CHT NEWS UPDATE: Constitutional recognition is a must to solve problems of indigenous peoples, said NHRC chairman Prof. Mizanur Rahman

Constitutional recognition is a must to solve problems of indigenous peoples, said NHRC chairman Prof. Mizanur Rahman

Photo courtesy: Ananta Bikash Dhamai.

Constitutional recognition is a must to solve problems of indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples need to reach the concerns to government as they are not addressing your problems at all. The government is trying to call indigenous peoples by the name of its choice and this is unacceptable, said chairman of National Human Rights Commission Prof. Mizanur Rahman.

Prof. Rahman was addressing a seminar titled “Human Rights and Dignity of Indigenous Peoples in South Asia: Bangladesh Context” organised by Kapaeeng Foundation and Jatiya Adivasi Parishad at the auditorium of Institute of Business Administration in Dhaka University.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman said, ‘before I go on to the analysis, I want to say that, the subject matter itself brings a broad meaning. Until and unless the South Asian people do not pay respect to human being, it is not possible to make another South Asia. At first we need to think to establish another Bangladesh before the discussion of another South Asia.’ He called upon indigenous peoples to encourage the masses from the mainstream to join and strengthen their movement.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haque Inu asked the government to fulfill the promises made to the indigenous peoples during the last national election and not to betray the community. “Do not betray because there is no place for betrayers. Fulfill the promise you (government) made to indigenous people earlier,” said the lawmaker. He called on the ruling alliance Awami League to keep its promise although 14 years had already gone by. Mr. Inu also chairman of parliamentary standing committee on telecommunication ministry said that constitutional recognition, formation of a indigenous peoples rights commission and the enactment of a indigenous peoples rights law were a must.

In his speech as Chief Guest, Barrister Raja Devasish Roy stated that, ‘the dream for formation of another South Asia should be a dream for humanistic South Asia. The sense of value of indigenous peoples is a consolidated virtue. If we lose the values we will lose our indigenousness.’ He says, ‘Indigenous peoples need the co-operation of mainstream people, NGO etc. Otherwise their rights will not be promoted. He concluded his speech with thanks to all guests, participants and co-organizers saying that, ‘We the indigenous peoples should struggle together from a unique place either in rural area or in city to gain our rights.’

Dr. Shamim Imam talked about some reports. She said that problem of CHT is a man-made crisis while in plan land most problems are generated from natural disaster. One of the main causes in committing sexual violence against indigenous women is land grabbing. Indigenous women were targeted by Bengali settlers with the intention to grab their land.

Mr. Naresh Jamatia, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Indian State of Tripura pointed out about the problems which are existing in the whole world, engendered from Capitalism. If we want to establish the indigenous peoples’ rights, at first we need to take initiative to set up socialism.

Mr. Saeed Baloch, General Secretary of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum put into words that, ‘the problem of indigenous peoples is a worldwide problem. In Pakistan, the indigenous peoples do not have any proper access to Pakistani laws. For this reason, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is known as a terrorist area, because they are living in the line of enemy. Every day people are murdered in ‘FATA’. Pakistani Journalists are not allowed to go there. For that, the news of the incidents do not get media coverage. If we able to establish a free access in South Asia in respect of humanity and if we all people belong to a fraternity, no need to maintain any strict rules for Adivasi.’

Organising Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Mr. Shakti Pada Tripura says, ‘for the establishment of indigenous peoples’ rights, democracy and proper justice is required. In Bangladesh, the recognition of ethnic identity is not given properly to indigenous community in accordance with their demand. I hope we shall acquire it one day.’

Executive Member of Kapaeeng Foundation Ms. Myentthein Promila says, ‘In Bangladesh, women’s rights are being violated constantly. In the name of tourism, indigenous peoples’ lands are being grabbed everywhere in Bangladesh’. She urged chairman of NHRC to visit coastal area to see situation of indigenous Rakhiane community.

Information and Publicity Secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) Mangal Kumar Chakma presented a keynote paper. In his paper, he said Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council Act and three Hill District Council Acts, enacted as per the CHT Accord, should be included in the first part of the constitution to ensure constitutional guarantee of the Accord.

More than 300 participants including representatives from diplomatic mission in Dhaka and foreign participants from India, Pakistan and Nepal attended the seminar. The seminar was followed by an indigenous cultural programme at Mall Chattar of Dhaka University.

It is mentionable that South Asia Social Forum (SASF) 2011 Bangladesh was held on 18-22 November 2011 at Dhaka University premises with the main theme "Democracy for Social Transformation in South Asia: Participation, Equity, Justice and Peace". Dhaka University campus was vibrant for 5 days with different seminars, symposiums, workshops, fair, and cultural events organized for South Asia Social Forum (SASF), Bangladesh 2011.

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courtesy: Kapaeeng foundation

Some more pictures from the event: