Implement HR obligations

Human Rights ambassadors urge govt

Source: The Daily Star News

Human Rights Ambassadors Arjan Hamburger of the Netherlands, Günter Nooke of Germany and Arnold de Fine Skibsted of Denmark urged the Bangladesh authorities to further implement their international and domestic obligations in the field of human rights.

The Ambassador who visited Bangladesh from October 11 to 15 appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her clear commitment to zero tolerance policy with respect to human rights violations.

The EU Ambassadors visited Bangladesh to receive firsthand information on the developments of human rights in its broadest sense in the country, taking into account the return to democracy after the free and fair elections in December 2008.

A release of the Dutch Embassy here yesterday said the Ambassadors had frank and cordial meetings with the prime minister and a number of other ministers, representatives of the opposition, Election Commissioners, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Director Generals of BDR and Rab, Additional IGP as well as a good number of Civil Society Organisations.

On Tuesday, the Ambassadors visited the Rohingya refugee camp at Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar and discussed refugee related issues with local authorities and NGO's. The delegation was extensively briefed by the UNHCR on their interventions benefiting the refugee population.

The delegation was briefed on the progress made on the implementation of the CHT Peace Accord by relevant authorities and the CHT Commission. The Human Rights Ambassadors were encouraged by government's commitments to a zero-tolerance stance on extra judicial killings, torture and custodial death.

They welcomed commitment to the implementation by relevant authorities of the recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council early 2009.

The Human Rights Ambassadors also discussed socio and economic human rights while acknowledging the development challenges of Bangladesh.

The need to strengthen independent institutions whose mandate is to further the respect for human rights such as the National Human Rights Commission, Right to Information Commission and the Anti Corruption Commission was mentioned as well as expanding assistance to Bangladesh in this domain.

The delegation had extensive discussions on issues relating to the advancement of women in Bangladesh society and the affirmative action needed to curb violence against women.

The Ambassadors thanked the prime minister and all other interlocutors for the open and frank discussions that had enhanced their knowledge.

Bangladesh: Indigenous minority "Tripura" school going girl abused by settler Bengali in Matiranga

Submitted by Kapaeeng Foundation

On 15 October 2009 at 11.00 am, a school going girl named Jasho Bala Tripura (17), d/o Dugal Tripura of village Arbari of Bailyachari area under Guimara union of Matiranga upazila (sub-district) in Khagrachari was molested by a Bengali settler Md. Hossen s/o Jasmat Ali of village Rasulpur under Matiranga in Khagrachari district while she was going to school. She is a Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C) candidate from Matiranga Pilot High School. It is also learnt that, settlers leader whipped the culprit Md. Hossen and beg apology to Jumma leaders including Guimara Union Parishad councilor Renu Bala Tripura.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Guimara Thana, Sub-Inspector Mr. Badiuzzaman visited the spot afternoon but nobody has come to complain him.Due to governments sponsored settler’s rehabilitation in CHT region Indigenous Jumma women were not secured in their own territory. Sociological and cultural disparity occurs; women were more vulnerable, molested, raped and killed everywhere nowadays even after signing the CHT Accord.Reported by LARA.

Bangladesh: Meeting of the Task Force held in Khagrachari, CHT

Submitted by PCJSS

On 5 October 2009 meeting of the Task Force on Rehabilitation of Returnee Jumma Refugees and Internally Displace Persons was held at Khagrachari circuit house.Presided over by Chairman of Task Force Mr. Jatindra Lal Tripura, MP from Khagrachari constituency, the meeting was attended by following members of the Task Force-

1. Mr. Ruithy Karbari, Chairman of Khagrachari Hill District Council
2. Mr. Aung Prue Mro, Representative of the Chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council
3. Mr. Brishaketu Chakma, Representative of the Chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council
4. Mr. Santoshita Chakma Bakul, Representative of Jumma returnee refugees
5. Major Lokman, Representative of GOC of 24th Infantry Division, Chittagong Cantonment
6. Mr. N A N Siddique, Member-Secretary of Task Force and Commissioner of Chittagong division
7. Mr. S M Shafi, Member of Task Force and Representative of Bengali community.

Due to unavoidable reason, representative of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) was absent. No representative from CHT Affairs Ministry attended the meeting. Concerned government officials including Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district and ADC of Rangamati and Bandarban district were also present in the meeting.This meeting was an initial meeting of the newly reconstituted Task Force. There was no specific agenda item of the meeting for discussion. However, the agenda items of next meeting of the Task Force were decided. The agenda items were (1) to determine the process of identification and inclusion of actual internal displaced families; (2) 20-points package facilities; (3) holding of Task Force monthly meeting; (4) field level visit and staffing and funding of the Task Force.As per decision to hold meeting of Task Force monthly, the next meeting is scheduled to hold in the month of November 2009.