A settler attempt to grab a piece of paddy land in Lemuchari has led to a scuffle between Jumma villagers and a group of illegal plain settlers in Khagrachari district. However, no one was hurt.
HWHRF representative in the area informed that Md. Tofer, a settler from Chongrachari cluster village, had been making attempts to capture 20 decimals of 1st class paddy land belonging to Biaml Kanti Chakma since 13 December. He began to plow the land as though it belonged to him.
On 18 December, Bimal Kanti Chakma raised objections and asked Tofer to keep off his land. However, the settler struck a bargain and said he would occupy that piece of land by any means.
Many other settlers joined him. They said that the army was with them, that the country belongs only to 140 million Bengali people and that the Paharis (hill people) are not welcome in their country.
They further said that all the lands now the Jummas live in actually belong to them (the settlers) because the government gave them these lands back in 1982 and 1983.
The Jummas refuted the claim saying they had lived there well before that time and that the government has no right to take away one person's land and then give it to another one.
The Jummas asked the settlers to produce valid documents in support of their claim.
They failed to do so and became angry. At one stage the settlers tried to drive them away by force. But when the Jummas protested, a minor scuffle broke out between the two groups.
One of Tofer's wives came running at them wielding a dao (a kind of knife), but she was blocked by other settlers.
No one was seriously hurt in the fight.
Since that incident, there has been no report of fresh settler attempt to grab that piece of land.
It is to be mentioned that in October 2007, two acres of third class hilly land belonging to Bimal Kanti Chakma (45) and his brother Nitimoy Chakma (50) were taken away by the settlers.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 68/2007, December 26, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
The role of Bangladesh Army in recent land grabbing in Chittagong Hill Tracts
THE CHITTAGONG Hill Tracts is currently witnessing an orgy of land grabbing. Since the state of emergency was imposed in the country on 11 January 2007, hundreds of acres of land belonging to the Jumma people have been taken away by force by the illegal plain settlers. The settlers also threaten to grab more. The situation has come to such a pass that they can take away any land from any Jumma any time with total impunity. A dark cloud of hopelessness and despair has descended on the Jumma people.
What is the pattern of the recent land grabbing? Are the settlers taking away other people's lands on their own? Who are backing them? These are some of the questions that crop up as we try to understand the problem.
Common sense tells us that without the backing of a powerful entity forcible grabbing of land can never take place on a large scale. Examples galore. In the case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, it is the army which has orchestrated the recent land grabbing. As is evident from the reports of the Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, which has documented most of the recent cases of land grabbing, Dighinala and Maischari have been the epicentres of the vicious land grabbing in Khagrachari district. In both areas, the army was directly responsible for the planning and execution of the land grabbing schemes. Major Qamrul Hassan from Dighinala zone became notorious for inciting illegal plain settlers to grab Jumma people's lands. His men organized so-called arbitration meetings and distributed lands among the settlers after taking them away from the Jumma owners by sheer force of arms. The Jummas produced title documents pertaining to the said lands, but the army brushed them aside. This was in flagrant violation of the law of the country and military discipline. Yet, he and hit cohorts are not known to have been punished or disciplined for it. He was also the mastermind behind the failed attempt in August - September 2007 to capture 300 acres of land in Sadhana Tila in Babucharia that houses a Buddhist meditation centre and a sizable Jumma settlement. Hundreds of settlers, mostly from Merung area, were organised and sent to Sadhana Tila to forcibly occupy the land. Simultaneously, the Major used a tactic of threat and intimidation and tried to coerce the Headman of the area into agreeing to aid the illegal settlers in their misadventure. However, the Jumma people put up a stiff resistance and forced the Major and his "settler soldiers" to retreat. But the army refused to give up so easily. They got false land documents prepared with the help of the Dighinala TNO and filed a law suit against the Sadhana Tila Temple committee. The case is now pending with the Khagrachari district court.
Almost a similar storyline developed simultaneously in Maischari. In Maischari and its three other contiguous Unions under Khagrachari district, a total of 399.22 acres of land belonging to the Jumma people were taken away in a span of nine months from 3 March to 3 December 2007. Here too, the army played the most crucial role in organising the land grabbing sprees. They gathered the settlers around their camp and then pushed them to encroach on Jumma people's land. The tactic of threat and intimidation was also widely applied to silence the Jumma people of the area. A climate of fear was created by raids and house-searches and arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and harassment of innocent villagers. The army reportedly threatened to kill Kalibandhu Tripura of Noonchari Tholipara village for protesting against the grabbing of his land by a Bengali settler named Hazor Ali. Many Jumma youths were arrested and badly tortured apparently to create a fear psychosis and fence off any potential resistance to the expansion of Bengali settlements.
Nonetheless, the Jummas refused to take the mounting injustice lying down. In protest against the illegal land grabbing in Maischari, UPDF sent an urgent letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari on 21 November 2007. On 9 December, the victims held a press conference in Dhaka and called upon the government to address the scourge. Despite that, the army shows no sign of relenting. On 8 December 2007, Major Gaffar, second-in-command of Mahalchari Army zone, exerted pressure on Niroti Chakma, headman of Ugudochari Mouza, to agree to their plan to create a new Bengali settlement in his area. Mr. Chakma refused, but the army keeps on putting pressure on him. On 12 December, Major Azad of Mahalchari zone put pressure on Monotosh Chakma, an Election Commission appointed Field Supervisor for Mahalchari area, to enlist illegal plain settlers as permanent voters of Ward No. 5 under Kiang-ghat Union, although there is not a single settler house in that area. Earlier, the army forced the Election Commission officials to appoint a Bengali settler as a field enumerator in violation of its own rules.
Therefore, anger and discontent over army-driven land grabbing continue to grow faster in CHT. A communal riot was narrowly averted in September in Dighinala. It was a close shave. If the army does not stop land grabbing, the situation will sure to deteriorate further leading to unpleasant developments. Therefore, timely government intervention has become urgent to address the issue without further delay.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
What is the pattern of the recent land grabbing? Are the settlers taking away other people's lands on their own? Who are backing them? These are some of the questions that crop up as we try to understand the problem.
Common sense tells us that without the backing of a powerful entity forcible grabbing of land can never take place on a large scale. Examples galore. In the case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, it is the army which has orchestrated the recent land grabbing. As is evident from the reports of the Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, which has documented most of the recent cases of land grabbing, Dighinala and Maischari have been the epicentres of the vicious land grabbing in Khagrachari district. In both areas, the army was directly responsible for the planning and execution of the land grabbing schemes. Major Qamrul Hassan from Dighinala zone became notorious for inciting illegal plain settlers to grab Jumma people's lands. His men organized so-called arbitration meetings and distributed lands among the settlers after taking them away from the Jumma owners by sheer force of arms. The Jummas produced title documents pertaining to the said lands, but the army brushed them aside. This was in flagrant violation of the law of the country and military discipline. Yet, he and hit cohorts are not known to have been punished or disciplined for it. He was also the mastermind behind the failed attempt in August - September 2007 to capture 300 acres of land in Sadhana Tila in Babucharia that houses a Buddhist meditation centre and a sizable Jumma settlement. Hundreds of settlers, mostly from Merung area, were organised and sent to Sadhana Tila to forcibly occupy the land. Simultaneously, the Major used a tactic of threat and intimidation and tried to coerce the Headman of the area into agreeing to aid the illegal settlers in their misadventure. However, the Jumma people put up a stiff resistance and forced the Major and his "settler soldiers" to retreat. But the army refused to give up so easily. They got false land documents prepared with the help of the Dighinala TNO and filed a law suit against the Sadhana Tila Temple committee. The case is now pending with the Khagrachari district court.
Almost a similar storyline developed simultaneously in Maischari. In Maischari and its three other contiguous Unions under Khagrachari district, a total of 399.22 acres of land belonging to the Jumma people were taken away in a span of nine months from 3 March to 3 December 2007. Here too, the army played the most crucial role in organising the land grabbing sprees. They gathered the settlers around their camp and then pushed them to encroach on Jumma people's land. The tactic of threat and intimidation was also widely applied to silence the Jumma people of the area. A climate of fear was created by raids and house-searches and arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and harassment of innocent villagers. The army reportedly threatened to kill Kalibandhu Tripura of Noonchari Tholipara village for protesting against the grabbing of his land by a Bengali settler named Hazor Ali. Many Jumma youths were arrested and badly tortured apparently to create a fear psychosis and fence off any potential resistance to the expansion of Bengali settlements.
Nonetheless, the Jummas refused to take the mounting injustice lying down. In protest against the illegal land grabbing in Maischari, UPDF sent an urgent letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari on 21 November 2007. On 9 December, the victims held a press conference in Dhaka and called upon the government to address the scourge. Despite that, the army shows no sign of relenting. On 8 December 2007, Major Gaffar, second-in-command of Mahalchari Army zone, exerted pressure on Niroti Chakma, headman of Ugudochari Mouza, to agree to their plan to create a new Bengali settlement in his area. Mr. Chakma refused, but the army keeps on putting pressure on him. On 12 December, Major Azad of Mahalchari zone put pressure on Monotosh Chakma, an Election Commission appointed Field Supervisor for Mahalchari area, to enlist illegal plain settlers as permanent voters of Ward No. 5 under Kiang-ghat Union, although there is not a single settler house in that area. Earlier, the army forced the Election Commission officials to appoint a Bengali settler as a field enumerator in violation of its own rules.
Therefore, anger and discontent over army-driven land grabbing continue to grow faster in CHT. A communal riot was narrowly averted in September in Dighinala. It was a close shave. If the army does not stop land grabbing, the situation will sure to deteriorate further leading to unpleasant developments. Therefore, timely government intervention has become urgent to address the issue without further delay.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Voter listing in CHT
Army tries to get settlers registered in Jumma area
An army officer from Mahalchari Zone in Khagrachari district has been putting pressure on Monotosh Chakma, an Election Commission appointed Field Supervisor for Mahalchari area, to enlist illegal plain settlers as permanent voters of Ward No. 5 under Kiang-ghat Union.
Major Azad told Mr. Chakma that he must register the Bengali settlers as permanent resident of Ward No. 5. On 12 December, the Thana Nirbahi Officer Abul Hossain summoned him at his office to discuss the issue of voter listing. Azad was also present there.
When both of them raised the settler issue, Mr. Chakma told them that he could not go beyond the rules set by the EC. He said, "we are bound to go house to house and enlist the people. We will definitely enlist all those we find eligible for registration as voter in Word No. 5. But unfortunately, as far as I know, there is not a single settler house in that area. Therefore, we cannot enlist some one as voters of Ward No. 5 when we know that he or she is in fact residing in a nearby area. We are helpless."
The Major was not ready to hear this. He threatened him again and the TNO accused him of creating division between the Jummas and Bengali settlers.
After failing to coerce Mr. Chakma into doing his bidding at the TNO office, Major Azad sent an order for Mr. Chakma to meet him at Zone headquarters on 18 December. It is not known whether he complied with the order or what happened afterwards.
