Human rights should get more attention: EU ambassador urges govt

Following is the report from Bangladeshi daily, 'The Daily Star, Monday, July 23, 2012'

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=243203

Human rights should get more attention

EU ambassador urges govt

Staff Correspondent

The government needs to pay more attention to human rights of people in every community as human rights violation amounts to the violation of democracy.

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna said this at a seminar in the capital yesterday, also urging the state to protect the rights of indigenous people.

The seminar titled “Indigenous Peoples in the Plain Land: Challenges and Prospects” was jointly organised by Indigenous Peoples Development Services and Oxfam GB.

Addressing as the chief guest, Hanna said the EU will continue discussions with the government and other stakeholders on human rights protection.

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman, also present on the occasion as special guest, said a country cannot be called democracy if rights of its indigenous people are not ensured equally with other citizens.

He said the land ministry should establish a separate land commission for dealing with the disputes over the indigenous people's properties.

Expressing annoyance at policies of bureaucratic institutions involved with the indigenous issues, the NHRC boss said government officials need to be acquainted with the communities so that they can realise what their responsibilities are.

ILO Country Director Andre Bogui urged the government to take steps for protection of the socio-cultural rights of indigenous communities.

Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong said many indigenous families, especially those living in the plain land, have been evicted from their ancestral homesteads by locally influential land grabbers.

He placed some recommendations including their constitutional recognition as Adivasi, formation of a land commission to protect their land rights and measures for their educational facilities and economic development.

The seminar held at Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh was also addressed by Gareth Price Jones, country director of Oxfam GB, with Dhaka University Prof Dalem Ch Barman in the chair.

Rights groups demand for constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples and implementation of CHT Accord reasserted

Rights groups demand for constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples and implementation of CHT Accord reasserted

 

 

On 16 July 2012 rights groups from a number of rights organisations staged a procession and protest song performances, pressing for their four-point demand for protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in the country. The demands include constitution recognition of indigenous peoples, implementation of the CHT Accord, formation of separate Land Commission for indigenous peoples of plain land and putting an end to the recent alarming repression on indigenous peoples.

Presided over by general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Sanjeeb Drong, the procession held at Swoparjita Swadhinata on the Dhaka University campus was conducted by Robaet Ferdous, assistant profession of Dhaka University. Dilara Rekha of BNPS read out a declaration of the citizen groups while Dipayon Khisa delivered welcome address.

Workers Party of Bangladesh president and lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon urged the government to withdraw government circular against celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on due on August 9. He said that longstanding demand for constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples was ignored in the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. Rather, the government through this amendment has created new debate over the identity of indigenous peoples instead of solving their problem, he said. He reiterated that parliamentary caucus on indigenous peoples would continue its programme for constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples. The government broke its election commitment to the indigenous peoples, he alleged.

Gono Oikya Committee convener Pankaj Bhattacharya said that indigenous peoples are still being oppressed because they are not recognised in the constitution and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord is yet to be implemented. He urged all the progressive forces and indigenous communities to continue strengthening their movement to protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

Mangal Kumar Chakma, information and publicity secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati (PCJSS), urged the government to take visible measures for implementation of the CHT Accord and to form a separate land commission for the plain land indigenous peoples to return their dispossessed lands. He alleged that during the period of present government, repression on indigenous peoples including indigenous women and children has alarmingly increased.

Mesbah Kamal, profession of Dhaka University and general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon (Bangladesh Indigenous Rights Movement), alleged that though ruling Awami League claims being non-communal, but their attitude towards indigenous peoples is entirely communal. He urged indigenous peoples and those citizen groups supporting their cause should prepare themselves for launching a tough movement to push their demands home.

Workers Party of Bangladesh politburo member and lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said contradictory provisions of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act should be amended and a separate Land Commission for plain land indigenous peoples should be formed to resist eviction of indigenous peoples from their ancestral land.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (Bangladesh Women Council) orgnising secretary Rakhi Purkayastha said that repression against indigenous women is alarmingly going on in CHT and plain land. She demanded to include a separate chapter in the national women development policy for indigenous women with an aim to empower them.

Communist Party of Bangladesh presidium member Haider Akbar Khan Rono pointed out that the nation needed an alternative left progressive movement to take the cause way forward.

Besides, BASAD central committee member Jahidul Haque Milu, president of Jana Udyog professor H K S Arefin, IED executive director Numan Ahmed Khan et al spoke in the programme.

