. Rather, it is learnt that the army led by one Captain Zabaedur Rahman supplied patrol to Bengali settlers to set fire on Jumma houses. More than 100 houses of Jumma villagers of 7 villages of Jumma people namely Nursery Para, Baibachara, Purba Para, Nangal Mura, Retkaba, Simana para and Gangaram Mukh were completely burnt to ashes. On the contrary, some Bengali settlers were wounded due to prevent by Jumma villagers. Jumma villagers also alleged that Bengali settlers set fire ! on their newly constructed houses to make excuse their brutal attack.

It is also learnt that three Jumma villages adjacent to Baghaihat bazar namely Trishankar Karbari Para, Kachu Adam and Shanti Member Para were also attacked by Bengali settlers. On 21 April at around 10.30 a.m. a group of Bengali settlers encircle the shop of Anunay Chakma (52) of Baghaihat bazar. However, shopkeepers of the market rescued him from physical assault by the Bengali settlers.

It is mentionable that the military forces have increased settlement programme of Bengali settlers in Khagrachari sadar, Mahalchari, Dighinala and Panchari upazilas (sub-district) under Khagrachari district, north district of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region by taking the advantage of State Emergency imposed on 11 January 2007 throughout the country. Two hundred families of Bengali settlers were already settled down on the indigenous people's land in March 2007 at Dantkupya mouza under Khagrachari sadar upazila. A new army camp was also set up there to provide security for Bengali settlers. Hundreds of houses were constructed by Bengali settlers at Gamaridhala, Maischari, Nunchari, Bijitala, Joysen Karbari Para etc. by forcibly occupying hundreds acre of land owned by indigenous Jumma people. Tension has been mounted in Dighinala while military forces tr! ied to settle 812 families of Bengali settlers at Sadhana Tilla of Babuchari mouza in Dighinala upazila in last year. On the other, BNP-led last coalition government undertook programme to settle 10 thousands families of Bengali settlers in Sajek union close to Maini reserved forest. Since imposition of the State of Emergency on 11 January 2007 , military forces resumed this settlement programme occupying indigenous people's land.

Reactions

Different organisations condemned the attack and demanded punishment to the people responsible who ransacked houses at the village. Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad formed a human chain and held a solidarity rally on Dhaka University campus on 22 April 2008 while the Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) brought out a protest procession on 21 April 2008 . Both organisations expressed deep concern over the incident and demanded proper investigation. Jatiya Mukti Council also condemned the attack on the hilly village. In a statement Council President Badruddin Umar and General Secretary Fayjul Hakim demanded punishment to the persons responsible.

Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad (BACSP) organised protest meeting at Dhaka University Campus on 23 April 2008 at 10.30 a.m. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Karuna Moy Chakma, President of BACSP. Among others, teacher of Dhaka University Dr. Sourav Sikder and Mr. Robaet Ferdous, general secretary of Bangladesh Garo Chatra Sangathan Mr, Uuther Samajatra, press secretary of Bangladesh Marma Students Council Mr. Aungyajai Marma, leader of Student Federation Mr. Saju, Hajong student leader Mr. Sahel Hajong and acting general secretary of Hill Students Council Mr. Hiron Mitra Chakma spoke in the meeting. The protest meeting was followed by a procession. Speakers demanded proper compensation for the victims and withdrawal of Bengali settler families from Sajek area.

Government's measures:

Chairman of the Khagrachhari Hill District Council Monindra Lal Tripura, Two members of the Rangamati Hill District Council namely Mr. Bihari Ranjan Chakma and Mr. Moniruzzaman Mohsin, Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Mohammad Nurul Amin, Police Superintendent of the district Abdul Baten rushed to the spots to take stock of the situation on 21 April 2008 . Rangamati Hill District Council granted Taka 100,000 for victims. It is very astonishing that lion share of this money were handed over to commanding officer of Baghaihat zone Lt. Col. Sajid Imtiaz to distribute to the victims.

Present situation

Most of the indigenous villagers took shelter into the deep forest fearing further attack. Victims of the indigenous families became totally ruined. Most of them are passing days without food. They are staying on open sky. Only 10 victims including two women members of the Sajek union came to Baghaihat bazar to receive reliel while others denied to come Baghaihat bazar fearing retaliation. Two women members of Sajek union submitted a list of victims to administration. On the other, separate cases were filed by both indigenous villagers and Bengali settlers with Baghaichari police station. But the officer-in-charge (OC) of the police station did not disclose the name of the complainants and defendants. But no arrest has been made so far.