The army has long been trying to enlist some Bengali settlers of nearby cluster villages as permanent voters of Ward No. 5.
They forced the District Election officials to bend the rules and appoint Md. Hemayet, a teacher of Lemuchari primary school and a Bengali settler, as a field enumerator in addition to Joti Purno Chakma. This involved huge arms-twisting and backdoor dealings on the part of the army.
One resident of Lemuchari commented, "if the army and the election officials break their own rules even at the time of voter registration, then one does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what will happen in the elections."
Report by-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 66/2007, December 20, 2007
An army officer from Mahalchari Zone in Khagrachari district has been putting pressure on Monotosh Chakma, an Election Commission appointed Field Supervisor for Mahalchari area, to enlist illegal plain settlers as permanent voters of Ward No. 5 under Kiang-ghat Union.
Major Azad told Mr. Chakma that he must register the Bengali settlers as permanent resident of Ward No. 5. On 12 December, the Thana Nirbahi Officer Abul Hossain summoned him at his office to discuss the issue of voter listing. Azad was also present there.
When both of them raised the settler issue, Mr. Chakma told them that he could not go beyond the rules set by the EC. He said, "we are bound to go house to house and enlist the people. We will definitely enlist all those we find eligible for registration as voter in Word No. 5. But unfortunately, as far as I know, there is not a single settler house in that area. Therefore, we cannot enlist some one as voters of Ward No. 5 when we know that he or she is in fact residing in a nearby area. We are helpless."
The Major was not ready to hear this. He threatened him again and the TNO accused him of creating division between the Jummas and Bengali settlers.
After failing to coerce Mr. Chakma into doing his bidding at the TNO office, Major Azad sent an order for Mr. Chakma to meet him at Zone headquarters on 18 December. It is not known whether he complied with the order or what happened afterwards.
The army has long been trying to enlist some Bengali settlers of nearby cluster villages as permanent voters of Ward No. 5.
They forced the District Election officials to bend the rules and appoint Md. Hemayet, a teacher of Lemuchari primary school and a Bengali settler, as a field enumerator in addition to Joti Purno Chakma. This involved huge arms-twisting and backdoor dealings on the part of the army.
One resident of Lemuchari commented, "if the army and the election officials break their own rules even at the time of voter registration, then one does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what will happen in the elections."
Report by-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 66/2007, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Ensure indigenous people's right to land to save environment
Speakers tell Bapa-Ben conference
Staff Correspondent
Ensuring legal and traditional rights of indigenous people to land will save environment and protect the country from natural calamities, said the speakers at a conference yesterday.
They also criticised different government projects such as social afforestation and eco-park that evict the indigenous people by occupying their lands and habitats.
The conference on 'Indigenous People and Bangladesh Environment' has been organised jointly by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Bangladesh Environment Network (Ben) in association with eight departments of eight public universities including Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the city.
The two-day conference is the first of its kind where indigenous representatives from different parts of the country, social workers and researchers are taking part.
Speakers at the conference laid emphasis on participatory concept of development while planning projects, inter-country policy to prevent environmental pollution from neighboring countries and bringing indigenous people under the process of modernisation by upgrading their earnings.
“Legal rights of indigenous people must be ensured to save the environment where they live in, and they must be brought under the process of modernisation,” said Prof Nazrul Islam, coordinator of Ben.
“The indigenous people are born and brought up in the lap of nature. The way they earn, they cultivate and above all they survive have its own tradition and close connection with the nature that includes hills, rivers, forests and even the plain land. So ensuring their right means taking steps to save the environment,” he added.
“Whether it is in plain land or up in the hill, what our policymakers always do while taking up or planning a development project is that they never take into consideration the views of the local people,” said Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, president of Bapa.
“Our environment is threatened and to save it we need to kick off a coordinated effort based on mutual understanding and ensuring fundamental rights of every human being,” he added.
Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, chairman of the inaugural session, said, “The indigenous people were deprived of their rights to give dishonest people the opportunity to exploit and loot their life and livelihood.”
The speakers made a 12-point demand at the session to ensure the rights of indigenous people including their constitutional approval, access to primary education in their own mother tongue besides the existing curriculum, right to land, separate ministries for the indigenous people and implementation of the peace treaty.
Awami League Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury said problems of indigenous people with regard to language, forest, agriculture and environment must be addressed with a holistic approach.
She said Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord should be the basis of solving the problems of indigenous people.
Motia admitted that the then government should have implemented the peace treaty more speedily and effectively.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Muzahidul Islam Selim said the problem of the indigenous people should be viewed from political and economic perspective.
He also laid emphasis on ensuring an environment in the country where each ethnic group can flourish with its distinct culture and tradition.
“An inter-country policy should be formulated to save our environment from its threatened condition. After 50 years indigenous people in Sylhet will have to evacuate their present habitat as huge sands from India are filling our rivers,” said Shefalika Tripura.
Chaired by Bapa Vice-president ASM Shahjahan, the plenary session was also addressed by Rocky Chakma and Trimati Tanchanga.
A total of 21 papers were presented at the session while 27 papers will be presented today.
The programme also incorporates children's art exhibition, film projection and cultural function.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=15920
Staff Correspondent
Ensuring legal and traditional rights of indigenous people to land will save environment and protect the country from natural calamities, said the speakers at a conference yesterday.
They also criticised different government projects such as social afforestation and eco-park that evict the indigenous people by occupying their lands and habitats.
The conference on 'Indigenous People and Bangladesh Environment' has been organised jointly by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Bangladesh Environment Network (Ben) in association with eight departments of eight public universities including Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the city.
The two-day conference is the first of its kind where indigenous representatives from different parts of the country, social workers and researchers are taking part.
Speakers at the conference laid emphasis on participatory concept of development while planning projects, inter-country policy to prevent environmental pollution from neighboring countries and bringing indigenous people under the process of modernisation by upgrading their earnings.
“Legal rights of indigenous people must be ensured to save the environment where they live in, and they must be brought under the process of modernisation,” said Prof Nazrul Islam, coordinator of Ben.
“The indigenous people are born and brought up in the lap of nature. The way they earn, they cultivate and above all they survive have its own tradition and close connection with the nature that includes hills, rivers, forests and even the plain land. So ensuring their right means taking steps to save the environment,” he added.
“Whether it is in plain land or up in the hill, what our policymakers always do while taking up or planning a development project is that they never take into consideration the views of the local people,” said Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, president of Bapa.
“Our environment is threatened and to save it we need to kick off a coordinated effort based on mutual understanding and ensuring fundamental rights of every human being,” he added.
Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, chairman of the inaugural session, said, “The indigenous people were deprived of their rights to give dishonest people the opportunity to exploit and loot their life and livelihood.”
The speakers made a 12-point demand at the session to ensure the rights of indigenous people including their constitutional approval, access to primary education in their own mother tongue besides the existing curriculum, right to land, separate ministries for the indigenous people and implementation of the peace treaty.
Awami League Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury said problems of indigenous people with regard to language, forest, agriculture and environment must be addressed with a holistic approach.
She said Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord should be the basis of solving the problems of indigenous people.
Motia admitted that the then government should have implemented the peace treaty more speedily and effectively.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Muzahidul Islam Selim said the problem of the indigenous people should be viewed from political and economic perspective.
He also laid emphasis on ensuring an environment in the country where each ethnic group can flourish with its distinct culture and tradition.
“An inter-country policy should be formulated to save our environment from its threatened condition. After 50 years indigenous people in Sylhet will have to evacuate their present habitat as huge sands from India are filling our rivers,” said Shefalika Tripura.
Chaired by Bapa Vice-president ASM Shahjahan, the plenary session was also addressed by Rocky Chakma and Trimati Tanchanga.
A total of 21 papers were presented at the session while 27 papers will be presented today.
The programme also incorporates children's art exhibition, film projection and cultural function.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=15920
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Bangladesh denies abuse of Chittagong hill tribes
DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh on Sunday rejected as false and baseless allegations of continuing abuse of rights of
tribal people in the country's Chittagong Hill Tracts, and said they enjoy more privileges than other citizens.
London-based Survival International, a worldwide support group for indigenous people, has said violence, land grabbing and intimidation still continued in the hill tracts and escalated since Bangladesh declared a state of emergency in January.
Over 50 Jumma (tribal) activists have been arrested, often on false charges, the group alleged in a statement issued ahead of the 10th anniversary of a peace accord between the hill tribes and the Bangladesh government.
The accord, reached on December 2, 1997, formally ended a 25-year tribal insurgency over demand for autonomy, in which more than 8,500 rebels, soldiers and civilians had been killed.
"Bangladesh's campaign against the Jummas has been genocidal. With the peace accord, the country salvaged some of its reputation," Survival's director Stephen Corry had said in its statement.
"But 10 years on, with abuses escalating, international attention must focus on the Chittagong Hill Tracts once more."
Bangladesh strongly denied the charges of rights abuse and said tribal people in the region are enjoying more privileges than other citizens after the peace accord.
"The allegation of any violence against the Jumma is totally false. We have found no evidence of it," said Rawshan Ara Begum, a senior official of the ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
(Reporting by Azad Majumder, writing by Anis Ahmed, editing by Jerry Norton)
Source from- http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnDHA31419.html
tribal people in the country's Chittagong Hill Tracts, and said they enjoy more privileges than other citizens.
London-based Survival International, a worldwide support group for indigenous people, has said violence, land grabbing and intimidation still continued in the hill tracts and escalated since Bangladesh declared a state of emergency in January.
Over 50 Jumma (tribal) activists have been arrested, often on false charges, the group alleged in a statement issued ahead of the 10th anniversary of a peace accord between the hill tribes and the Bangladesh government.
The accord, reached on December 2, 1997, formally ended a 25-year tribal insurgency over demand for autonomy, in which more than 8,500 rebels, soldiers and civilians had been killed.
"Bangladesh's campaign against the Jummas has been genocidal. With the peace accord, the country salvaged some of its reputation," Survival's director Stephen Corry had said in its statement.
"But 10 years on, with abuses escalating, international attention must focus on the Chittagong Hill Tracts once more."
Bangladesh strongly denied the charges of rights abuse and said tribal people in the region are enjoying more privileges than other citizens after the peace accord.
"The allegation of any violence against the Jumma is totally false. We have found no evidence of it," said Rawshan Ara Begum, a senior official of the ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
(Reporting by Azad Majumder, writing by Anis Ahmed, editing by Jerry Norton)
Source from- http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnDHA31419.html
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Steps being taken to involve hill women in local govt bodies
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmad Chowdhury yesterday said the government is preparing a special strategy document to ensure participation of the region's women in all local government organisations, especially in three hill district councils, and improve their socio-economic situation.
At a daylong workshop organised by Khagrachhari Hill District Council and NGO Green Hill, Iftekhar put emphasis on education for the region's women to become qualified and independent.