Sammilito Samajik Andolon, Ain O Salish Kendra, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Oxfam Bangladesh, ActionAid, Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad, Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Kapaeng Foundation, Nari Pokkho, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Brotee, ALRD, IED, Jana Udyog, BNPS, Ubinig, CCDB, Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, Jatiya Adivasi Juba Parishad etc. expressed solidarity with the programme.

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courtesy: 

Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh

 

 

Protection of land is fundamentally important for the realization of indigenous peoples’ right to culture, says Kapaeeng representative at EMRIP

Protection of land is fundamentally important for the realization of indigenous peoples’ right to culture, says Kapaeeng representative at EMRIP

A keystone of poor conditions for indigenous peoples in Bangladesh is the continuing depletion of their natural resources, mainly through the expropriation of their lands. The protection of indigenous peoples’ land and their resources is fundamentally important for the realization of indigenous peoples’ right to culture.

This opinion was raised by assistant secretary of Kapaeeng Foundation who attended the 5th session of the EMRIP held from 9 July to 13 July 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.

She also said that in Bangladesh, the customary land right of the indigenous people is frequently violated. In the name of conservation of forest, the right of the indigenous peoples to extract resources from forest, in accordance with customary law, is restricted and limited. Indigenous Jumma peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are being restricted to continue Jum cultivation. Due to the non implementation of that CHT Accord, dispute over land in the CHT is still unresolved and the Bengali settlements remain continued over the indigenous peoples land.

Ms. Lushai also added that both language and culture of indigenous peoples are interdependent pillars on which the identity of a people is maintained. In the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh passed in the parliament on 30 June 2011, the government ignored the demand of indigenous peoples for recognition of their fundamental rights including recognition as indigenous peoples. However, the government recognised the culture of indigenous peoples in the fifteenth amendment stating that “the State shall take steps to protect and develop the unique local culture and tradition of the tribes, minor races, ethnic sects and communities”. It is mentionable that the terminologies of “tribes, minor races, ethnic sects and communities” are not accepted by the indigenous peoples.

She requested the EMRIP to provide indigenous peoples with specific guidelines that would allow indigenous peoples to resolve these tensions that exist between development processes and the cultural and linguistic rights of indigenous peoples.

Fifth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples took place in Geneva at the United Nations Palais des Nations 0n 9-13 July 2012. The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) was established by the Human Rights Council, the UN’s main human rights body, in 2007 under Resolution 6/36 as a subsidiary body of the Council.

Following is the full statement of Ms. Lina Lushai:

Lina-Statement on Item 5_ (Final)

 

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source:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)

Wildlife Act passed in the parliament, indigenous leaders spark into reaction

Wildlife Act passed in the parliament, indigenous leaders spark into reaction

On 8 July 2012 the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) adopted the Wildlife (Protection and Safety) Act 2012 without having consultations with and opinions of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and indigenous peoples of the country. Indigenous leaders, environmentalists and rights bodies expressed deep concern over some provisions of the Act.

During the adoption of the Wildlife (Protection and Safety) Act 2012 bill in the parliament on 8 July, Environment and Forest Minister Hasan Mahmud said that the government consulted with indigenous leaders during the formulation of the Act. However, indigenous leaders alleged that the government did not organise any effective consultation with indigenous peoples of the country.

Convenor of the CHT Forest and Land Rights Protection Movement Goutam Dewan said that earlier the government held a meeting with few indigenous leaders including him in Dhaka. But at that meeting, they opined that they were not representing all indigenous peoples, hence they urged government to organse a wide-range consultation with indigenous peoples including representatives of CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) and rights bodies working for environment. But the government did not hear their recommendations, he alleged.

Chakma Raja Barrister Devasish Roy said the government enacted the Wildlife Act without going through related laws in other countries and this would cause the people of the forest regions to lose their rights (The Daily Star, Monday, July 9, 2012).

The newly adopted Wildlife Act would affect the rights of people dependent on forests including indigenous peoples. The Act did not ensure the forest people's rights regarding occupations, traditions and livelihoods.

Ushtan Talukdar, member of the CHTRC said that the government did not seek opinions and suggestions from the CHTRC before the Wildlife Act was placed in the parliament. It is mentionable that Section 53 of the CHT Regional Council Act 1998 stipulates that the Government if it initiates to make any law concerning the CHTRC or the CHT shall take necessary measures for making the law in consultation with the CHTRC and the concerned Hill District Council and after by considering the advice of the Council. However, the government did not send the draft bill to the CHTRC.