Kapaeeng Watch
(A human rights group for Indigenous Peoples)
Jagannath Hall, Dhaka University
Dhaka, Bangladesh
E-mail:kapaeeng.watch@gmail.com, kapaeeng.watch@micico.ch

BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS

2008-04-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

60 JUMMA HOUSES BURNT DOWN IN SAJEK

chtnews.com
April 21, 2008

ILLEGAL Bengali settlers backed by a strong contingent of army personnel have burnt down at least 60 Jumma houses in four villages under Sajek Union of Rangamati district. Many Jummas are reported to have been wounded and women raped during the attack that began at 9:45 p.m. on 20 April. Details of the incident are yet to come.

Sources said tension had been mounting in the area since the settlers began constructing houses in March after grabbing Jumma people's lands.

Sensing an impending attack, the Jummas, 50 - 60 of them, gathered at a point of the village to defend themselves. This somehow leaked to the army who went up to them and asked them not to worry. "Since we are here, nothing will happen and settlers will not attack you" an RP Habilder, Harun, was reported to have told the Jummas.

The CO (Commanding Officer) of Baghaihat zone was also present there. However, he did not speak to the Jummas.

While the army engaged the Jummas in talks, a group of Bengali settlers mounted an attack on four Jumma villages namely Gangaram Mukh, Simana Chara, Purbo Para and Baibachara.

They torched the houses, beat up whomever they caught hold of and raped the Jumma girls and women. However, details as to how any have been raped and wounded could not be known immediately.

The Hill Students Council, a front organisation of the United People's Democratic Front, will hold a demonstration in Dhaka later in the day, today, in protest against the barbarous Sajek settler attack.

Land Commission for CHT

2008-04-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=30259

Editorial
Land Commission for CHT needs reform. It is crucial to bringing complete peace in the area

FOOD and Disaster Management Adviser AMM Shawkat Ali in a roundtable on "Land Disputes in CHT: Ways to settling the issue" has broken a news. The present government is going to reconstitute the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission. A new chairman and two full-time members will be appointed to the commission to facilitate its working.

In terms of the CHT peace accord, consummated more than a decade ago, a Land Commission was formed to primarily solve the long standing disputes between the indigenous communities and the settlers from plain land. With the signing of the peace accord, surrendering of weapons by the Shanti Bahini and return of tribal refugees from India, the protracted insurgency in the region was brought to an end. This is a major achievement in a trouble-torn area.

However, another important element of peace lay in resolving land disputes between the communities which remains virtually unaddressed todate. This is why the news of reconstituting the Land Commission is so important. The commission we have seen working for all these years have done little. The much-vaunted cadastral survey has not taken place yet, without which documentation of land rights cannot be made. This is a very complex and time-taking operation; and we have already lost a good deal of time making a quick restart of the process highly imperative.

A durable solution to land disputes is a precondition for enduring peace in the region. The assurance from the adviser that government would investigate why lands in the CHT area have been handed over to settlers despite the ban on reallocation, reflects the right spirit of the government. The birth rights of tribal people must be protected at any cost. Chakma Raja Debasish Roy's recommendations for consensus between the commission and the regional parishad in settling the disputes and framing the required rules merit consideration. In the limited time at the disposal of the government it can reconstitute the commission and meaningfully set out its terms of reference and see the commission restart the work along substantive lines.

BCABA: An appeal to USAID Administrator

2008-04-01T22:49:00.001-07:00

Dated:-03/31/2008
MS. HENRIETTA H. FORE
Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance & USAID Administrator
U.S. Department of State
Room 5932
2201 C Street, N.W
Washington , D.C. 20520

Subject:Famine situation in CHTs region of Bangladesh

Dear Madam,
With due humble submission, we would like to put forward a few words to draw your kind attention on a famine like situation among indigenous populations living in remote areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh who are starving to death. They need food supply desperately to survive from this situation immediately.

This famine situation has arisen from extensive destruction of crops by acute surge of rat populations in those areas. These are underprivileged indigenous people who lead almost a nomadic life in a hand to mouth situation whole the year round. They reported to the government agencies earlier about a year ago when bamboo flower started to blossom. It was observed in the past that whenever bamboo flowers blossom in a certain year, usually in every 20-40 years, it is always followed by acute increase of rat populations who destroy all the crops and food. As the government agencies did not listen to their appeals on time because of their poor status, now these neglected and deprived people are suffering much from hunger associated with other diseases and conditions, even deaths. Only the wild leaves and roots have kept them alive in the recent months. Very recently, some organizations have started to operate relief operations in a limited scale what is quite inadequate in comparison to actual needs. Moreover, now they have become vulnerable to Bubonic Plague.

