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.