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman urged stakeholders concerned of the country's forests to submit their objections on the Wildlife (Preservation) Act, 2012 to the commission. “I myself will forward the objections, alongside the commission's recommendations on removing the inconsistencies, to the speaker, standing committee on forest and even to the prime minister,” he said (The Daily Star, Monday, July 9, 2012).

Please visit following links for detailed media reports:

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=241534

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-07-10/news/272300

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=241358

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-07-09/news/272119

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courtesy:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)

PCJSS representative urges the EMRIP to encourage the States to implement treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements

PCJSS representative urges the EMRIP to encourage the States to implement treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements

Mr. Bidhayak Chakma, assistant secretary for youth affairs of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati (PCJSS), urged the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) to encourage the states concerned, including Bangladesh, to implement treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements, beside other arrangement to ensure rights relating to language and culture of the indigenous peoples.

Mr. Chakma, on behalf of the PCJSS, raised this issue during his intervention on Agenda Item-5: the Role of Language and Culture in the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Identity of Indigenous Peoples at the 5th session of the EMRIP on 11 July 2012. The fifth session of the EMRIP is taking place in Geneva at the United Nations Palais des Nations from 9 July 2012 till 13 July 2012.

In his statement, Bidhayak Chakma welcomed the decision of the Human Rights Council to request the EMRIP to carry out study on the role of language and culture in the promotion and protection of the rights and identity of indigenous peoples. He also added that in Bangladesh there is no arrangement to protect and promote languages and cultures of the indigenous peoples of the country. In the contrary, alarming cultural aggression by the mainstream populations over indigenous cultures continues to happen in different forms, for instance, distortion or renaming the original name of local places by the government machineries.

He also alleged that the government of Bangladesh even does not recognize any existence of indigenous people of the country. Very recently, the government has issued an official order to the government and public representatives, not to attend any programmes on observation of the International Day for the World’s Indigenous Peoples, as the Day ‘9 August’ is approaching.

He also said that some specific rights relating to language and cultures of the indigenous people of the CHT are guaranteed by the CHT Accord signed in 1997 between government of Bangladesh and PCJSS. But it is irony that the CHT Accord has not been implemented, even after some nearly fifteen years of signing the Accord.  In relation to the indigenous people of the CHT, implementation of the CHT Accord is urgent and imperative to ensure their rights relating to language and culture, and other inseparable rights.

Following is the full statement of Mr. Bidhayak Chakma:

Bidhayak-Statement- Agenda Item -5, EMRIP 2012

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source:
PCJSS
(Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)

Indigenous peoples compelled to leave the village, following forcible land grabbing in Lama

Indigenous peoples compelled to leave the village, following forcible land grabbing in Lama

13 poor families of indigenous Mro community from Amtali Para village of Fasiakhali union under Lama upazila in Bandarban district have been forced to evacuate the village due to the alleged persecution of the land-grabbers. Few non-government organizations were working for the advancement of their situation of the indigenous peoples—whose endeavor eventually became of no use due to this incident.

It was learned that local non-government organization ‘Ekota’ and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) had allocated four hundred thousand taka for the development of the livelihoods of the indigenous Mro villagers of this area. With the auspices of the UNDP’s ‘Quick Impact Fund’ project, Taka 399,900 had been allocated for cattle farming and food conservation in order to develop the socio-economic condition of the indigenous villagers. Of this overall amount, Taka 216,600 has been spent—and no instruction has been given for the use of the rest Taka 186,300 so far by the organizations.

The probe report submitted by ‘Ekota’ to the UNDP showing the reason behind such abandonment states that the indigenous villagers of Amtali Para used to cultivate Jum (shifting cultivation)—when their that land was grabbed by the land grabbers, they had to vacate the land. The report also stated that an Islamic organization, namely Muhammadia Jamia Sharif (widely known as Laden Group in the area) from Dhaka is involved with this land grabbing.

Recognizing the fact of the abandonment of the indigenous peoples, Mohammad Ismail, the chairman of Lama upazila said that “many institutions from the outside, including Muhammadia Jamia Sharif are grabbing lands illegally in the area. For this reason, the indigenous villagers of Amtali Para left the area. And many permanent Bengali residents and indigenous villagers are passing their days with eviction-anxiety.”

Besides, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) said that he heard about the incident of the eviction of the indigenous peoples. However nobody officially complained to him. Furthermore, the assistant superintendent of police of Lama Amzad Hossain said, “when I went to investigate in the Amtali Para village, I did not see any people in the village. Muhammadia Jamia Sharif and some other institutions are involved with land grabbing.”