In these circumstances, we have an earnest appeal to you to kindly extend your helping hands to save these unfortunate and disastrous people from utmost sufferings from starving and other associated conditions. The USAID Country Representative might be aware of this situation.

It may be mentioned here that these indigenous populations are distinctly different from majority population of Bangladesh in respect of race, religion, culture, and life style. They live in remote areas of the region without electricity, safe water supply, sanitation, schools, and motor driven roads. Furthermore, these are the people who were displaced from their homestead due to decade long socio-political conflict in the region.

An Observation Report by Mr. Mark Dummett, BBC Correspondent, Bangladesh is attached herewith as an outstanding reference to actual situation.

Best regards.

Kirti Ranjan Chakma
President

Prasanjit Chakma
General Secretary

Copy to:
1.Ms. Geeta Pasi
Charge De’ Affaires, a.i
US Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh;

2.Dr. Stefan Frowein
Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh
House 7, Road 84, Gulshan 2
Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh;

3.Ms. Renata Lok-Dessalien
UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh
C/O UNDP
G.P.O Box No. 224, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

4.Denise Rollins
Mission Director
USAID/Bangladesh

5.Mr. Doug Foskett
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh
184 Gulshan Avenue
Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh

6.Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz
Chief
Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
United Nations, 2 UN Plaza
Room DC2-1772, New York, NY, 10017

7.Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty
High Commissioner of India
Dhaka, Bangladesh.. MR PINAK RANJAN CHAKRAVARTY, High Commissioner of India

BCABA: An appeal to USAID Administrator

2008-04-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

US State Department's HR report on CHT and Bangladesh

2008-03-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Indigenous People

Source from- http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100612.htm

Tribal people had a marginal ability to influence decisions concerning the use of their lands. There was little progress in the implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracks Peace Accord. The government still refused to cede responsibility for key functions like land use and natural resources to local authorities, as called for in the Accord. Law-and-order problems and alleged human rights violations continued, as did dissatisfaction with the implementation of the Peace Accord.

The government continued to deny mobile phone and Internet coverage to the three districts comprising the Hill Tracts. While the government cited security concerns as its reason for curbing this coverage, human rights groups and local officials claimed that this was implemented in order to stunt development of the region. The Land Commission dealing with land disputes between tribal individuals and Bengali settlers did not function effectively in addressing critical land disputes. Tribal leaders remained disappointed with the lack of assistance provided to those who left the area during the insurgency. Local human rights organizations alleged that security forces took advantage of the state of emergency to increase human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, against indigenous people.

During the year according to a human rights organization, seven persons died and two were injured in violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Moreover, seven persons were kidnapped and two persons were arrested.

In February the government withdrew 16 temporary camps of security forces in the Rangamati area of the Hill Tracts. Since the signing of the 1997 Peace Agreement, the government had withdrawn 196 camps, leaving approximately 280 camps.

The conflict between the Parbattya Chattagram Jono Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), which signed the 1997 Peace Agreement with the government and the United Peoples' Democratic Front (UPDF), which is opposed to the Peace Agreement, continued. On January 16, UPDF activists shot and killed Vinku Kumar Chakma, a youth front activist of PCJSS, at Chongrachhari in Khagrachhari district.

Tribal organizations continued to allege that security forces abused the indigenous population of the Hill Tracts. On December 9, the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Treaty, leaders of the indigenous village of Mahalchari in Khagrachari district, held a press conference in Dhaka to allege ethnic Bengali settlers had encroached on their farmland. They claimed Bengali settlers, with assistance of local authorities, seized 366 acres of their farmland during the year. Late in the year, a UNDP-funded project to develop a nursery in the indigenous village of Maddya Lemuchari in Khagrachari fell through after Bengali settlers constructed homes on the location designated for the project. According to local villagers, despite the fact that they held title to the land, local authorities issued duplicate land titles to the settlers in violation of the law and the Peace Treaty.

