4th meeting of the CHT Accord Implementation Committee held in Dhaka

24 January 2012
Posted in News

On 22 January 2012 4th meeting of the Committee was held at the office of Deputy Leader at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka with its convenor Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair. Other two members of the Committee president of PCJSS Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma and chairman of the Task Force on Rehabilitation of returnee refugees and IDPs Jatindra Lal Tripura MP attended the meeting. Besides, Gowher Rizvi, advisor on international affairs to the Prime Minister was also present in this meeting.

Among others, it was decided to amend the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 as per recommendations of CHT Regional Council and CHT Affairs Ministry in the next winter session of the Parliament. Besides, the implementation of other issues of the Accord was also discussed in this meeting.

It is mentionable that this year earmarks the passing of 14 years since the signing of the CHT Accord. Meanwhile, the present Grand Alliance Government led by Awami League that signed the Accord has already consumed almost 3 years of its tenure. But as of today, except reconstitution of some committees and appointment to the some posts, the government has not stepped up any measure that is effective towards implementation of the Accord. Despite its prioritized commitment in the Election Manifesto and continued strong demand of the Jumma peoples and the civic society of the country, the government has not come up with a time-framed ‘Road Map’ directing to implementation of the CHT Accord, 1997.

Very recently government started up dialogue with the PCJSS for ways forward of implementation of CHT Accord. Earlier, two meetings were held recently between Mr. Larma, president of PCJSS and chairman of CHT Regional Council and Mr. Rizvi, advisor on international affairs to the Prime Minister. Lastly on 16 January 2012 meeting between Mr. Larma and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was held.

Human Rights Report 2011 on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh published

09 January 2012
Posted in Kapaeeng Foundation Newsletters

On 9 January 2012 “Human Rights Report 2011 on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh” has been published by Kapaeeng Foundation, a national human rights organisation for indigenous peoples in Bangladesh, with the support of Oxfam. The report was unveiled by eminent educationist and former Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui.

A launching programme was held by Kapaeeng Foundation on 9 January 2012 at 10.00 am at Auditorium of National Planning and Development Academy in Dhaka with chairperson of Kapaeeng Foundation Rabindranath Soren in the chair. Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, former Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University was present as chief guest in the programme. Sultana Kamal, Co-chair of International CHT Commission; Nawab Ali Abbas Khan, MP and Member of Parliamentary Caucus on Indigenous Issues; Barrister Sara Hossain, Honourary Director, BLAST; Mr. M B Akhter, Programme Manager, Oxfam; Dr. Dalem Chandra Barman, Professor of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of University of Dhaka and Mangal Kumar Chakma, Advisor, Kapaeeng Foundation spoke in the launching programme. Coordinator of KF Mong Sing Neo presented human rights situation of indigenous peoples 2011 while Saikat Biswas, programme officer of Oxfam delivered welcome speech. Vice chairperson of KF Dipayon Khisa conducted the launching programme. Hundreds of indigenous activists and civil society members were present in the launching programme.

Besides, member of International CHT Commission Swapan Adnan, teacher of Dhaka University Robaet Ferdous, national coordinator on indigenous peoples of ILO Abhilash Tripura, Tandra Chakma of Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ramanath Mahato and Subin Chandra Munda of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Eujin Nekrek of Joyenshahi Adivasi Unnayan Parishad, Tuli Labanya Mrong of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Daniel Dokhar from Sylhet, Harendranath Sing of Adivasi Juba Parishad, Trimita Chakma of Coffey International Development et al.

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