As the CHT peace accord is being implemented many women are joining various professions besides doing development work for their families, the society and the country. They are also participating in the work of local government organisations, including the unions, municipalities and hill district councils, said Iftekhar, also foreign adviser.
"If women participate in more and more professions, they will develop leadership among themselves. This will help them fight for their rights and privileges," he said.
"The government is trying to create an environment so that women of this area can change their socio-economic condition. The literacy rate in this area is very low. The government will try to introduce a modern education policy to ensure education for all women in Chittagong Hill Tracts," Iftekhar said.
Headmen (chiefs of mouja), karbaris (village chiefs), government officials, NGO representatives and reporters were present at the workshop.
CHT Affairs Secretary MA Sabur, Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Manindra Lal Tripura and Chief Executive Sayed MA Hashim, Brigadier General Kamruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Superintendent of Police Khandaker Lutful Kabir, Mong King Paihalaprue Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier on Thursday, Iftekar inaugurated the office of the Mong king, Alutilla Datuchaitta Buddha Bihar and a hostel for indigenous girls in the district.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=15587
At a daylong workshop organised by Khagrachhari Hill District Council and NGO Green Hill, Iftekhar put emphasis on education for the region's women to become qualified and independent.
As the CHT peace accord is being implemented many women are joining various professions besides doing development work for their families, the society and the country. They are also participating in the work of local government organisations, including the unions, municipalities and hill district councils, said Iftekhar, also foreign adviser.
"If women participate in more and more professions, they will develop leadership among themselves. This will help them fight for their rights and privileges," he said.
"The government is trying to create an environment so that women of this area can change their socio-economic condition. The literacy rate in this area is very low. The government will try to introduce a modern education policy to ensure education for all women in Chittagong Hill Tracts," Iftekhar said.
Headmen (chiefs of mouja), karbaris (village chiefs), government officials, NGO representatives and reporters were present at the workshop.
CHT Affairs Secretary MA Sabur, Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Manindra Lal Tripura and Chief Executive Sayed MA Hashim, Brigadier General Kamruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Superintendent of Police Khandaker Lutful Kabir, Mong King Paihalaprue Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier on Thursday, Iftekar inaugurated the office of the Mong king, Alutilla Datuchaitta Buddha Bihar and a hostel for indigenous girls in the district.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=15587
Friday, December 14, 2007
Land grab plan in Balaghata, Residents submit memo to CA
Residents of Balaghata in Bandarban Municipality demanded of the government to scrape a plan to acquire 131.27 acres of land in a residential area for the purpose of expanding Bandarban cantonment.
The demand was made in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Caretaker Government via Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban on 2 December 2007. A total of 131 persons, both from Jumma and Bengali communities, endorsed and signed the memo.
The memo stated that if the plan is implemented a total of 196 families will be displaced. Of these families, 14 belong to Tongchongya nationality, while 30 families to Chakma, 15 to Marma, 29 to Hindu, 19 to Barua and 88 to Muslim communities.
The area proposed to be acquired also houses 3 Buddhist temples and a mosque. The Buddhist temples are Gyana Ratna Buddha Vihara, Lemuzhiri Agapara Buddha Vihara and Karunapur Bana Vihara. These temples will be destroyed if the said land is acquired.
The memo further stated that there are families who will be evicted for the third time in their lifetime. For example, Muktadhan Tongchongya, Nolini Mohan Tongchongya, late Chitra Sen Chakma alias Boidyo, late Chandra Mohan Tongchongya and Thoaingcha Pru settled in Balaghata after they were displaced by the construction of Kaptai dam in the 1960s. They were displaced for the second time when Bandarban Brigade headquarters were established in the early 1980s.
The memo alleged that the Bandarban brigade did not consult the residents of Balaghata before making the land acquisition proposal to the government. It said, "A truly democratic and people-oriented government usually takes the opinions of the people of the area concerned in undertaking plan, policy and decision that might affect them and consider the public opinions with due seriousness. However, just as no opinion of the potential victims has been taken before making the proposal to acquire land in Balaghata for the expansion of Bandarban cantonment, so also they have not been given the opportunity to be heard when the proposal is still under consideration. Furthermore, the government is not known to have assessed the extent of the potential losses either."
Refuting the justification for the expansion of Bandarban cantonment, the memo said "we know there are lots of lands lying vacant and unused within the boundary of the cantonment." It advised the cantonment authority to ensure the appropriate and optimum use of these lands instead of going for acquisition of new lands."
Sources by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
The demand was made in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Caretaker Government via Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban on 2 December 2007. A total of 131 persons, both from Jumma and Bengali communities, endorsed and signed the memo.
The memo stated that if the plan is implemented a total of 196 families will be displaced. Of these families, 14 belong to Tongchongya nationality, while 30 families to Chakma, 15 to Marma, 29 to Hindu, 19 to Barua and 88 to Muslim communities.
The area proposed to be acquired also houses 3 Buddhist temples and a mosque. The Buddhist temples are Gyana Ratna Buddha Vihara, Lemuzhiri Agapara Buddha Vihara and Karunapur Bana Vihara. These temples will be destroyed if the said land is acquired.
The memo further stated that there are families who will be evicted for the third time in their lifetime. For example, Muktadhan Tongchongya, Nolini Mohan Tongchongya, late Chitra Sen Chakma alias Boidyo, late Chandra Mohan Tongchongya and Thoaingcha Pru settled in Balaghata after they were displaced by the construction of Kaptai dam in the 1960s. They were displaced for the second time when Bandarban Brigade headquarters were established in the early 1980s.
The memo alleged that the Bandarban brigade did not consult the residents of Balaghata before making the land acquisition proposal to the government. It said, "A truly democratic and people-oriented government usually takes the opinions of the people of the area concerned in undertaking plan, policy and decision that might affect them and consider the public opinions with due seriousness. However, just as no opinion of the potential victims has been taken before making the proposal to acquire land in Balaghata for the expansion of Bandarban cantonment, so also they have not been given the opportunity to be heard when the proposal is still under consideration. Furthermore, the government is not known to have assessed the extent of the potential losses either."
Refuting the justification for the expansion of Bandarban cantonment, the memo said "we know there are lots of lands lying vacant and unused within the boundary of the cantonment." It advised the cantonment authority to ensure the appropriate and optimum use of these lands instead of going for acquisition of new lands."
Sources by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Rape of a minor girl, Police refuses to register case in Manikchari
Police in Manikchari Thana under Khagrachari district refused to register a case from the father of Ruikrashu Aung Marma, a minor girl, who was raped on 4 December 2007. (Photo attached)
Hill Watch Human Rights Forum reported on 7 December 2007 (News No. 56) that 10-year old "Apruma Marma" was subjected to sexual assault. In fact, her name was wrongly spelt in the said report and she was actually raped by Shahin from Gochchabil village under Manikchari Thana.
In a written complaint, which the OC of Manikchari police station refused to register, Mr. Ramau Marma, father of the victim, alleged that on 4 December 2007, Tuesday, at about 9:30 a.m. her daughter Ruikrashu Aung Marma aged 10 and a third grade student was going to Warkchari Government Primary School when Shahin from Gochchabil village raped her near a lonely jungle path at Hafchari, approximately 500 yards from the school. At around 10 a.m. on the basis of information provided by an unknown passerby, the school headmaster rescued the victim.
The complaint continued: "On the same day at 7 p.m. at the initiative of Abul Kalam, the UP member of the area, a meeting was held at Jamtala in which members from both Jumma and Bengali communities were present. The meeting was successful in identifying the rapist and placed him under private custody of Kalam Member. It was also decided in the meeting that an arbitration meeting would be held the next day. However, as Shahin, the rapist, fled from custody, the scheduled arbitration meeting did not take place."
Thereafter, Mr. Ramau Marma decided to take recourse to police help and on 7 December went to Manikchari police station to lodge a formal complaint. However, the Officer-in-charge refused to register the case and allegedly threatened him not to thread the path of misadventure by filing a case against any Bengali settler.
President of Hill Women's Federation, Ms Sonali Chakma in a statement issued to the press from Chittagong today condemned the rape of Ruikrashu Aung Marma and expressed outrage at police's refusal to register a case in connection with the incident.
She demanded that the culprit be arrested and brought to justice, the victim compensated and the victim's father is allowed to lodge the complaint.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Hill Watch Human Rights Forum reported on 7 December 2007 (News No. 56) that 10-year old "Apruma Marma" was subjected to sexual assault. In fact, her name was wrongly spelt in the said report and she was actually raped by Shahin from Gochchabil village under Manikchari Thana.
In a written complaint, which the OC of Manikchari police station refused to register, Mr. Ramau Marma, father of the victim, alleged that on 4 December 2007, Tuesday, at about 9:30 a.m. her daughter Ruikrashu Aung Marma aged 10 and a third grade student was going to Warkchari Government Primary School when Shahin from Gochchabil village raped her near a lonely jungle path at Hafchari, approximately 500 yards from the school. At around 10 a.m. on the basis of information provided by an unknown passerby, the school headmaster rescued the victim.
The complaint continued: "On the same day at 7 p.m. at the initiative of Abul Kalam, the UP member of the area, a meeting was held at Jamtala in which members from both Jumma and Bengali communities were present. The meeting was successful in identifying the rapist and placed him under private custody of Kalam Member. It was also decided in the meeting that an arbitration meeting would be held the next day. However, as Shahin, the rapist, fled from custody, the scheduled arbitration meeting did not take place."
Thereafter, Mr. Ramau Marma decided to take recourse to police help and on 7 December went to Manikchari police station to lodge a formal complaint. However, the Officer-in-charge refused to register the case and allegedly threatened him not to thread the path of misadventure by filing a case against any Bengali settler.
President of Hill Women's Federation, Ms Sonali Chakma in a statement issued to the press from Chittagong today condemned the rape of Ruikrashu Aung Marma and expressed outrage at police's refusal to register a case in connection with the incident.
She demanded that the culprit be arrested and brought to justice, the victim compensated and the victim's father is allowed to lodge the complaint.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Two UPDF supporters arrested in Bilaichari
On 11 December 2007, two supporters of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) were arrested from Bilaichari bazaar in Rangamati district.
Chizimuni Chakma and Bandujjya Chakma of Jamezchari village in Jurachari Upazilla were in Bilaichari market place when the army from nearby camp arrested them. The army gave no reason for the arrest.
They were taken to the camp and tortured badly. They have not been released till last night. Nor have they been produced before any court of law.
No further details are available.
Arbitrary arrest and detention of innocent Jumma people has been on the rise since the state of emergency was imposed in the country on 11 January this year.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Chizimuni Chakma and Bandujjya Chakma of Jamezchari village in Jurachari Upazilla were in Bilaichari market place when the army from nearby camp arrested them. The army gave no reason for the arrest.
They were taken to the camp and tortured badly. They have not been released till last night. Nor have they been produced before any court of law.
No further details are available.