However, the head of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar region Muhammadia Jamia Sharif Anisul Islam said that “the information that the inhabitants of Amtali Para left the village due to land grabbing is not true. There are some terrorist groups in the area. The indigenous peoples had to move to the Naikhyongchari area due to their persecution.” Claiming that he is still in touch with those Mros, adding “Mro people still want to come back—if the security is ensured they will all come back.”

Notably, on last 8 May, the deputy commissioner of the Bandarban gave direction to the UNOs of Lama and Naikhyongchari upazilas to take nearly one thousand acres of illegally occupied lands by Muhammadia Jamia Sharif which are basically Jum land under the collective ownership of indigenous peoples. Local sources confirmed that UNOs were giving letters to the headmen of the area to take the land under government control.

This report is prepared as per news published on daily Prothom Alo (Bangla) on 8 July 2012. Please visit following for the news of the Prothom Alo-

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-07-08/news/271769

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Bengali settlers commit robbery on Jummas in lake area in Longadu, 3 Jummas wounded

On 9 July a robbery was committed by Bengali settlers on indigenous peoples at lake area in Longadu upazila of Rangamati district. In this robbery, 11 indigenous Jummas were looted and 3 Jummas were injured. The injured Jummas were admitted at Longadu upazila hospital.

It is learnt that 11 indigenous Jummas were coming to Rangamati headquarters from Baghaichari upazila to sell their agro-products by a country-boat. A group of robbers belong to Bengali settlers numbering 10-12 persons by a trawler halted the Jummas when they reached at lake area of Kolatila-Swarnatila area 6-7 miles away to the south-east from Longadu headquarters under Longadu upazila in Rangamati district 2012 at around 8:00 am. The Bengali settlers first attacked the Jumma villagers with sharp weapons. 3 Jummas were seriously injured when they tried to oppose the attack of robbers. The robbers snatched 11 mobile sets, ornaments, cash money and clothes worth around 200,000 taka. Siin after looting, the robbers rapidly left the place towards Basonya Adam area.

The injured Jummas were identified as-

(1)     Mr. Utpal Kanti Chakma (37) son of Narendra Chakma, village- Chintaram Chara, Sarwatali union, Baghaichari upazila; he was cut in the back of head.

(2)     Mr. Dronacharjo Chakma (45) son of late Sumati Ranjan Chakma, village- Galachipa, Chijak area, Baghaichari; he was hurt in left hand.

(3)     Mr. Riken Chakma (28) son of Mr. Surjo Kumar Chakma, village- Sijakmukh area, Baghaichari upazila. he was hurt in the upper right arm.

Other victims who became under looting and beating were identified as:

(1)      Ms. Kokila Chakma (22) wife of Riken Chakma, village- Sijakmukh area, Baghaichari upazila;

(2)      Mr. Sadhan Kumar Chakma (37) son of late Sindhumoni Chakma, village- Galachipa, Baghaichari upazila;

(3)      Mr. Binoy Chakma (60) son of late Shashi Mohan Chakma, village- Galachipa, Baghaichari upazila;

(4)      Mr. Likhon Chakma (23) son of Ananda Kumar Chakma, village- Chintaram Chara, Baghaichari upazila;

(5)      Mr. Annapurna Chakma (45) son of Shuvadev Chakma, village- South Sijak, Baghaichari upazila;

(6)      Mr. Upendra Chakma (65) son of late Chandra Kumar Chakma, village- Sijakmukh, Baghaichari upazila;

(7)      Mr. Promesh Chakma (32) son of late Surendra Chakma, village- Sijakmukh, Baghaichari upazila;

(8)      Mr. Robindra Kanti Chakma (28) son of Hengotya Chakma, village- Chintaram Chara, Bagaichari upazila;

(9)      Mr. Razzak Chakma (26) son of late Faksa Chakma, village- Golachiba area, Baghaichari upazila;

(10)  Mr. Jhantu Chakma (31) son of Dayamoy Chakma, village- Sijakmukh, Baghaichari upazila.

Till preparing the report (July 10), no one was arrested by the police.

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Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)

An indigenous Jumma woman killed allegedly by Bengali settlers in Rangamati

 An indigenous Jumma woman killed allegedly by Bengali settlers in Rangamati

Dead body of Bolimila Chakma. Photo: Himel Chakma

 On 7 July 2012 just afternoon, a 45-year old indigenous Jumma woman was chopped to kill allegedly by Bengali settlers in Uluchara area under Rangamati municipality in Rangamati district. It is suspected that the victim might be killed after rape. The victim was identified as Ms. Bolimila Chakma w/o Durgamoni Chakma from Suguripadachara village of Bhushanchara union under Barkal upazila of Rangamati district.