On April 1, according to Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, army personnel raided the house of UPDF leader Sachib Chakma in the village Bogachhari in Rangamati district. As Sachib was not present, the soldiers allegedly took his father, wife, two minor children, and another person to the army camp in Naniarchar and abused the father before eventually releasing them.

The PCJSS and indigenous leaders alleged that Joint Forces personnel led by the army took advantage of the state of emergency to step up "suppressive actions" against indigenous people, including arrests and filing of false cases. According to their report, individuals could not protest due to the state of emergency.

On March 11, Joint Forces personnel arrested two UPDF members, Bimol Bikash Chakma and Milon Bihari Chakma, from Maischhari in Khagrachhari district, on suspicion of involvement in the killing of an army captain. When arrested, the two allegedly were found with illegal arms and ammunition.

Tribal people in other areas also reported loss of land to Bengali Muslims. The government continued work on national park projects on land traditionally owned by indigenous communities in the Moulvibazar and Modhupur forest areas. Despite the fact that the government filed corruption charges against several Forestry Department officials involved in these projects, development of these park projects continued. In addition, indigenous communities, local human rights organizations, and churches in the area claimed that the government had yet to withdraw thousands of false charges filed against indigenous residents by the Forestry Department.

BCABA cogratualation to Govt. of Australia

2008-03-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

The Hon Kevin Rudd MP March 5, 2008
Prime Minister Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Australia

Subject: Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples

Sir,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We are deeply moved on listening to the speech in highest public forum – the Parliament of Australia by you, Mr. Kevin Rudd MP, the Honorable Prime Minister of Australia, on the Apology to Indigenous Peoples of Australia. It indicates not only your personal honesty and generosity, but also the greatness of your Government, your party, and the peoples of Australia. In the history of mankind, it is a milestone. With this initiative, you have set up an example that humanity is above all of our conduct; all of our efforts are to the service of mankind, to uphold the humanity. We do commend and pay our highest honor and gratitude to you and the people of Australia for this act of your kindness and realization. We hope and look ahead that this initiative will create the environment more congenial in between the indigenous populations and non-indigenous populations of Australia leading to build an exemplary great country where your name will be placed and remembered with honor and dignity in the world history.

We know the Australians have shown sympathy beyond their national boundary. Australians started to educate the indigenous peoples of not only in their own country, but also in other countries of the world; and Bangladesh is one of them since 1980s. Australian Government started allocating scholarships to Bangladeshi students since 1980s with special quota for students from indigenous population hailing from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region. This is a unique program in the world where a considerable number of scholarships is earmarked only for students from indigenous population. We are grateful to the Australian Government for such gracious activities. We do hope and plea that this program will continue by the Government of Australia; and other developed countries will follow the same in future.

In this occasion, we have the privilege to urge Your Honor, the Prime Minister, not to limit such noble ideology in your own country. It should be widened to other countries as well where millions of indigenous people are suffering from deprivation of basic human rights and needs, eviction from their own lands, loosing their culture and heritage, and passing their lives in inhuman conditions; and the condition of Bangladeshi Indigenous Populations is of no exception.

In fine, we do hope and earnestly call upon you, Hon Kevin Rudd MP, the Prime Minister of Australia, Government of Australia, and the citizens of Australia to take active role in spreading your ideology worldwide in order to save and free the lives of indigenous populations from utmost exploitation, deprivation and extinction.

May Lord Buddha bless you, the Government of Australia, and the citizens of Australia for peace and prosperous future in the years to come

Best regards.

(Kirti Ranjan Chakma)
President

Copy to:

Mr. Doug Foskett
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh
184 Gulshan AvenueGulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ms. Geeta Pasi
Charge De’ Affaires, a.i
US Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh;

Dr. Stefan Frowein
Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh
House 7, Road 84, Gulshan 2Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh;

Ms. Renata Lok-Dessalien
UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh
C/O UNDPG.P.O Box No. 224, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz
Chief
Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous IssuesUnited Nations, 2 UN PlazaRoom DC2-1772, New York, NY, 10017

3rd IKB Conference held in Lijiang , China .

2008-03-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation brings you the summary of ‘Problems and Issues of Garo and Koch Community in so-called Eco-Park Project of Bangladesh’, a case study presented in the 3rd Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conference in Lijiang , China .

The case study dealt with the Garo and Koch indigenous communities adversely affected by the Eco-park projects of the government. The social, economic and health impacts of the eco-park projects and monoculture plantation upon the Garo and Koch communities were profoundly studied. The Eco-park projects were implemented to boost tourism in the region. It also shows the destruction of the forest diversity by the introduction of monoculture plantation such as rubber, banana, pineapple and alien exotic plants.