Arbitrary arrest and detention of innocent Jumma people has been on the rise since the state of emergency was imposed in the country on 11 January this year.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Army searches houses in Bizitola
On the night of 28 November 2007, a group of army personnel from Bizitola camp in Khagrachari district conducted raid on the village of Gurgujjyachari and searched the houses of Nani Gopal Chakma (50), a teacher of Gurgujjyachari Government Primary School, Smriti Bikash Chakma (53), a shopkeeper, and Kiron Kanti Chakma (50), a health worker.
They were in deep sleep when the soldiers awoke them shortly before midnight. No reason was cited for the search.
After the search, the soldiers left behind something like a mobile phone in the house of Nani Gopal Chakma either on purpose or by mistake. However, Mr. Chakma found it immediately after the army men left his house and ran to them to hand it over.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
They were in deep sleep when the soldiers awoke them shortly before midnight. No reason was cited for the search.
After the search, the soldiers left behind something like a mobile phone in the house of Nani Gopal Chakma either on purpose or by mistake. However, Mr. Chakma found it immediately after the army men left his house and ran to them to hand it over.
Source from-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Hill people demand end to land grabbing
Staff Correspondent
The Maischhori Land Protection Committee of Khagrachari hill district on Sunday demanded that the government should put an end to land grabbing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by settlers from the planes.
It was one of a number of demands the committee made at a news conference at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
The other demands include taking legal measures against the land grabbers, recognition of hill people's traditional rights to land, and relocation of settlers in the CHT to other areas in the country.
In the past nine months, settlers from the plane lands have grabbed 366 acres of land belonging to the hill people at just two upazilas, Mahalchhori and sadar, in Khagrachari, the committee leaders, including Bidya Binod Chakma, Deenendra Lal Chakma, Gyanlal Chakma, Bimoljyoti Chakma, Nayna Devi Chakma, and Anjali Devi Chakma, told the conference.
In response to a question, one of them said, 'Supporters of former BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan were involved in the recent incidents of land grabbing.'
'We requested the local administration to stop the land grabbing and save the life and property of the hill people, but in vain,' he said.
The committee leaders claimed the hill people were passing their days in fear. They demanded that the government should take steps to return their land by evicting the illegal settlers.
They also demanded punishment of Wadud Bhuiyan and his accomplices involved in the land grabbing.
Source from-http://www.newagebd.com/met.html
The Maischhori Land Protection Committee of Khagrachari hill district on Sunday demanded that the government should put an end to land grabbing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by settlers from the planes.
It was one of a number of demands the committee made at a news conference at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
The other demands include taking legal measures against the land grabbers, recognition of hill people's traditional rights to land, and relocation of settlers in the CHT to other areas in the country.
In the past nine months, settlers from the plane lands have grabbed 366 acres of land belonging to the hill people at just two upazilas, Mahalchhori and sadar, in Khagrachari, the committee leaders, including Bidya Binod Chakma, Deenendra Lal Chakma, Gyanlal Chakma, Bimoljyoti Chakma, Nayna Devi Chakma, and Anjali Devi Chakma, told the conference.
In response to a question, one of them said, 'Supporters of former BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan were involved in the recent incidents of land grabbing.'
'We requested the local administration to stop the land grabbing and save the life and property of the hill people, but in vain,' he said.
The committee leaders claimed the hill people were passing their days in fear. They demanded that the government should take steps to return their land by evicting the illegal settlers.
They also demanded punishment of Wadud Bhuiyan and his accomplices involved in the land grabbing.
Source from-http://www.newagebd.com/met.html
366.02 acres land occupied in Khagrachhari
Staff Correspondent
About 366.02 acre land of 120 indigenous people were grabbed by grabbers in different places at Mohalchhari in Khagrachhari district in the last nine months, Mahalchhari Bhumi Rakkha Committe alleged in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.
On behalf of the committee Headman Biddya Binod Chakma of Kiyang Ghat read out the written statement of the situation in the conference.
The outsiders are building houses forcefully on the grabbed lands and gardens of indigenous people and they are sheltered by a powerful quarter, they said.
They urged the government to take initiatives to stop land grabbing and handing over the grabbed lands to genuine owners.
Legal steps should also be taken against the grabbers and their collaborators, they demanded.
They also demanded recognition of the traditional land rights of the indigenous community for a permanent solution of land problems in the hill tracts.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=14968
About 366.02 acre land of 120 indigenous people were grabbed by grabbers in different places at Mohalchhari in Khagrachhari district in the last nine months, Mahalchhari Bhumi Rakkha Committe alleged in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.
On behalf of the committee Headman Biddya Binod Chakma of Kiyang Ghat read out the written statement of the situation in the conference.
The outsiders are building houses forcefully on the grabbed lands and gardens of indigenous people and they are sheltered by a powerful quarter, they said.
They urged the government to take initiatives to stop land grabbing and handing over the grabbed lands to genuine owners.
Legal steps should also be taken against the grabbers and their collaborators, they demanded.
They also demanded recognition of the traditional land rights of the indigenous community for a permanent solution of land problems in the hill tracts.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=14968
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
CHT Peace Accord, Concern over proposed revision
A group of prominent citizens in a statement yesterday expressed grave concern over the proposed revision of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord.
They said full and faithful implementation of the accord is crucial for ensuring the rights and interests of all CHT residents and for greater interest of the country.
The signatories to the statement said non-implementation of crucial elements of the accord, which are recognised both nationally and internationally, remains a vital obstacle to long-term peace and stability in the region.
It also said the agreement, which was signed following a bilateral negotiation, should not be revised or amended unilaterally.
The signatories are Justice Muhammad Golam Rabbani of the Appellate Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court, former adviser to a caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal, former chief of the army staff Lt Gen (retd) Harun-ar-Rashid, President of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, General Secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Abul Barkat, Human Rights Activist Dr Hameeda Hossain, Chakma Circle Chief Raja Devasish Roy, Coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir, Executive Director of Bangladesh Legal Aid Trust Taslimur Rahman, Playwright Mamunur Rashid, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development Shamsul Huda, and Director of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
The signatories believe that the 1997 accord provides a firm basis for re-establishing the legitimate rights of the indigenous people of CHT as well as of the Bangalee settlers there.
The current accord also provides a basis for stopping the longstanding unrest prevailing there, for re-establishing a just and sustained peace, for promoting human rights, and for long-term stability in the region as well as in the country as a whole, the statement said.
The signatories urged all to recognise the 1997 accord for what it is, an agreement that seeks to provide a valid basis for re-establishing peace and justice in CHT. They called upon the government and people of all walks of life to support the process of full implementation of the accord.
It is a longstanding globally accepted norm that a political agreement signed by a government is necessarily binding upon successive governments, as has been seen in neighbouring Northeast India, Mindanao, the Philippines, and Guatemala, to name a few examples, the statement noted.
The signatories also said the current caretaker government revived the practice of holding meetings of the advisory committee to the Ministry of CHT Affairs, which met twice recently, with implementation of CHT Peace Accord topping the agenda.
Source by-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=15202
They said full and faithful implementation of the accord is crucial for ensuring the rights and interests of all CHT residents and for greater interest of the country.
The signatories to the statement said non-implementation of crucial elements of the accord, which are recognised both nationally and internationally, remains a vital obstacle to long-term peace and stability in the region.
It also said the agreement, which was signed following a bilateral negotiation, should not be revised or amended unilaterally.
The signatories are Justice Muhammad Golam Rabbani of the Appellate Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court, former adviser to a caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal, former chief of the army staff Lt Gen (retd) Harun-ar-Rashid, President of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, General Secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Abul Barkat, Human Rights Activist Dr Hameeda Hossain, Chakma Circle Chief Raja Devasish Roy, Coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir, Executive Director of Bangladesh Legal Aid Trust Taslimur Rahman, Playwright Mamunur Rashid, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development Shamsul Huda, and Director of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
The signatories believe that the 1997 accord provides a firm basis for re-establishing the legitimate rights of the indigenous people of CHT as well as of the Bangalee settlers there.
The current accord also provides a basis for stopping the longstanding unrest prevailing there, for re-establishing a just and sustained peace, for promoting human rights, and for long-term stability in the region as well as in the country as a whole, the statement said.
The signatories urged all to recognise the 1997 accord for what it is, an agreement that seeks to provide a valid basis for re-establishing peace and justice in CHT. They called upon the government and people of all walks of life to support the process of full implementation of the accord.
It is a longstanding globally accepted norm that a political agreement signed by a government is necessarily binding upon successive governments, as has been seen in neighbouring Northeast India, Mindanao, the Philippines, and Guatemala, to name a few examples, the statement noted.
The signatories also said the current caretaker government revived the practice of holding meetings of the advisory committee to the Ministry of CHT Affairs, which met twice recently, with implementation of CHT Peace Accord topping the agenda.
Source by-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=15202
Monday, December 10, 2007
UNPO Celebrates International Day of Human Rights
Dignity and Justice for All - State of Human Rights of UNPO Members
10 December 2007, The Hague - While welcoming the United Nations’ launch of the campaign to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), UNPO takes this opportunity to remind the international community about the poor state of human rights suffered by UNPO Members.
Today the United Nations will launch a year-long campaign of the UDHR with the participation by all parts of the UN family, leading up to 10 December 2008 when the Declaration turns 60. The United Nations has said that the Declaration holds the world record as the most translated document, currently available in more than 360 languages."
The world cannot blindly celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the UDHR with a message of dignity and justice for all without taking concrete actions to end human rights violations on the ground, where it matters the most," stated Mr. Ledum Mitee, President of the UNPO General Assembly.
Over the past year, UNPO Members have been struggling for justice in their respective regions. In Southern Cameroons, for example, an ongoing campaign has taken place for the right to free speech and judicial safeguards, which is regularly violated by the Cameroonian authorities. Following the recent fact-finding mission to Angola, Ms. Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief said that in Cabinda, "a number of religious communities were severely restricted by the authorities in the exercise of the freedom of religion or belief...in some cases violence, threats and intimidation were also used by the Government."
While the nonviolent struggle for democracy in Burma received an overwhelming reaction from the world, a commitment to end widespread human rights abuses is yet to be realised. Within this region of Asia, in Vietnam the Khmer Krom people saw their religious and human rights leaders facing continued prosecution, while Hmong refugees from Laos were confronted with stringent actions at the hands of Thai authorities. Inside Laos Hmong people are hunted down in the jungles by the Laotian military.
On this day, in the streets of The Hague, Amsterdam and other cities throughout the world Uyghurs from Eastern Turkestan will demonstrate to demand genuine religious freedom in present-day China. As for the human rights situation in Tibet, the Dalai Lama recently wrote in The Economists special edition, ‘The World in 2008’ that "Tibetans love their own culture and their way of life, but Chinese officials regard their urge to preserve their identity as a threat to the unity of China."
While the world waits for a final satisfactory solution to the future political status of Kosova, the full implementation of peace accord in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh is again in doubt due to the current political crisis in the country.
