Implementation of Peace Accord

Former adviser to the caretaker government Sultana Kamal speaks at a press conference organised by the International CHT Commission at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On her left are Lord Eric Avebury and Sara Hossain and on her right is Dr Shapan Adnan.Photo: STARStaff Correspondent

Speakers at a briefing yesterday said activating land commission, pursuing voluntary relocation of settlers and demilitarisation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) administration within a declared time frame must be considered on priority basis to ensure full implementation of the CHT peace accord.

“CHT administration must be demilitarised as far as it is possible. Land commission must be activated and illegally occupied lands must be recovered and returned to its real owners,” said Dr Shapan Adnan, one of the delegation members of the commission.
The commission also recommend the government for engaging an impartial and accountable body to review vexatious cases to ensure effective redress and reparation to the affected indigenous people who very often fell victim to false cases.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) at the press briefing at the National Press club in the city came up with the recommendations after completing its second mission in CHT yesterday and urged the government to initiate concrete and time-bound actions for full implementation of the treaty.
CHTC Chairman Lord Eric Avebury said, “CHTC agrees with the government that the problems of the CHT are primarily political in nature and therefore demand political rather than military solutions.”

The recommendations focused on enhancing the power of civil administration in CHT and protecting human rights and ensuring access to justice in the areas.
The recommendations also mentioned that the ongoing Operation Uttoron in CHT confers on the military rights to intervene in civil matters beyond their proper jurisdiction and urged the government to publicise text of the operation for public scrutiny, saying, “The commission would like to see the phased withdrawal of troops from the areas as mentioned in the accord to be completed within a declared time frame.”

Other recommendations include activating Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Domon Tribunal in every CHT district, implementing provisions for resettlement and rehabilitation of repatriated hilly refugees, survey and updating land records and compiling voter list in the hill district councils, activating land disputes resolution commission and cancellation of unduly prolonged provision for free rations to Bangalee settlers in the areas.

Barrister Sara Hossain and Sultana Kamal also took part in the programme