The author of the case study, Miss Sadia Drong, makes recommendation to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Government of Bangladesh for the conservation of forest diversity and the protection of the indigenous rights to livelihood of the Garos and the Koch.

Military operation in Dighinala

2008-02-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Our correspondance

The military has been conducting operations in Bamei Ugudo-char under Dighinala sub-district in Khagrachari district since 11 Februay.

Army personnel from Mainee zone and Suburipada-chara camp are involved in the operation aimed at nabbing "terrorists".

Local villagers and eyewitness alleged that some un-identified masked men collaborating with the army.

Roundtable conference held with civil society delegation who visited CHT

2008-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

Correspondant,

On 10 February 2008 17-member civil society delegation led by Pankaj Bhattachariya, Vice President of Sammilita Samajik Andolon held roundtable conference on their recent visit to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) at VIP Lounge of National Press club in Dhaka. Former Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University and former Adviser of Caretaker Government Dr. Zillur Rahman Siddiqui presided over the conference. The members of the delegation, civil society members, journalists, university teachers and students, political leaders, NGO and human rights activists, representative from donor agencies were present at the conference.

It is mentionable that the civil society team from Dhaka visited Khagrachari and Rangamati districts of CHT to observe human rights situation in the region from January 28 to 30, 2008. They talked to representatives of indigenous Jumma peoples, Bengali community, religious leaders, civil society members, journalists and local administrations including Chairman and members of the CHT Regional Council, chairman of Khagrachari Hill District Council, Deputy Commissioners and Khagrachari and Rangamati districts.

In the roundtable conference, Professor Dr. Ajoy Roy, on behalf of the delegation read out a report on experiences of their CHT visit captioned "They (indigenous Jumma people) are also human being, let survive them with their rights" urging "to participate in establishing their glorious rights". In this report they pointed out that an uneasy situation has been prevailing in the hills and it can explode into a volatile state any time unless there is a timely intervention.

Professor Ajoy Roy also said the delegation received a numerous allegations, including intimidation and eviction of indigenous people by Bengali settlers, who in same cases got assistance from the government agencies. But Jumma people want to get back their lands where they have been residing for generations. In the name of taming anti-peace elements, the security forces have heightened their surveillance and expanded their security periphery confiscating lands of the Jumma people, causing a sense of fresh fear among the hill people.

The delegation also mentioned that by taking the advantage of non-implementation of the Accord, government agencies are aiding Bengali settlers to occupy land, identifying them as permanent resident and accordingly providing 'permanent resident certificate' to them. The report also stated that government administration in collaboration with military forces recently resumed Bengali settlement programme in CHT. For this purpose, not only homesteads of the indigenous peoples, Bengali settlers have been occupying the lands of religious institutes including Buddhist temple and meditation centre. The delegation claimed in their report that they also found evidences of political repression, physical torture and religious persecution upon Jumma people and instigation of communal tension by the government agencies etc. The delegation is of the opinion that by resuming Bengali settlement programme, CHT region would be turned into Muslim Bengali-majority region soon. They concern over inclusion of Bengali settlers and Rohinga Muslims in the on-going voter list, as it helped to make majority of Bengali Muslims in the voter list in CHT region. The delegation finally put the following recommendations:

Full implementation of CHT Accord in letter and spirit removing all impediments in implementation to it;
Stopping of the Bengali settlement programme and only inclusion of old Bengali permanent residents in the voter list.
Returning back Jumma-Bengali ratio into 70:30 and for this purpose reallocation of Bengali settlers from CHT region.
Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, in his speech, appreciated the move by the civil society delegation saying it was a timely trip. He called upon the government to consider the demands of the indigenous people to establish peace in the CHT through full implementation of the CHT Accord.

Mr. Pankaj Bhattachariya, eminent columnist Mr. Sayed Abul Maksud, Professor Dr. Rangolal Sen, General Secretary of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad Mr. Rabindranath Saren, General Secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Mr. Sanjeeb Drong, human rights activist Mr. Numan Ahmed Khan, women rights activist Ms. Chaitali Tripura, development activist Sharif M Kafi and Mr. Soumen Chakma spoke at the conference. Among others, Lt General (retd) Narunnabi attended the conference. The speakers said that the citizen's group should hold dialogue with the government and other political parties to help resolve the CHT problems. Pankaj Bhattacharya said that a vested quarter is engaged in an ill effort to create anarchy in the country and hamper the national elections. He urged the government to look into the issue seriously. He categorically said vested quarters are working with the agenda of Jamaat-e-Islami and fundamentalists in the name of Sama Odhikar Andolon, an extremist organisation of Bengali settlers.