With regard to the Naga-India talks, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, in a report to the UN Human Rights Council stated: "Despite the many difficulties, the Nagas favour a peaceful settlement of the conflict and demand full implementation of the 1997 agreement as a precondition to achieve this goal."
Mr. Stavenhagen’s report also stated: “In 2001, Indonesia adopted the Special Autonomy Law No. 21, aiming at finding a solution to West Papua’s political status and to bring peace to the province. Similarly, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement was signed in 2005, providing for a limited autonomy to Aceh within basic sectors of public affairs, as well as for the right to consultation concerning international agreements for special interest to Aceh. While constructive arrangements have been seen as positive steps, the experience of West Papua after more than five years of the entry into force of the autonomy regime is disquieting.”
In a clear violation of the freedom of expression and assembly, West Papuans were banned by Indonesian authorities again this year from raising their flag on 01 December, their national day. Those who defy the ban risk imprisonment, with some individuals currently serving 15 years behind bars. Reports suggest around 20 people were arrested this year for raising the flag, despite international pressure on Indonesia to stop the repression.
Although the United Nations finally adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in Chile seven Mapuche political prisoners have been on hunger strike since 10 October 2007 to protest against their treatment by the government and their health is now in a critical state. These political prisoners were tried under Chile's 1985 "Anti-Terrorism Law."
The death penalty is another human rights crisis faced by numerous UNPO Members. In Iran especially, UNPO Members have suffered under this inhumane punishment, with frequent executions taking place in West Balochistan and Al-Ahwaz for crimes no worse than campaigning for the rights and recognition of minorities within Iran. China has arguably an even worse record regarding the death penalty. Recently, China sentenced five Uyghurs to death on terrorism charges without providing any evidence and refusing to release details of the trial. In both Iran and China, accusations of separatism and terrorism are frequently used to justify the brutal oppression of human rights campaigners.
In Pakistan, political activists have regularly ‘disappeared’, and it is an open secret that these disappearances are carried out by the security services who clamp down on any political dissent. Recent events in Pakistan have confirmed fears that political dissent is not tolerated. Following the imposition of emergency rule, thousands of protesters were arrested for peaceful demonstrations against the undemocratic nature of President Musharraf’s rule.
In Chechnya, while disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Chechens have been a grave unresolved human rights issue, today people live in fear under a totalitarian regime supported by an estimated 30,000 Russian troops present in this republic. Some reports suggest a disturbing figure of up to 70 per cent of unemployment among Chechens.
Despite the overwhelming human rights issues with which UNPO Members are confronted when struggling to safeguard their religious, cultural and national identities, the campaign launched on the importance of the UDHR will be appreciated. During the next year UNPO Members will be encouraged to once again review the 30 Articles of the Declaration in order to create greater awareness on human rights within their communities.
"It will be crucial for human rights victims in UNPO Member regions to deeply understand how their human rights, as recognised by the international human rights laws, are being violated. Through such a realisation, they will understand the human rights dimension of the message ‘dignity and justice for all’," expressed Mr. Marino Busdachin, UNPO General Secretary.
Source from-http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=7391
10 December 2007, The Hague - While welcoming the United Nations’ launch of the campaign to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), UNPO takes this opportunity to remind the international community about the poor state of human rights suffered by UNPO Members.
Today the United Nations will launch a year-long campaign of the UDHR with the participation by all parts of the UN family, leading up to 10 December 2008 when the Declaration turns 60. The United Nations has said that the Declaration holds the world record as the most translated document, currently available in more than 360 languages."
The world cannot blindly celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the UDHR with a message of dignity and justice for all without taking concrete actions to end human rights violations on the ground, where it matters the most," stated Mr. Ledum Mitee, President of the UNPO General Assembly.
Over the past year, UNPO Members have been struggling for justice in their respective regions. In Southern Cameroons, for example, an ongoing campaign has taken place for the right to free speech and judicial safeguards, which is regularly violated by the Cameroonian authorities. Following the recent fact-finding mission to Angola, Ms. Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief said that in Cabinda, "a number of religious communities were severely restricted by the authorities in the exercise of the freedom of religion or belief...in some cases violence, threats and intimidation were also used by the Government."
While the nonviolent struggle for democracy in Burma received an overwhelming reaction from the world, a commitment to end widespread human rights abuses is yet to be realised. Within this region of Asia, in Vietnam the Khmer Krom people saw their religious and human rights leaders facing continued prosecution, while Hmong refugees from Laos were confronted with stringent actions at the hands of Thai authorities. Inside Laos Hmong people are hunted down in the jungles by the Laotian military.
On this day, in the streets of The Hague, Amsterdam and other cities throughout the world Uyghurs from Eastern Turkestan will demonstrate to demand genuine religious freedom in present-day China. As for the human rights situation in Tibet, the Dalai Lama recently wrote in The Economists special edition, ‘The World in 2008’ that "Tibetans love their own culture and their way of life, but Chinese officials regard their urge to preserve their identity as a threat to the unity of China."
While the world waits for a final satisfactory solution to the future political status of Kosova, the full implementation of peace accord in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh is again in doubt due to the current political crisis in the country.
With regard to the Naga-India talks, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, in a report to the UN Human Rights Council stated: "Despite the many difficulties, the Nagas favour a peaceful settlement of the conflict and demand full implementation of the 1997 agreement as a precondition to achieve this goal."
Mr. Stavenhagen’s report also stated: “In 2001, Indonesia adopted the Special Autonomy Law No. 21, aiming at finding a solution to West Papua’s political status and to bring peace to the province. Similarly, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement was signed in 2005, providing for a limited autonomy to Aceh within basic sectors of public affairs, as well as for the right to consultation concerning international agreements for special interest to Aceh. While constructive arrangements have been seen as positive steps, the experience of West Papua after more than five years of the entry into force of the autonomy regime is disquieting.”
In a clear violation of the freedom of expression and assembly, West Papuans were banned by Indonesian authorities again this year from raising their flag on 01 December, their national day. Those who defy the ban risk imprisonment, with some individuals currently serving 15 years behind bars. Reports suggest around 20 people were arrested this year for raising the flag, despite international pressure on Indonesia to stop the repression.
Although the United Nations finally adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in Chile seven Mapuche political prisoners have been on hunger strike since 10 October 2007 to protest against their treatment by the government and their health is now in a critical state. These political prisoners were tried under Chile's 1985 "Anti-Terrorism Law."
The death penalty is another human rights crisis faced by numerous UNPO Members. In Iran especially, UNPO Members have suffered under this inhumane punishment, with frequent executions taking place in West Balochistan and Al-Ahwaz for crimes no worse than campaigning for the rights and recognition of minorities within Iran. China has arguably an even worse record regarding the death penalty. Recently, China sentenced five Uyghurs to death on terrorism charges without providing any evidence and refusing to release details of the trial. In both Iran and China, accusations of separatism and terrorism are frequently used to justify the brutal oppression of human rights campaigners.
In Pakistan, political activists have regularly ‘disappeared’, and it is an open secret that these disappearances are carried out by the security services who clamp down on any political dissent. Recent events in Pakistan have confirmed fears that political dissent is not tolerated. Following the imposition of emergency rule, thousands of protesters were arrested for peaceful demonstrations against the undemocratic nature of President Musharraf’s rule.
In Chechnya, while disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Chechens have been a grave unresolved human rights issue, today people live in fear under a totalitarian regime supported by an estimated 30,000 Russian troops present in this republic. Some reports suggest a disturbing figure of up to 70 per cent of unemployment among Chechens.
Despite the overwhelming human rights issues with which UNPO Members are confronted when struggling to safeguard their religious, cultural and national identities, the campaign launched on the importance of the UDHR will be appreciated. During the next year UNPO Members will be encouraged to once again review the 30 Articles of the Declaration in order to create greater awareness on human rights within their communities.
"It will be crucial for human rights victims in UNPO Member regions to deeply understand how their human rights, as recognised by the international human rights laws, are being violated. Through such a realisation, they will understand the human rights dimension of the message ‘dignity and justice for all’," expressed Mr. Marino Busdachin, UNPO General Secretary.
Source from-http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=7391
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Hill people demand end to land grabbing
The Maischhori Land Protection Committee of Khagrachari hill district on Sunday demanded that the government should put an end to land grabbing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by settlers from the planes.
It was one of a number of demands the committee made at a news conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
The other demands include taking legal measures against the land grabbers, recognition of hill people’s traditional rights to land, and relocation of settlers in the CHT to other areas in the country.
In the past nine months, settlers from the plane lands have grabbed 366 acres of land belonging to the hill people at just two upazilas, Mahalchhori and sadar, in Khagrachari, the committee leaders, including Bidya Binod Chakma, Deenendra Lal Chakma, Gyanlal Chakma, Bimoljyoti Chakma, Nayna Devi Chakma, and Anjali Devi Chakma, told the conference.
In response to a question, one of them said, ‘Supporters of former BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan were involved in the recent incidents of land grabbing.’
‘We requested the local administration to stop the land grabbing and save the life and property of the hill people, but in vain,’ he said.
The committee leaders claimed the hill people were passing their days in fear.
They demanded that the government should take steps to return their land by evicting the illegal settlers. They also demanded punishment of Wadud Bhuiyan and his accomplices involved in the land grabbing.
Source from-http://www.newagebd.com/met.html
It was one of a number of demands the committee made at a news conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
The other demands include taking legal measures against the land grabbers, recognition of hill people’s traditional rights to land, and relocation of settlers in the CHT to other areas in the country.
In the past nine months, settlers from the plane lands have grabbed 366 acres of land belonging to the hill people at just two upazilas, Mahalchhori and sadar, in Khagrachari, the committee leaders, including Bidya Binod Chakma, Deenendra Lal Chakma, Gyanlal Chakma, Bimoljyoti Chakma, Nayna Devi Chakma, and Anjali Devi Chakma, told the conference.
In response to a question, one of them said, ‘Supporters of former BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan were involved in the recent incidents of land grabbing.’
‘We requested the local administration to stop the land grabbing and save the life and property of the hill people, but in vain,’ he said.
The committee leaders claimed the hill people were passing their days in fear.
They demanded that the government should take steps to return their land by evicting the illegal settlers. They also demanded punishment of Wadud Bhuiyan and his accomplices involved in the land grabbing.
Source from-http://www.newagebd.com/met.html
366.02 acres land occupied in Khagrachhari
About 366.02 acre land of 120 indigenous people were grabbed by grabbers in different places at Mohalchhari in Khagrachhari district in the last nine months, Mahalchhari Bhumi Rakkha Committe alleged in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.
On behalf of the committee Headman Biddya Binod Chakma of Kiyang Ghat read out the written statement of the situation in the conference.
The outsiders are building houses forcefully on the grabbed lands and gardens of indigenous people and they are sheltered by a powerful quarter, they said.
They urged the government to take initiatives to stop land grabbing and handing over the grabbed lands to genuine owners.
Legal steps should also be taken against the grabbers and their collaborators, they demanded.
