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print versionCHT Commission (http://chtcommission.org/)
Bangladesh Secretariat
10/11 Iqbal Road
Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207
22 February 2010
To
Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh
Prime Minister’s Office
Tejgaon, Dhaka
Subject: Urgent demand for investigation into arson attack and alleged killings in Sajek
The CHT Commission (CHTC) is appalled to receive reports of the arson attacks carried out on over 200 Pahari homes in the Baghaihat area of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district from the night of 19 February 2010, in the following villages and their adjoining areas — Gangaram Mukh, Guchchhagram, Hazachhara, Jaralchhari, Dane Baipachhara, Bame Baipachhara, Simanachhara, Chhurung Nala and Gulakmachhara, and the subsequent confirmed killings of 2 persons, reportedly in firing.
The CHT Commission is very deeply disturbed at allegations of the involvement of the army in the killings of at least two Pahari villagers in ‘brushfire’. The Commission has also received reports that the Banani Bana Bihar, a Buddhist temple of the locality, has been looted.
The CHT Commission notes with concern that certain political quarters are claiming that this outbreak of violence is primarily due to the withdrawal of army camps from the CHT (as mandated by the 1997 CHT Accord). However, the Commission in its various field visits to the CHT has not found any evidence of the army presence being withdrawn from the area in question; indeed, the army has long had, and continues to have, a garrison in Baghaihat which is in close proximity of the Pahari villages that were attacked. It has been alleged by affected people that, prior to the firing by the army, a planned arson attack was carried out by Bangali settlers in collusion with the Army and other security forces.
Thousands of Pahari families have been living in this area after having been suffered internal displacement from other parts of the CHT. However, in 2008, some Bengali settlers began to illegally construct houses in Gangaram area on land used by Pahari villagers. On April 20, 2008, a group of settlers attacked several indigenous villages, injuring people and burning down more than 70 houses. However, there was no effective intervention by the authorities, despite the close presence of the army and the other security forces. Subsequently, many indigenous peoples fled the area and lived in hiding.
In view of the circumstances and considerations noted above, the CHT Commission urges the Government of Bangladesh to immediately take the following remedial actions:
1. To prevent any further destruction of forensic and other evidence of killing or arson by any party, including the administration and security forces;
2. To ensure safety and security of all injured persons and transport them to a nearby hospital and provide urgent medical treatment to those suffering.
3. To also take immediate governmental custody of all dead bodies from the army and settlers, transferring them to neutral civilian government administration members, with the eventual objective of handing these over to the respective families;
4. To undertake an urgent, independent, high level investigation into the killings and allegations of human rights violations in the Baghaihat area of Sajek;
5. To prosecute through fair and prompt and independent processes those who are responsible for such killings and violence, and to ensure immediate security and safety for the bereaved families and other victims;
6. To take immediate steps to provide security of life and property, as well as food, water and shelter, for all women, men and children who have been left homeless, insecure and destitute from the arson attacks;
The CHT Commission also urges the Government of Bangladesh to take the following short-term actions:
1. To take immediate steps to activate the Land Commission and amend the CHT Land Dispute Settlement Commission Act 2001, so that all outstanding land disputes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts can be readily and fairly settled, as per provisions of the CHT Accord, thereby helping to prevent the outbreak of further violence;
2. To withdraw army camps from the three hill districts in accordance with the CHT Accord, as well as terminate Operation Uttaran;
3. To immediately declare a roadmap for full and comprehensive implementation of the 1997 CHT Accord, in line with the government’s election pledge.
On behalf of the CHT Commission
Eric Avebury (Co-chair of the CHT Commission), Sultana Kamal (Co-chair of the CHT Commission) Ida Nicolaisen (Co-chair of the CHT Commission)