The members of the civil society delegation were:

1.Mr. Pankaj Battachariya, Vice President of Sammilita Samajik Andolon.

2.Professor Dr. Ajoy Roy, Convenor of Sampriti Manch, ex-teacher of Dhaka University

3.Mr. Sayed Abul Moksud, Journalist and columnist

4. Mr. Kamal Lohani, cultural personality,

5.Dr. Rashidi Mahbub, former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University

6.Mr. Belal Ahmed, Secretary General of Bangladesh Solidarity Movement,

7.Dr. Sourab Sikder, teacher of Dhaka University

8.Mr. Robindranath Trivedi, Secretary General of HRCBM-National Chapter-Dhaka

9.Mr. Shahidul Alam, photo journalist and film maker, Drik Gallery

10.Mr. Nazrul Islam Mithu, Reporter, the New Age

11.Ms. Kabita Papri, Reporter, the Daily Ittefaq

12.Mr. Anwar Kabir, Free lance journalist

13.Mr. Firoz Manna, Reporter, the Daily Jonokonto

14.Ms. Smriti Kona Bishwas, NGO Activist

15.Mr. Aungyojai Marma, indigenous rights activist

16.Mr. Thowai Aung Marma, indigenous rights activist

17.Mr. Dipyan Khisa, Editor, Mawrum

Press conference held against land acquisition in Bandarban

2008-01-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

CHTnews.com
News No. 01/2008, January 19, 2008

Leaders of the Committee for Protection of Land in Bandarban have called upon the government to cancel the ongoing process of acquiring 9,560 acres of land for the purpose of expansion of Ruma Garrison in Bandarban.

The demand was made at a press conference held at Reporters Unity premises in Dhaka today, 19 January.

Committee member Mr. Khoichong Murung read out a written statement in which he claimed that the government is now at the final stage of acquiring the land in three Mouzas of Galenga, Pantola and Sengum under Ruma Upazilla.

Describing the process, he said "the Military Estate Officer of Bangladesh Military had made a proposal to the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Ruma to upgrade Ruma Garrison to a full-fledged cantonment. However, the TNO opined that the proposed expansion plan would affect 1, 569.06 acres of land of private ownership as well as 4,000 acres belonging to the Forest Department and displace 4,315 persons of 644 Jumma families. Again, in 1988 a joint team of Bandarban District Administration and the Bangladesh Military conducted feasibility study of the area and concluded that the acquisition of the said land would result in disastrous consequences. Because of this the past governments of both Awami League and BNP had refrained from endorsing the plan."

Describing the potential consequences of the ongoing land acquisition process, Mr. Khoichong further stated that "if the process is put through a total of about 4 thousand Jummas mostly from Marma, Tripura and Murung nationalities would be affected, many villages would be completely destroyed and thousands of acres of forests would melt away. On the other hand, there is no suitable and adequate land for the rehabilitation of the displaced persons. This will in turn create enormous pressure on the demands of land, increase dependence on Jum cultivation and pose serious threats to the life and livelihood of the displaced persons."

Criticizing the role of the Bangladesh Military personnel in the land acquisition process he said, "the army is, on the one hand, putting direct and indirect pressure on the village elders including Chairmen and Karbaris (village head) to accept the land acquisition programme, and proposing tantalizingly huge amounts of money as compensation on the other."

He also accused both the civil and military administration of maintaining blanket secrecy about the actual status of the land acquisition process.

The press conference was also attended by Kowla Aung Marma, Hla Mong woo Marma, Mongnu Aung Marma, Singrao Murung, Prusathoai Marma and Mongting Oyong Marma.

During the question and answer session, Mr. Kowla Aung Marma, one of the potential victims, said "We will rather die than leave our lands. If necessary we will take to the streets."

When asked how the process of acquiring the said land can go on when there is an embargo put in place by the Ministry of Land, Mr. told the media persons that the military had also tried to grab lands during the rule of BNP-led four party alliance government.

At least fifteen reporters and photo journalists from different news papers and media organisations attended the press conference.