They also demanded recognition of the traditional land rights of the indigenous community for a permanent solution of land problems in the hill tracts.
Source from- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=14968
On behalf of the committee Headman Biddya Binod Chakma of Kiyang Ghat read out the written statement of the situation in the conference.
The outsiders are building houses forcefully on the grabbed lands and gardens of indigenous people and they are sheltered by a powerful quarter, they said.
They urged the government to take initiatives to stop land grabbing and handing over the grabbed lands to genuine owners.
Legal steps should also be taken against the grabbers and their collaborators, they demanded.
They also demanded recognition of the traditional land rights of the indigenous community for a permanent solution of land problems in the hill tracts.
Source from- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=14968
Army raids Jumma houses in Naniachari
A group of army personnel led by Major Anisur Rahman, second-in-command of Naniachari zone, yesterday, 8 December 2007, raided two Jumma houses in Nua Adam village, two and a half kilometers east of Naniachari Upazila headquarters.
The incident took place at around 1 p.m. About 25 army personnel encircled and then searched the houses of Jetto Chakma s/o August Moni Chakma and Petto Chakma s/o late Pralhad Chakma.
The soldiers asked them whether "terrorists" come to their houses.
They found some back copies of Swadhikar bulletin, a mouth piece of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), in one of the houses and took them away.
The commander also asked Jetto Chakma to report to the zone headquarters tomorrow, i.e. on 10 December.
Meanwhile, sources said the military has stepped up patrol in Naniachar.
Sources by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
The incident took place at around 1 p.m. About 25 army personnel encircled and then searched the houses of Jetto Chakma s/o August Moni Chakma and Petto Chakma s/o late Pralhad Chakma.
The soldiers asked them whether "terrorists" come to their houses.
They found some back copies of Swadhikar bulletin, a mouth piece of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), in one of the houses and took them away.
The commander also asked Jetto Chakma to report to the zone headquarters tomorrow, i.e. on 10 December.
Meanwhile, sources said the military has stepped up patrol in Naniachar.
Sources by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Victims of land grabbing held press conference in Dhaka
Victims of recent land grabbing at a press conference in Dhaka today demanded of the interim caretaker government of Dr. Farkruddin Ahmed to immediately put a stop to grabbing of Jumma people's land in Mahalchari and other places of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. (Photo of the press conference attached)
Held at 2:30 p.m. at Reporters Unity Building, the press conference was attended, among others, by Biddya Binod Chakma, Headman of Kiang-ghat Mouza, Dinendra Lal Chakma, Headman of Lemuchari Mouza, Gyana Lal Chakma of Gamaridhala village, and land-grab victims Shushil Bhushan Chakma and Ms. Angali Chakma. A total of 18 victims and members of Mahalchari Land Protection Committee came to Dhaka for the press conference.
Mr. Biddya Binod Chakma read out a written statement to the journalists present at the press conference. He alleged that, "during the last nine months over 366.02 acres of land belonging to 120 Jummas and a primary school in 12 villages under 4 Unions of Mahalchari Thana and Khagrachari Sadar Thana were forcibly taken away."
The statement further said, "Since March Jumma peoples' lands have been forcibly taken away one after another taking advantage of the state of emergency. We had been enjoying those lands for generations. We had planted teak and Gamari orchards, bamboo groves and many other kinds of fruit trees on those lands."
"A powerful quarter is directly as well as indirectly instigating and abetting the settlers to grab our lands", alleged Mr. Chakma and added that if prevented, the land grabbers threatened the Jummas with arrests and death in "crossfire".
The statement further said, "We have shown valid land documents, but they did not pay heed to them.
"He accused the local administration of not taking any action to stop land grabbing and said, "we have complained to the local authorities, but got no justice."
He put forward a three-point demand which includes 1. putting an immediate stop to land grabbing in Mahalchari and return the grabbed lands to their rightful owners; 2. bringing the land grabbers and their abettors to justice and 3. recognition to traditional land laws of the Jumma people.
Land-grab victims Shushil Bhushan Chakma and Angali Chakma answered the questions of the journalists.
In reply to a question, Ms Angali Chakma said, "the settlers are constructing houses near our home. When we protested, the settlers told us that the food rations that they get from the government would be stopped if they refused to settle in Jumma peoples' lands."
She expressed fear that her lands might be taken away by the time she got back home.
Sources by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Held at 2:30 p.m. at Reporters Unity Building, the press conference was attended, among others, by Biddya Binod Chakma, Headman of Kiang-ghat Mouza, Dinendra Lal Chakma, Headman of Lemuchari Mouza, Gyana Lal Chakma of Gamaridhala village, and land-grab victims Shushil Bhushan Chakma and Ms. Angali Chakma. A total of 18 victims and members of Mahalchari Land Protection Committee came to Dhaka for the press conference.
Mr. Biddya Binod Chakma read out a written statement to the journalists present at the press conference. He alleged that, "during the last nine months over 366.02 acres of land belonging to 120 Jummas and a primary school in 12 villages under 4 Unions of Mahalchari Thana and Khagrachari Sadar Thana were forcibly taken away."
The statement further said, "Since March Jumma peoples' lands have been forcibly taken away one after another taking advantage of the state of emergency. We had been enjoying those lands for generations. We had planted teak and Gamari orchards, bamboo groves and many other kinds of fruit trees on those lands."
"A powerful quarter is directly as well as indirectly instigating and abetting the settlers to grab our lands", alleged Mr. Chakma and added that if prevented, the land grabbers threatened the Jummas with arrests and death in "crossfire".
The statement further said, "We have shown valid land documents, but they did not pay heed to them.
"He accused the local administration of not taking any action to stop land grabbing and said, "we have complained to the local authorities, but got no justice."
He put forward a three-point demand which includes 1. putting an immediate stop to land grabbing in Mahalchari and return the grabbed lands to their rightful owners; 2. bringing the land grabbers and their abettors to justice and 3. recognition to traditional land laws of the Jumma people.
Land-grab victims Shushil Bhushan Chakma and Angali Chakma answered the questions of the journalists.
In reply to a question, Ms Angali Chakma said, "the settlers are constructing houses near our home. When we protested, the settlers told us that the food rations that they get from the government would be stopped if they refused to settle in Jumma peoples' lands."
She expressed fear that her lands might be taken away by the time she got back home.
Sources by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Army threatens Headman to agree to illegal Bengali settlement
The second-in-command of Mahalchari Army zone, Major Gaffar yesterday,8 December 2007, threatened Niroti Chakma, headman of Ugudochari Mouzaunder Khagrachari district, to agree to new illegal Bengali settlementin his area.
The Major called Niroti Chakma and Biswajit Chakma, chairman ofKiang-ghat Union under Mahalchari Thana, to the zone headquarters andasked them to agree to the army plan to settle more Bengali people inUgudochari. He sought to coerce them into agreeing the plan and said:"I can put you in a dungeon any time. So do as you are told. You mustlook into the matter of the Bengalis".
Niroti Chakma told the Army commander that when it came to thesettlement of the Bengali people he was helpless because they did notpossess any valid land documents. He also reminded him that all thelands the settlers want to settle on belong to the Jumma people.
Fresh attempt
One of our sources in Maischari said the illegal settlers made anotherattempt today to capture Jumma villagers' land Ugudochari. Thesettlers went to an area near Aryopur Kuthir to cut jungle forconstruction of houses. No further details are available.
Press conference in DhakaVictims of recent land grabbing in Mahalchari are holding a pressconference at Reporters Unity offices in Dhaka to highlight theirproblem. The press conference is underway at the moment.
Source by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com orhwhrf.cht@gmail.com
The Major called Niroti Chakma and Biswajit Chakma, chairman ofKiang-ghat Union under Mahalchari Thana, to the zone headquarters andasked them to agree to the army plan to settle more Bengali people inUgudochari. He sought to coerce them into agreeing the plan and said:"I can put you in a dungeon any time. So do as you are told. You mustlook into the matter of the Bengalis".
Niroti Chakma told the Army commander that when it came to thesettlement of the Bengali people he was helpless because they did notpossess any valid land documents. He also reminded him that all thelands the settlers want to settle on belong to the Jumma people.
Fresh attempt
One of our sources in Maischari said the illegal settlers made anotherattempt today to capture Jumma villagers' land Ugudochari. Thesettlers went to an area near Aryopur Kuthir to cut jungle forconstruction of houses. No further details are available.
Press conference in DhakaVictims of recent land grabbing in Mahalchari are holding a pressconference at Reporters Unity offices in Dhaka to highlight theirproblem. The press conference is underway at the moment.
Source by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com orhwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Friday, December 7, 2007
Attempted rape on a teen Jumma girl
A teen aged Jumma girl has been subjected to sexual assault in Ramgarh under Khagrachari district.
Miss Apruma Marma, aged 10, (father's name Ramau Marma) was on her way back home from school when an illegal Bengali settler named Shahin (30) from Gochchabil cluster village in Manikchari Thana attempted to
rape her. The incident occurred at around 4 p.m. on 4 December 2007,Tuesday.
As the settler seized her, she screamed for help and Jumma people from nearby areas rushed there and rescued her. However, by the time they reached there, the culprit escaped from the scene.
Apruma Mrama lives in North Hafchari village under Ramgarh Thana. She reads in class five in Wakchari Government Primary School.
No case has been filed in connection with the incident so far. The army has stepped up its presence and vigil to protect some 14 settler families who live near the house of Miss Apruma Marma.
These Bengali families were settled in 2006 in Rimrong Para and Wakchari after displacing many Marma families. Since then, the Marma people have been living under the shadow of fear of attack from the settlers.
Source by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,
Miss Apruma Marma, aged 10, (father's name Ramau Marma) was on her way back home from school when an illegal Bengali settler named Shahin (30) from Gochchabil cluster village in Manikchari Thana attempted to
rape her. The incident occurred at around 4 p.m. on 4 December 2007,Tuesday.
As the settler seized her, she screamed for help and Jumma people from nearby areas rushed there and rescued her. However, by the time they reached there, the culprit escaped from the scene.
Apruma Mrama lives in North Hafchari village under Ramgarh Thana. She reads in class five in Wakchari Government Primary School.
No case has been filed in connection with the incident so far. The army has stepped up its presence and vigil to protect some 14 settler families who live near the house of Miss Apruma Marma.
These Bengali families were settled in 2006 in Rimrong Para and Wakchari after displacing many Marma families. Since then, the Marma people have been living under the shadow of fear of attack from the settlers.
Source by- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum,
contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Bangladesh praises Tripura's teaching method
Agartala, Dec 6 - A delegation from Bangladesh has been bowled over by the teaching procedures of tribal languages in different schools in Tripura.
A group of 12 experts from the Bangladesh Tripuri Kalyan Foundation (BTKF), arrived Wednesday on a weeklong visit to Tripura, has found the tribal language teaching technique in the state very efficient.
The Bangladeshi team is here to study the teaching methods, script and curriculum of tribal languages taught in schools in the state.
