Full implementation of CHT accord demanded

Source: The Daily Star

Speakers at a discussion yesterday underscored need for full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord to ensure rights of the vulnerable segment of people, especially women.

It becomes very tough for a woman to cope with the adversities in society where she often becomes a victim of repression, deprivation and oppression, they added.

The speakers further said that indigenous women are facing the denial of their basic human rights from the mainstream society years after years.

The discussion on 'Implementation of CHT Peace Accord and Rights of Adivasi Jumma Women' was organised by Hill Women's Federation in association with ActionAid Bangladesh at Natmandal auditorium on the Dhaka University campus.

Presenting a keynote paper, Chanchana Chakma, organising secretary of the federation, described the position of indigenous women in the country, especially the Jumma women.

She also placed a set of recommendations to protect the rights of Jumma women.

The recommendations include immediate implementation of the peace accord along with the implementation of ILO-107 Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Community, constitutional recognition to the ethnic community and ratification of ILO-169 Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Community.

Parliament and local government parishad should introduce reserved seats for indigenous women ensuring their political participation and to ensure security of women to reduce violation against them.

National women development policy should include an individual section on the rights and development of indigenous women, the recommendation added.

Ayesha Khanam, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, expressed her solidarity with the demands of the Jumma women.

She said every individual indigenous group should share a common platform to reach their voices to the policy makers.

Mangal Kumar Chakma, information and publicity secretary of Jana Sanghati Samity, urged the government to withdraw all temporary military camps from the CHT area to give the hilly people scope for living peacefully.

Rokeya Kabir, director of Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha, Jarita Chakma, general secretary of Chittagong Hill Tracts Mahila Samity, and Rakhee Mrong, organising secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, also spoke at the discussion with Meyoching Chakma in the chair.