Jun 06, 2011

Chittagong Hill Tracts at the UNPFII in New York


During the 10th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) representatives from indigenous groups, civil society and government agencies took the floor to discuss the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord. 

Tenth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) was held at UN headquarters in New York on 16-27 May 2011. This session was attended by following representatives from indigenous peoples and mainstream population of Bangladesh:

 

Raja Devasish Roy, member of the UNPFII and Chakma circle chief

Mr. Mangal Kuma Chakma from PCJSS

Ms. Lina Jesmin Lushai from Kapaeeng Foundation

Mr. Goutam Dewan from CHT Citizens’ Committee

Mr. Mong Sanoo Choudhury from CHT Citizens’ Committee

Mr. U Kyaw Zan from from CHT Citizens’ Committee

Mr. Binota Moy Dhamai from AIPP

Mr. Mrinal Kanti Tripura, CHT Development Facilitators Group

Mr. Aditya Dewan from International Jumma Organisation

Col. (rtd) Kirti Ranjan Chakma from International Jumma Organisation

Mr. Babul Nokrek from Madhupur

Ms. Hana Sams-Ahmen from CHT Commission

Mr. Naeem Mohaiemen  

Ms. Wasfia Nasreen from Ain O Salish Kendra

 

Besides, Ms. Elsa Stamatoupoulou from CHT Commission, Ms. Christina Nilsson from IWGIA and CHT Commission, Mr. Tom Eskildsen from Jumma Net and some Jummas living in New York city also attended the session in particular for the cause of implementation of CHT Accord.

You all are aware that at its ninth session in 2009, the Permanent Forum appointed Mr. Lars-Anders Baer, member of the Permanent Forum, as Special Rapporteur to undertake a study on the status of implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997. The Rapporteur visited Bangladesh in September 2010 where he met with various Government officials, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the State Minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. He submitted his study report to UNPFII. Accordingly a half-day session on the study on the status of implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997 was held on 25 May 2011 during the 10th session of the UNPFII.

Among others, following indigenous and human rights activists and government delegation delivered statement on the study on the status of implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997:

 

Iqbal Ahmed, First Secretary of Bangladesh Permanent Mission to United Nations

Raja Devasish Roy, member of the UNPFII and Chakma circle chief

Mangal Kuma Chakma from Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS)

Lina Jesmin Lushai from Kapaeeng Foundation and Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum

U Kyaw Zan from from CHT Citizens’ Committee, Indigenous Peoples Development Facilitators Group and Land Is Life

Wasfia Nasreen from Ain O Salish Kendra, supported by International Environment Network (IEN)

Steen Hansen, Government of Denmark

Connie Taracena, Government of Guatemala

Adrew Erueti from Amnesty International and International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

Andrea Carmen (International Indian Treaty Council) from Globan Indigenous Peoples Caucus

Niko Valkeapaa, Saami Council

Tarcila Rivera Zea from Global Indigenous Women’s Caucus  

Dalee Sambo Dorough, member of UNPFII

Celeste McKay, International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) North America

Rukka Sombolinggi from Asian Indigenous Peoples Caucus

 

Please find the statement delivered by above-mentioned persons for your kind information and necessary action.