'We want to introduce languages spoken by tribes at primary school level from the academic year of 2008,' said Sagarika Roaza, advisor of the BTKF said here Thursday.
The tribal population in Bangladesh is about 600,000 comprising of 11 tribes having distinct languages, culture and traditions. The tribals are spread over three districts of Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.
Most tribal community in Bangladesh are similar to tribals of India's northeast.
'Bangladesh government's CHT affairs ministry has extended all support to introduce teaching in tribal languages for the ethnic students from the next academic year,' said Anupam Tripura, member of the Khagrachari Hill District Council.
'We are providing support, guidance and sharing knowledge with the visiting delegation for improving method of teaching in tribal languages in Bangladesh,' said Jitendra Chowdhury, Tripura's tribal welfare minister.
The Bangladesh delegation also interacted with officials of the Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council (TTADC), responsible for all round development of the tribal populace that constitutes one third of Tripura's 3.5 million population.
Source by-http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/154262.html
A group of 12 experts from the Bangladesh Tripuri Kalyan Foundation (BTKF), arrived Wednesday on a weeklong visit to Tripura, has found the tribal language teaching technique in the state very efficient.
The Bangladeshi team is here to study the teaching methods, script and curriculum of tribal languages taught in schools in the state.
'We want to introduce languages spoken by tribes at primary school level from the academic year of 2008,' said Sagarika Roaza, advisor of the BTKF said here Thursday.
The tribal population in Bangladesh is about 600,000 comprising of 11 tribes having distinct languages, culture and traditions. The tribals are spread over three districts of Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.
Most tribal community in Bangladesh are similar to tribals of India's northeast.
'Bangladesh government's CHT affairs ministry has extended all support to introduce teaching in tribal languages for the ethnic students from the next academic year,' said Anupam Tripura, member of the Khagrachari Hill District Council.
'We are providing support, guidance and sharing knowledge with the visiting delegation for improving method of teaching in tribal languages in Bangladesh,' said Jitendra Chowdhury, Tripura's tribal welfare minister.
The Bangladesh delegation also interacted with officials of the Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council (TTADC), responsible for all round development of the tribal populace that constitutes one third of Tripura's 3.5 million population.
Source by-http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/154262.html
Jumma in Japan express condolence
December 3rd, 2007
Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Advisor
Interim Caretaker Government
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dear Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed,
We, the undersigned organisations and individuals would first like to offer our condolences to Bangladesh for the loss of life and devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr. We commend and admire the resilience of the Bangladesh people at this time.
We are writing to you to express our grave concern about the current situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh. As you will know, this week marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the peace accord in the CHT. However, this anniversary does not bring cause for celebration. There has been a catastrophic failure to implement the peace deal, and human rights violations and land grabbing incidents have increased since Emergency Rule was declared in January this year.
More than 50 indigenous activists have been arrested since January, often on false arms charges. Many have been tortured and given long and unjust prison terms, and two 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. We are concerned for his safety and the safety of other Jummas currently being detained.
Despite the promises of the peace accord, almost all the army camps in the CHT remain in place. Returnee refugees and internally displaced people have yet to have their homes and lands returned to them. Land continues to be stolen from the Jumma tribal people by both the army and by settlers, who are supported by the government in the form of food rations. Intimidation of activists, rape of Jumma women and other abuses of human rights remain rife.
We, the undersigned, urge your caretaker government to use the opportunity of the tenth anniversary to fully implement the peace accord - to withdraw the army camps, to restore land stolen from the indigenous Jummas, to put an end to human rights violations in the region and to ensure that those responsible for these violations are brought to justice. We further ask that the convictions of the Jumma leaders arrested this year be thoroughly investigated by an independent body, and that those who are innocent be released immediately.
Your government’s stance on the CHT saddens many Japanese people, tarnishing our friendship and trust towards Bangladesh. We Japanese citizens strongly urge the Bangladesh government to implement the CHT peace accord in good faith.
Yours sincerely,
Shimosawa Takashi, President, Jumma Net
Endorsing Organizations:
Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center
Chittagong Hill Children Fund
HUTAN Group
The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism
(IMADR)
Japan CHT Committee
The Japan Citizen's Coalition for the UN International Decade of the World's
Indigenous Peoples
Jumma Net
Sarawak Campaign Committee
Shimin Gaikou Centre
Walking Together With Jumma Peoples (Jumma-to-Ayumu-Kai)
Individuals:
CHICHIKKO CHAKMA
Stephanie Coop
Tom Eskildsen, Jumma Net
Fumio FUJII, Jummanet
Mieko Fujioka
Atul Gupta
Tetz Hakoda (Student, Kobe University)
Setsu Hanasaki
Kimiyasu Imamura
Inoue Mutuko, Hachioji Shigikai Giin
Hiroaki Ishimi, Tokyo Ainu'shi kenkyukai
Shingo Ito
Toyoyuki Kawakami, Board member of AM-Net (Advocacy and Monitoring Network on Sustainable
Development)
Yoko Kitazawa, Co-Chair, Japan Network on Debt & Poverty
Kazuo KUMATA
Kenji KUNO, Jummanet
Mika Kurato, Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center
Ken Masuoka
Midori Matsuda, Jumma Net
Kazuo MORIMOTO, Survival Japan Network
Hisako Motoyama, Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center
Yoshihiko Murata, Japan CHT Committee (Yokohama-shi)
Kayoko Nadamoto
Nagase Riei
Shogo Nakano
Mayuki Nito, The Sparrow Tree
NOMURA Tamio, Jumma Net
Toshiyuki Ohmae
Madoka Onizuka
Yuki Sakamoto
Maoki Sato (Space Alta)
Takashi Shimosawa, President, Jumma Net
SHINOMIYA　Sanae
KAORI TAKEUCHI
Tamura Yukari
Yuki Tanabe, Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES)
Naoko Watabe
Shogo WATANABE（Attorney at Law）
YAMADA Kikuko, WAM member
Yamanouchi, Etsuko
Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Advisor
Interim Caretaker Government
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dear Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed,
We, the undersigned organisations and individuals would first like to offer our condolences to Bangladesh for the loss of life and devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr. We commend and admire the resilience of the Bangladesh people at this time.
We are writing to you to express our grave concern about the current situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh. As you will know, this week marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the peace accord in the CHT. However, this anniversary does not bring cause for celebration. There has been a catastrophic failure to implement the peace deal, and human rights violations and land grabbing incidents have increased since Emergency Rule was declared in January this year.
More than 50 indigenous activists have been arrested since January, often on false arms charges. Many have been tortured and given long and unjust prison terms, and two 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. We are concerned for his safety and the safety of other Jummas currently being detained.
Despite the promises of the peace accord, almost all the army camps in the CHT remain in place. Returnee refugees and internally displaced people have yet to have their homes and lands returned to them. Land continues to be stolen from the Jumma tribal people by both the army and by settlers, who are supported by the government in the form of food rations. Intimidation of activists, rape of Jumma women and other abuses of human rights remain rife.
We, the undersigned, urge your caretaker government to use the opportunity of the tenth anniversary to fully implement the peace accord - to withdraw the army camps, to restore land stolen from the indigenous Jummas, to put an end to human rights violations in the region and to ensure that those responsible for these violations are brought to justice. We further ask that the convictions of the Jumma leaders arrested this year be thoroughly investigated by an independent body, and that those who are innocent be released immediately.
Your government’s stance on the CHT saddens many Japanese people, tarnishing our friendship and trust towards Bangladesh. We Japanese citizens strongly urge the Bangladesh government to implement the CHT peace accord in good faith.
Yours sincerely,
Shimosawa Takashi, President, Jumma Net
Endorsing Organizations:
Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center
Chittagong Hill Children Fund
HUTAN Group
The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism
(IMADR)
Japan CHT Committee
The Japan Citizen's Coalition for the UN International Decade of the World's
Indigenous Peoples
Jumma Net
Sarawak Campaign Committee
Shimin Gaikou Centre
Walking Together With Jumma Peoples (Jumma-to-Ayumu-Kai)
Individuals:
CHICHIKKO CHAKMA
Stephanie Coop
Tom Eskildsen, Jumma Net
Fumio FUJII, Jummanet
Mieko Fujioka
Atul Gupta
Tetz Hakoda (Student, Kobe University)
Setsu Hanasaki
Kimiyasu Imamura
Inoue Mutuko, Hachioji Shigikai Giin
Hiroaki Ishimi, Tokyo Ainu'shi kenkyukai
Shingo Ito
Toyoyuki Kawakami, Board member of AM-Net (Advocacy and Monitoring Network on Sustainable
Development)
Yoko Kitazawa, Co-Chair, Japan Network on Debt & Poverty
Kazuo KUMATA
Kenji KUNO, Jummanet
Mika Kurato, Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center
Ken Masuoka
Midori Matsuda, Jumma Net
Kazuo MORIMOTO, Survival Japan Network
Hisako Motoyama, Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center
Yoshihiko Murata, Japan CHT Committee (Yokohama-shi)
Kayoko Nadamoto
Nagase Riei
Shogo Nakano
Mayuki Nito, The Sparrow Tree
NOMURA Tamio, Jumma Net
Toshiyuki Ohmae
Madoka Onizuka
Yuki Sakamoto
Maoki Sato (Space Alta)
Takashi Shimosawa, President, Jumma Net
SHINOMIYA　Sanae
KAORI TAKEUCHI
Tamura Yukari
Yuki Tanabe, Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES)
Naoko Watabe
Shogo WATANABE（Attorney at Law）
YAMADA Kikuko, WAM member
Yamanouchi, Etsuko
CHT people worried over prevalence of anemia
People living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have been suffering from different health complexities including death risks and hindrances to physical and mental growth due to prevalence of anemia.
Eighty (80) percent children aged 6 to 23 months are suffering from anemia, Jan-e-Alam, Deputy Project Director (DPD) of Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) informed this citing a survey report conducted by Hellen Keller, an international NGO.
The ICDP has introduced a special programme in CHT in order to prevent and control anemia, a serious disease creator element.
A total of 46 percent teenaged girls and 39 percent women aged up to 49 years are experiencing this evil element of disease in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, the DPD added.
49 percent pregnant women living in the hilly region are also victims of the disease, he mentioned quoting the survey report.
Although anemia itself is not a disease but it causes disease, Dr. Saiful Islam, Residential Medial Officer (RMO) of Rangamati General Hospital said adding, it hinders physical and mental growth of children and adolescents as well as abates resistance power in human body.
Excessive anemia during pregnancy period increases death risk of both mothers and babies in the womb, the RMO said.
The programme is being implemented preliminarily in 933 Para centres of ICDP in nine Upazilas under the three hill districts by providing iron tablet, vermicide tablet and iron powder. All the upazilas will be brought gradually under the programme, officials said.
Besides, necessary advice such as taking food, which have plenty of iron and vitamin, are being disseminated among the villagers through Para workers and adolescent girl leaders to attain the goal of the programme.
