UNPO concerned over Land Invasion in CHT
10-04-2006


The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is deeply concerned about the intrusion of illegal plain settlers to the lands of indigenous communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. On 6 April 2006, in light of recent events, UNPO issued appeals to the Government of Bangladesh including Prime Minister Mrs. Khaleda Zia, Deputy Minister Mr. Mani Swapan Dewan and State Minister Mr. Md. Lutfozzaman Babor as well as to Ambassador H.E. Dr. Chowdhury, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in the UN and H.E. Ms. Ismat Jahan, Bangladesh Ambassador in The Hague.
Background:
On the morning of 3 April 2006, tribal villages of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh were attacked by the illegal plain settlers and the Bangladesh security forces, according to a report of the Asian Centre for Human Rights. Dozens of tribal villagers were reported to have been injured and sent to hospital, including Tuku Mani Chakma, Junal Marma, Sa Prue Marma, Thuimra Ching Marma, Myasu Marma, Afing Krai Marma. In addition, Thuimraching Marma (16) and Afing Krai Marma (20), were said to be raped by Bengali settlers at Sa Prue Karbari in Mahalchari, Khagrachari on the same day.
Whereas the Chittagong Hill Tracts is the homeland of indigenous Jumma people, they are constantly facing threats from illegal settlers to occupy their land. Bangladesh authorities have not been effective in protecting the rights of Jumma people to live in their homeland, but allowed its security forces to assist the occupation of illegal settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The 3 April attack on innocent Jumma villagers is another incident of gross human rights violations in the region.
UNPO has called upon the Government of Bangladesh to take the necessary steps to bring into justice those responsible for the attack on 3 April and to put an end to the human rights violations against the indigenous Jumma people in Chittagong Hill Tracts.