[Reader-list] Jumma Net Campaign for Bangladesh CHT Accord

[Naeem Mohaiemen]

Jumma Net has launched a global campaign to collect signatures for
full implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord. Please publicize
widely.

Signature Campaign:
http://cht-global-voices.com/

CHT Articles (from UV)
http://unheardvoice.net/blog/category/human-rights/cht/

Background:
Approximately 600,000 indigenous Jumma peoples of Mongoloid descent
live in the mountainous regions of south-eastern Bangladesh.
Successive Bangladeshi governments have implemented policies that deny
indigenous peoples’ rights and illegally deprive them of their lands.
>From the 1970's, the militarization of the CHT resulted in massive
human rights violations, including numerous massacres. In 1997, the
“CHT Peace Accord” was signed by indigenous leaders and the Bangladesh
government to international acclaim.

The peace accord provides for the most basic measures to protect
indigenous peoples’ rights, such as safe repatriation of indigenous
refugees, regional autonomy for the indigenous peoples, withdrawal of
military camps, and return of illegally occupied lands. But subsequent
governments did little to implement the accord. Meanwhile, illegal
land grabbing and severe human rights abuses have continued. The Awami
League government that came to power in January 2009 has promised to
fully implement the accord, and has taken positive steps in this
direction. This signature campaign will show that the international
community supports the government’s efforts to fully implement the
Accord and is keeping close watch of progress.

Jumma Net was established in March 2002 by volunteers and groups
wishing to promote conflict resolution and peace in the Chittagong
Hill Tracts, Bangladesh. It aims to ensure that the marginalized
indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts can live in peace,
with their basic human rights protected and with opportunities to
benefit from economic development.