http://www.prothom-alo.net/newhtmlnews1/category.php?CategoryID=5&Date= 2004-05-22> &Date=2004-05-22
Prothom-alo, Dhaka, 22nd May 2004.
By- Sanjib Drong, New York
The representatives of the indigenous people participated in
the third session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous People said
that, it is possible to establish the human rights of the indigenous
people through the path of self-determination. This year, paying utmost
importance on the human rights conditions of the indigenous people two
full working days have been spent in discussion on the same topic.
On behalf of the indigenous peoples' delegates from Bangladesh, Mr.
Mrinal Kanti Tripura made his speech on human rights conditions of the
indigenous people of his country. He said, the indigenous people of
Bangladesh are deprived of their fundamental human rights for a long
time. They even do not have their constitutional recognition. Even after
signing the "Peace Accord", the indigenous people of CHT are made
victims of drastic militarization. There still exist 450 military camps
in CHT. He proposed that the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous People
should play a constructive role in implementing the CHT Peace accord as
well as cancellation of the proposed "Eco-park" in Madupur and Khasia
areas.
Narrating the recent events of Mahalchari, Longudu and Logang etc Ven.
Prajnanlankar Bhikkhu, a member of Peace Campaign group said that the
indigenous people are the subjects of human rights violation through out
the world. He proposed that the UN special reporter on indigenous people
should be allowed to visit CHT to investigate the incidents of human
rights violation in that region.
Joan Carling also made his speech on behalf of the Asian Indigenous
Caucus. Other indigenous representatives from different parts of the
world also demanded establishment of their total community rights on
land, forest, seas, natural resources and the holy places of their
regions. Along with the main program, the World Bank, UNDP and other
similar institutions also organize parallel programs of their own. The
government of Australia has also organized a colorful cultural function
on this occasion.