International protest against communal attack on indigenous Jumma peoples in Rangamati by Bengali settlers in presence of security forces
Memorandum of CHT-American Jumma Peoples Association:
On 24 September 2012 the CHT-American Jumma Peoples Association sent a memorandum signed by its President Maung Thowai Nu Ching and General Secretary Debashis Chakma to heads of diplomatic missions of United States, European Commission, Australia and United Kingdom urging their valuable and kindness help on humanitarian and justifiable ground to save and protect the Indigenous People of Chittagong Hill Tracts from illegible and detrimental sufferings in order to bring peace and happiness in the CHT. The memorandum was also copied to International CHT Commission and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The CHT-American Jumma Peoples Association mentioned that it was highly concerned and disheartened followed by infuriated because of atrocities on the Indigenous Peoples of Rangamati by the Bengali guilty parties that has started recently and still continuing. It further added that such incident is not only being happened in Rangamati Hill District, it is also occurring in Khagrachari and Bandarbon Districts where our Indigenous peoples are living for centuries together from the very beginning of people inhabitancy in this region initiated by these Indigenous peoples.
Protest of Centre for Human Rights Education of Curtin University in Australia:
On 25 September 2012 Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRE) of Curtin University in Australia sent a letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Australia expressing concern about violence against indigenous peoples in the CHT. The CHRE mentioned in its letter that these acts of violence are occurring in an atmosphere of impunity. The CHRE also added that such violence in the CHT is not an isolated incident. Indigenous peoples in the CHT have been subject to systematic human rights violations by Bengali settlers, the police and the Bangladesh Army. Even though the CHT Accord was signed between the indigenous peoples and Bangladesh government in 1997 in order to address these issues, the Accord has not been implemented by the Bangladesh government, the CHRE added. The letter was signed by Associate Professor Mary Anne Kenny, Dr. Caroline Fleary, Dr. Lynda Blanchard, Dr. Lisa Hartley and Fiona McGauchey.
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| Indigenous Jumma students protest at Parliament House, Perth. Photo: Janet Naco |
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The CHRE said that the Australia government is budgeted to deliver $ 100 million in development assistance to Bangladesh in 2012-2013, the Australian government must raise these concerns with the Bangladesh government. In particular, the CHRE asked the Australian government to insist the Bnagladesh government:
- Stop this violence against indigenous peoples in the CHT.
- Commence an impartial and independent judicial inquiry and investigation into these violations.
- Cooperative with relevant United Nations human rights bodies, national and international human rights NGOs to investigate and report upon these abuses.
- Ensure exemplary punishment of the perpetrators and compensate the indigenous peoples whose rights have been violated and involve international and national ais agencies in this matter.
- Take steps to ensure that indigenous peoples are recognised in the Bangladesh Constitution.
- Take immediate measures to fully implement the CHT Accord of 1997.
Protest of Indian Confederation of Indigenous Tribal People:
On 27 September 2012 the Indian Confederation of Indigenous Tribal People (ICITP) vehemently condemned the systematic attack on the indigenous Jumma tribe in Bangladesh and urged upon the Bangladesh government to diffuse the tension immediately. Sharing the information with The Sentinel (in Assam), the President of the ICITP-North East Zone, Jebra Ram Mashahary said that the illegal settlers in tribal areas who attacked in the presence of law enforcers, is a clear indication of "communal" conflict. He demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to the instigators of the attack and the attackers, punitive action be taken against the law enforcers who directly or indirectly provoked the violence, and immediate implementation of the CHT Accord of 1997.
Speaking to the reporter of The Sentinel, Mashahary said the attack on indigenous tribal people at CHT in Bangladesh in unfortunate. What is happening in Assam and Bodoland between the indigenous Bodo and tribal people and illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, the same thing is going to happen in tribal districts of Bangladesh, he said adding that the illegal settlers are casting their eyes on the tribal land to occupy it by creating terror. Terming the attack on tribal people as calculated policy of illegal settlers, Mashahary said the government of Bangladesh should stop all belligerences on tribal people.
The President of the ICITP said the domination of the indigenous tribal people whatever it may be in Bangladesh or India should be stopped. The government must protect their land rights as well as safeguard their rights and privileges. The forum said that they have all solidarity with the people of Jumma tribe in CHT and they appeal to the world community to raise voice against the domination and injustices done on the indigenous tribal people in Bangladesh.
Protest of American Jumma Council in New York:
On 27 September 2012 the American Jumma Council organised a procession in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA protesting against communal attack on indigenous Jumma peoples by Bengali settlers in presence of security forces in Rangamati. The American Jumma Council demanded to stop Islamisation, militarisation, ethnic cleansing and massacres against indigenous Jumma peoples in CHT by the government of Bangladesh and Bangladesh military forces.
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| Peaceful protest demonstration of indigenous Jummas infront of UN, New York. photo: Dhiman Chakma |
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| Peaceful protest demonstration of indigenous Jummas infront of UN, New York. photo: Dhiman Chakma |
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| Peaceful protest demonstration of indigenous Jummas infront of UN, New York. photo: Dhiman Chakma |
JPNK Protest in South Korea:
On 2 October 2012 the Jumma Peoples Network–Korea (JPNK) staged a demonstration in front of Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul to protest against the 22–23 Rangamati attack. Conducted by Mr. Choto Chakma, General Secretary of JPNK, the programme was addressed by Zico Chakma, Samapti Chakma, Shanti Jibon Chakma and Kanon Chakma. A prominent Korean human rights activist Hotaeg Lee also addressed the gathering expressing solidarity with the just struggle of the Jumma people in CHT.
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| Press Conference and Peaceful demonstration infront of Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Photo courtesy: Kanan Chakma |
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| Press Conference and Peaceful demonstration infront of Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Photo courtesy: Kanan Chakma |
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| Handing over memorandum to High Commissioner of Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Photo courtesy: Kanan Chakma |
Speakers severely condemned the human rights abuses and sexual violence committed against the indigenous Jumma women by the Bengali Muslim settlers, and demanded immediate exemplary punishment to the culprits. They called on the government of Bangladesh to stop human rights abuses against the Jumma people in the CHT. Hotaeg Lee urged the government of Bangladesh and the international community to act to protect the rights of the indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
At the end of the programme, the Jumma participants chanted slogans condemning the government of Bangladesh for its inability to protect the human rights of the indigenous people of CHT. Later a JPNK delegation handed to Bangladesh ambassador to South Korea a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina.
To learn more about the recent Rangamati attack: chtnewsupdate.blogspot.com/2012/09/bengali-settlers-attack-on-indigenous.html
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courtesy: Kapeeng Foundation.
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