Meanwhile, two activists - one para worker and one adolescent girl leader from every centre of 933 were imparted training on the topic to make the programme a success.
The nine upazilas, where the programme is running, are Rangamati sadar, Rajasthali and Baghaichhari of Rangamati district, Khagrachhari sadar, Matiranga and Lokkichhari under Khagrachhari district and Roangchhari, Niakkongchhari and Lama Upazila under Bandarban hill district as well as about 1.50 lakh people of 28,000 families in those upazilas are getting the service funded by UNICEF.
Apart from the advice of taking vitamin-enriched food, the authority is advising the people to control diarrhea and malaria in order to remain aloof from anemia.
The ICDP under Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, a major development agency of the area established in 1976, implements different programmes of Tk 180 crore to develop health condition of mothers and children living in the hilly region.
Source from-http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2007/11/20/news0605.htm
Eighty (80) percent children aged 6 to 23 months are suffering from anemia, Jan-e-Alam, Deputy Project Director (DPD) of Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) informed this citing a survey report conducted by Hellen Keller, an international NGO.
The ICDP has introduced a special programme in CHT in order to prevent and control anemia, a serious disease creator element.
A total of 46 percent teenaged girls and 39 percent women aged up to 49 years are experiencing this evil element of disease in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, the DPD added.
49 percent pregnant women living in the hilly region are also victims of the disease, he mentioned quoting the survey report.
Although anemia itself is not a disease but it causes disease, Dr. Saiful Islam, Residential Medial Officer (RMO) of Rangamati General Hospital said adding, it hinders physical and mental growth of children and adolescents as well as abates resistance power in human body.
Excessive anemia during pregnancy period increases death risk of both mothers and babies in the womb, the RMO said.
The programme is being implemented preliminarily in 933 Para centres of ICDP in nine Upazilas under the three hill districts by providing iron tablet, vermicide tablet and iron powder. All the upazilas will be brought gradually under the programme, officials said.
Besides, necessary advice such as taking food, which have plenty of iron and vitamin, are being disseminated among the villagers through Para workers and adolescent girl leaders to attain the goal of the programme.
Meanwhile, two activists - one para worker and one adolescent girl leader from every centre of 933 were imparted training on the topic to make the programme a success.
The nine upazilas, where the programme is running, are Rangamati sadar, Rajasthali and Baghaichhari of Rangamati district, Khagrachhari sadar, Matiranga and Lokkichhari under Khagrachhari district and Roangchhari, Niakkongchhari and Lama Upazila under Bandarban hill district as well as about 1.50 lakh people of 28,000 families in those upazilas are getting the service funded by UNICEF.
Apart from the advice of taking vitamin-enriched food, the authority is advising the people to control diarrhea and malaria in order to remain aloof from anemia.
The ICDP under Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, a major development agency of the area established in 1976, implements different programmes of Tk 180 crore to develop health condition of mothers and children living in the hilly region.
Source from-http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2007/11/20/news0605.htm
Citizenship for Bangladeshi refugees in Arunachal opposed
Guwahati: The North-East Students’ Organisation (NESO), an umbrella organisation of students’ bodies of the north-eastern States, on Tuesday opposed granting citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees of Arunachal Pradesh. But if it had to be done, they must be settled outside the northeast region, it said.
Briefing reporters on the resolutions adopted at the first meeting of newly elected NESO central executive, its secretary-general Gunjum Haider and chairman Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya expressed the apprehension that the refugees would overwhelm the indigenous population of Arunachal Pradesh by 2020.
Between 1964 and 1969, a total of 2748 Chakma and Hajong families consisting of 14,888 persons settled down in Arunachal Pradesh. They had fled their ancestral land in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of the erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to escape religious persecution of Buddhists.The NESO leaders accused the Assam government of protecting “illegal Bangladeshi migrants” who were served quit notice and driven out from Arunachal Pradesh by the All-Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union during its “Operation Clean” campaign. Mr. Haider alleged that some of them had re-entered Aruanchal Pradesh equipped with “some papers issued by village headmen in Assam.” The NESO demanded special constitutional status for the people of the northeast with adequate rights over land and natural resources and introduction of inner line permits in all the States of the region to protect them from being overwhelmed by illegal migrants and outsiders.
The student body plans to observe North East demand day on December 17 when it will call on Governors of the north-eastern States to submit memoranda addressed to the Prime Minister. It will also begin a survey of Central government organisations to find out how many from the northeast they had employed. The NESO reiterated its demand for 100 per cent reservation of C and D category jobs in all Central and semi-Central organisations in the region for the locals, declaration of the northeast as a special employment zone and constitution of a special commission to address the economic issues of the region.
Expressing concern at the situation in Myanmar, the NESO said the Centre should tell the military junta to stop the suppression of the democratic movement. The NESO leaders claimed that several thousand Myanmarese had fled to Mizoram. They warned the Centre of serious economic consequences.
Source from-http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/05/stories/2007120561251100.htm
Briefing reporters on the resolutions adopted at the first meeting of newly elected NESO central executive, its secretary-general Gunjum Haider and chairman Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya expressed the apprehension that the refugees would overwhelm the indigenous population of Arunachal Pradesh by 2020.
Between 1964 and 1969, a total of 2748 Chakma and Hajong families consisting of 14,888 persons settled down in Arunachal Pradesh. They had fled their ancestral land in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of the erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to escape religious persecution of Buddhists.The NESO leaders accused the Assam government of protecting “illegal Bangladeshi migrants” who were served quit notice and driven out from Arunachal Pradesh by the All-Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union during its “Operation Clean” campaign. Mr. Haider alleged that some of them had re-entered Aruanchal Pradesh equipped with “some papers issued by village headmen in Assam.” The NESO demanded special constitutional status for the people of the northeast with adequate rights over land and natural resources and introduction of inner line permits in all the States of the region to protect them from being overwhelmed by illegal migrants and outsiders.
The student body plans to observe North East demand day on December 17 when it will call on Governors of the north-eastern States to submit memoranda addressed to the Prime Minister. It will also begin a survey of Central government organisations to find out how many from the northeast they had employed. The NESO reiterated its demand for 100 per cent reservation of C and D category jobs in all Central and semi-Central organisations in the region for the locals, declaration of the northeast as a special employment zone and constitution of a special commission to address the economic issues of the region.
Expressing concern at the situation in Myanmar, the NESO said the Centre should tell the military junta to stop the suppression of the democratic movement. The NESO leaders claimed that several thousand Myanmarese had fled to Mizoram. They warned the Centre of serious economic consequences.
Source from-http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/05/stories/2007120561251100.htm
Monday, December 3, 2007
Innocent villager beaten by army in Mahalchari
On 23 November 2007, Ram Kamal Chakma, 28, s/o Summey Chakma of
village Hullyang para under Mubhachari Union in Khagrachari distrct
was beaten up by army personnel from Mahalchari zone.
Mr. Chakma was returning from Mahalchari bazaar at around 8 p.m. after
participating in Ras Puja festival of the Hindus, when Major Gaffar,
second-in-command of Mahalchari army zone (24 Bengal), detained him.
He was taken to the torture cell of the camp with his hands tied down
and tortured inhumanly. He was kicked and punched so badly that ten
days after the incident he is still unable to stand up and walk.
The army personnel asked him whether he had possessed any firearms.
Initially he told them that he did not have any. But when the beating
became severe and intolerable, he confessed to having a gun in his
home.
Then, after midnight he was taken there, and the army searched the
house. However, no firearms were recovered.
At 3 a.m. he was set free after the local Union Council member and
other village elders spoke of his innocence.
Recently, the army has stepped up raids and searches in Maischari. In
the last one week, army personnel from Kiang-ghat camp raided East
Manikchari village trice, however no one was arrested. They told the
head of the village that they would set up a camp in that area. Army
patrol in other areas has also been increased.
Local villagers believe that these army actions are mainly to create
an atmosphere of fear among the Jumma people to help the settlers
forcibly take away lands belonging to the Jumma people.
According to an estimate, from July - November 2007 at least 200 acres
have been grabbed by settlers in Maischari.
.............................................
[Hill Watch Human Rights Forum provides accurate, objective and
reliable information on human rights abuses in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts. For further details contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or
hwhrf.cht@gmail.com]
village Hullyang para under Mubhachari Union in Khagrachari distrct
was beaten up by army personnel from Mahalchari zone.
Mr. Chakma was returning from Mahalchari bazaar at around 8 p.m. after
participating in Ras Puja festival of the Hindus, when Major Gaffar,
second-in-command of Mahalchari army zone (24 Bengal), detained him.
He was taken to the torture cell of the camp with his hands tied down
and tortured inhumanly. He was kicked and punched so badly that ten
days after the incident he is still unable to stand up and walk.
The army personnel asked him whether he had possessed any firearms.
Initially he told them that he did not have any. But when the beating
became severe and intolerable, he confessed to having a gun in his
home.
Then, after midnight he was taken there, and the army searched the
house. However, no firearms were recovered.
At 3 a.m. he was set free after the local Union Council member and
other village elders spoke of his innocence.
Recently, the army has stepped up raids and searches in Maischari. In
the last one week, army personnel from Kiang-ghat camp raided East
Manikchari village trice, however no one was arrested. They told the
head of the village that they would set up a camp in that area. Army
patrol in other areas has also been increased.
Local villagers believe that these army actions are mainly to create
an atmosphere of fear among the Jumma people to help the settlers
forcibly take away lands belonging to the Jumma people.
According to an estimate, from July - November 2007 at least 200 acres
have been grabbed by settlers in Maischari.
.............................................
[Hill Watch Human Rights Forum provides accurate, objective and
reliable information on human rights abuses in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts. For further details contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or
hwhrf.cht@gmail.com]
Ex-UPDF member arrested by army in Kudukchari
On 1 December 2007, army personnel from Kudukchari bazaar camp under Rangamati district arrested Chironjeeb Chakma, an ex-member of the United People's Democratic Front, a political party of the indigenous Jumma people campaigning for full autonomy for the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh.
Mr. Chakma was arrested from Bot-toli, about 300 yards from the camp, at 8 a.m. when he was returning from the house of his father-in-law in the village of Naranchara. He hails from southern CHT district of Bandarban.
He was immediately taken to the camp and tortured.
He has not been handed over to the police till the writing of this report at 7 p.m. today, 3 December.
[Hill Watch Human Rights Forum provides accurate, objective and reliable information on human rights abuses in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. For further details contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com]
Mr. Chakma was arrested from Bot-toli, about 300 yards from the camp, at 8 a.m. when he was returning from the house of his father-in-law in the village of Naranchara. He hails from southern CHT district of Bandarban.
He was immediately taken to the camp and tortured.
He has not been handed over to the police till the writing of this report at 7 p.m. today, 3 December.
[Hill Watch Human Rights Forum provides accurate, objective and reliable information on human rights abuses in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. For further details contact: hwhrf_99@yahoo.com or hwhrf.cht@gmail.com]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