Deadbody of boromila chakma. This picture was taken by a mobile-phone.

It is learnt that Bolimila Chakma has come from Suguripadachara village of Barkal upazila to her uncle Rajani Chakma’s (Sara Bap) house at Uluchara vilage of Rangamati town for her treatment. On 7 July around 2.00 pm Bolimila Chakma went to a nearby stream around 400 feet away from her uncle’s house for taking a bath. As she did not return to house even after 2/3 hours, the relatives of victim went out for searching her. At a stage, at around 5:00 pm her relatives found the dead body of Bolimila Chakma in completely naked nearby the stream with deep cut on the neck and hands. The ear-ring and the necklace made of gold of the victim were also looted.

The dead body was taken to Rangamati General Hospital. Till preparing the report, it is learnt that the post-mortem of the dead body will be done 8 July. Husband of the victim is supposed to come to Rangamati from Barkal by 8 July 2012.

It is worth mentioning that murder, rape and violence against indigenous women and children in various parts of the country have been increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. At least 19 incidents on violence against indigenous women from January 2012 to June 2012 have been documented. Of them, 2 indigenous girls whose aged 7 and 11 years were brutally killed after rape while 10 indigenous women were raped. Besides, 2 indigenous girls were abducted.

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source:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)
Shalma Garden, House # 23/25, Road # 4, Block # B, PC Culture

Probe attack on Chakma Palli in Teknaf, demand educationalists, politicians and indigenous leaders

The following news was published on Bangladeshi daily, the daily star:

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=238884

The Daily Star, Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Probe attack on Chakma Palli

Demand educationalists, politicians and indigenous leaders

Staff Correspondent 

Educationalists, politicians and indigenous community leaders organised a rally yesterday demanding proper investigation of a recent attack on indigenous people at Hoako Chakma Palli under Teknaf in Cox's Bazar.

They also demanded withdrawal of the “false case” filed against the Palli's residents, immediate release of the arrested residents and withdrawal of the “controversial” policemen from Hoako Police Outpost to restore the confidence of the residents on law enforcers.

The rally was held at the base of Shoparjito Swadhinata at Dhaka University with Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong in the chair.

The speakers said one, Abdul Haque, and his henchmen, assisted by law enforcers, attacked the Palli in Sukna Amtali village on May 29 and 30, assaulted two indigenous teenage girls and looted some three houses over a land dispute.

A delegation comprising political leaders, teachers, journalists and human rights workers visited the spot on June 7 and placed a five-point recommendation, including arrest of the perpetrators and compensation to the victims, they said.

Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity Organising Secretary Saktipada Tripura said the frequency of incidents of repression against the indigenous community has been alarmingly growing.

Veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya, who led the delegation, Dhaka University teachers Prof Mesbah Kamal, Prof HKS Arefin, Robaet Ferdous and Shantanu Majumder, Institute for Environment and Development Executive Director Numan Ahmed Khan and Wasir Rahman Tonmoy of Manusher Jonno Foundation also spoke at the rally.

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Following is the news from "New Age":

http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-06-19&nid=14275

New Age, 19 June 2012

Safety, equal right for minorities demanded

DU Correspondent

Teachers, politicians and rights activists at a demonstration on Monday urged people to compel the government to ensure safety and equal rights for the minorities.
They held prime minister Sheikh Hasina and foreign minister Dipu Moni responsible for continuous repressions on the country’s minorities due to their ‘callousness’ in taking punitive action against the tormentors of the minorities.

They staged the demonstration at the Swarak Dwip of TSC at Dhaka University, protesting a recent attack on a minority Chakma by a group of ‘land grabbers’ in collaboration with law enforcers in Teknaf upazilla under Cox’s Bazar.

They allegedly vandalised their houses, looted valuables, beat people—both male and female—and even raped a teenager, DU political science teacher Shantanu Majumder, said while addressing the rally.

The rights activists also raised questions about the sincerity of the home ministry to monitor the such repressive attacks both on minorities and journalists.
Gono Oikkya committee convener Pankaj Bhattacharya asked the government to ensure ‘exemplary’ punishment of the perpetrators of the incidents and the law enforcers involved with it.

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity organising secretary Shaktipada Tripura called upon people to raise their voice against such repressive incidents.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum general secretary Sanjeeb Drong presided over the rally, also addressed, among others, by DU anthropology professor SKS Arefin, mass communication and journalism teacher Rubayet Ferdous, Institute for Environment and Development executive director Noman Ahmed Khan and Manusher Jonno Foundation programme manager Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy.

Women rights groups demand judicial inquiry to the violence against indigenous women including killing, rape and abduction

Women rights groups demand judicial inquiry to the violence against indigenous women including killing, rape and abduction 

Women rights groups demanded judicial inquiry to the alarming violence against indigenous women including killing, rape and abduction across the country and immediate action against such incidents.

This demand was rasied in a joint press conference organised by Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha and Karmajibi Nari in facilitation of Kapaeeng Foundation on 16 June 2012 at 11.00 am at Reporters’ Unity in Dhaka.

The press conference was attended by Rokeya Rofique Beby of Karmajibi Nari, Humaira Khatun of Bangladesh Mahil Parishad, Shahnaz Sumi of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, Minu Mrong and Nishi Dewan of Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network, Lina Jesmine Lushai of Kapaeeng Foundation and Chanchana Chakma of Hill Women’s Federation. Convenor of Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network Minu Mrong read out the written statement on recent violence against indigenous women.

In the written statement, women rights group said that murder, rape and violence against indigenous women and children in various parts of the country have been increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). They said that at least 19 incidents on violence against indigenous women in 2012 have been documented. Of them, 2 indigenous girls whose aged 7 and 11 years were brutally killed after rape while 10 indigenous women were raped. Besides, 2 indigenous girls were abducted. Of them, 19 incidents were committed by Bengali miscreants and 1incident by an indigenous man in plain land.

Rights organisations said that the figure only includes the reported incidents of rape, murder and abduction, adding that the actual number of such incidents of violence against indigenous women is much more. Several incidents have not come in public due to further harassment from influential group, local administration and law-enforcing forces or family and social barriers in the society. Even, many victims and families have been too afraid to file a case in fear.

Violence incidents against indigenous women were committed by the Bengali miscreants with the intension to occupy land of indigenous peoples. In case of CHT, the incidents continue due to the non-implementation of the CHT Accord. Hence indigenous women in plain and CHT are passing their life with fears and insecurity.

In response to the questions of the journalist, executive director of Karmajibi Nari Rakeya Rofique Baby said that the biggest concern in rape and other violence against indigenous women is the lack of access to justice and absolute impunity that perpetrators enjoy. The State failed to provide security of all women of the country, she added.

Deputy director of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha Shahnaz Sumi said that local influential and land grabbers remained involved in rape, murder or support the accused, which prevented justice. She said no example of punishment against such violence, the impunity enjoyed so far, was the main reason which emboldened the miscreants to commit such abhorrent crimes across the country.

Member-secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network Nishi Dewan said justice for abduction of Kalpana Chakma is yet to be achieved. Due to fail to bring culprit into the justice, violence against indigenous women is continuing. She said they protested almost every incident and submit memorandum to the prime minister, demanding trial but did not get proper responses. Implementation of the CHT Accord of 1997 could lessen the violence against indigenous women in the CHT.

In the press conference, the women's rights organisations put following demands to the government of Bangladesh:

(1)   To form a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the recent incidents of repression indigenous women including killing after rape of 7 year old Sagari Oraon and 11 year old grade IV girl Sujata Chakma;

(2)   To provide adequate compensation to affected and victimised indigenous women and their families;

(3)   To probe all human rights violation on indigenous women by the National Human Rights Commission;

(4)   To recognise collective and individual land rights of indigenous peoples in accordance with international standards and customs and usages of indigenous peoples;

(5)   To issue special instruction to the law-enforcing agencies to provide security of indigenous women;

(6)   To declare roadmap with timeframe for proper and speedy implementation of CHT Accord.

For media news, please visit following links:

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=238609

http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-06-17&nid=14052

http://www.daily-sun.com/details_Conduct-judicial-inquiry-to-prevent-ethnic-cleansing_177_1_10_1_5.html

http://www.theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/metropolitan/dhaka/115887-punishment-for-perpetrators-of-violence-against-indigenous-women-demanded.html

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-06-17/news/266315

http://www.bangladeshnews24.com/ittefaq/2012/06/17/53073.htm

http://www.jjdin.com/?view=details&type=single&pub_no=160&cat_id=1&menu_id=38&news_type_id=1&index=6

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source:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)