Thursday, December 2, 2010

PEACEBUILDING IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS, BANGLADESH: PROCESSES AND REALITIES

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the south-east of Bangladesh had been conflict torn for about three decades from 1970s to 1990s. Historically the CHT region is a home to eleven indigenous peoples, who are ethnically and culturally different from the Bengalis. Once the CHT region was independently administered by the traditional rajas (kings), but their authority had been curtailed through the arrival of the British colonial rulers (Larma, 2003; Roy, 2004). However, indigenous peoples of CHT always had the right to maintain own self-rule system. But in the aftermath of independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the Bengali ruling elites did not accept the indigenous people’s self-rules system and identities in the constitution (Chakma, 2005).
 
Jyotirindra Bodhipriya (Santu) Larma (right) handing over arm to Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh (left), 1997
Photo: the daily Kaler Kontha

On this backdrop, indigenous leaders in 1972 came up with a demand of autonomy for CHT to safeguard their rights, but this demand was categorically rejected by the newly independent Bangladesh. Under these circumstances, an indigenous political party PCJSS was formed under the leadership of MN Larma, then only indigenous MP, to achieve autonomy for indigenous peoples in CHT. As the PCJSS persisted with autonomy, the state responded to it through the repressive measures, which ultimately served the purpose of ‘ethnic cleansing’ against the indigenous peoples in CHT (Chakma, 2010a). In response to the state’s repressive measures, the PCJSS took up arms against the government since 1976 onwards. Since then it continued a guerrilla war against the government of Bangladesh (GoB) until 2 December 1997, when an agreement, popularly known as the CHT Peace Accord (PA) was reached between the government of Bangladesh (GoB) and the PCJSS, by ending the long-standing armed conflict and bloodshed in CHT.

According to Jeong (2005:5) in the post-conflict situation “implementation of the peace agreements may not necessarily be linear or orderly, and may not even guarantee an expected outcome”. This is true with the case of the PA of CHT, which is now beset with many problems. Since singing the PA, more than one decade has passed away without much progress in implementation of the PA. The PCJSS, a party to the PA blames the GoB for lack of its sincerity to implement the peace deal (Larma, 2003). Along with non-implementation of the PA, serious human rights violations on indigenous people such as communal attacks, land grabbing, killing and rapes have been reported by the PCJSS in the post-accord period. The recent violent attack added to the list of human rights violation was the Baghaihat communal attack jointly committed by the Bengali settlers and the military forces upon the indigenous villages last February 2010 in Rangamati, one of the three hill districts in CHT. In that conflict, six people got killed, and 25 injured (ACHR, 2010). Following this incident, Chakma (2010 b:19) comments that the recent violent conflict in Baghaihat is not an “isolated event” rather the latest development of the long-running saga of violence, and such kind of violent attacks on indigenous peoples will occur in the days to come until the structural roots of violent conflict remain unresolved.

In the aforementioned context, it is relevant to ask questions: how the conflicts have been resolved to establish peace in CHT, Bangladesh? To what extent the PA has been able to address the roots of structural violence? In order to answer these questions, I shall examine a) the root-causes of the violent conflicts; b) how the peace process was initiated and which actors were involved in the said process; and c) what were priorities of the PA towards establishing peace.

In this paper, I shall argue that the PA has ended the long-standing armed conflict, but it fails to bring lasting peace in CHT. The failures substantially result from two factors: lack of political commitment of the government to implement the PA; and absence of appropriate mechanisms within the framework of the PA to address the roots of structural violence in CHT.

2.0 HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT IN CHT

There are multiple factors behind the conflict of CHT, Bangladesh. However, the roots cause of conflict in CHT could be attributed to the continual denial of indigenous self-rule system by the successive regimes. But the violent conflict came to the surface in the aftermath of independence in 1971, when the new Bengali ruling elites completely ignored the indigenous rights and distinct identities during the statebuilding process of Bangladesh.

The political history of CHT has a bearing on the CHT conflict. Before the colonial rules, the traditional rajas (kings) ruled CHT region without external interference (Larma, 2003; Roy, 2004). With the annexation of CHT with the British colony the traditional rajas lost their freedom; however the colonial rulers maintained autonomous administrative status of CHT through legislative measures. For instance, in 1900 the British regime enacted a regulation called the ‘Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation I of 1900’ exclusively for the administration of CHT. Under this regulation, CHT was given a status of ‘Excluded Area’, by which the colonial rulers restricted outsiders from buying land and settling down permanently in CHT in order to protect indigenous peoples from economic exploitation. At the same time, they did not interfere with the internal affairs of indigenous peoples till their departure from the Indian sub-continent in 1947 (Roy, 2000).

Following the partition in 1947, CHT was ceded to Pakistan, despite it was a non-Muslim area. From the very beginning the Pakistani regime considered the CHT people as the “hostile elements and pro-Indians” (Uttaran, 1985:36). Consequently, the Pakistan regime adopted various anti-indigenous policies. First, it amended the legal instruments pertaining to CHT. In 1962, the administrative status of CHT was changed from ‘Excluded Area’ to ‘Tribal Inhabited Area’. Then in 1964, the Pakistan government totally scrapped off the ‘‘Tribal Inhabited Area’ from the Pakistan constitution to open CHT for the Bengali settlers (Adnan, 2004). Second, the Pakistan government appropriated natural resources through construction of a large hydroelectric dam at Kaptai in 1961 (ibid). By that dam, 54% of the total amount of arable lands in CHT went under water and more than hundred thousands of indigenous peoples were displaced from their ancestral lands (Chakma, 2005). Under these circumstances, a group of educated indigenous activists already started mobilising indigenous people, especially students and youth against the Pakistani discriminatory policies.

Immediately after independence in 1971, the Bengali ruling elites declared Bangladesh a ‘mono-national and mono-cultural’ state based on Bengali nationalism (Chakma, 2010a:287). By the first constitution of 1972, all citizens of Bangladesh were made ‘Bangalis’, regardless of ethnic identities, religion and culture of indigenous peoples (article 6(2) of the constitution). Moreover, article 3 of the constitution has declared ‘Bengali’ as the state language subsuming the indigenous people’s languages and culture; while article 1 has declared Bangladesh a ‘unitary’ republic that implies that no separate legislature or autonomy is possible for CHT (Islam, 2003). Thus constitutionally no rights and distinct identities of indigenous peoples have been recognised in the new constitution of Bangladesh in the name of ‘national integration’ (Islam, 1981; Zaman, 1982; Ahsan and Chakma, 1989).

Being worried about the future of indigenous peoples, MN Larma, MP, in the house of parliament demanded autonomy for CHT with constitutional guarantee of the indigenous rights and identities. But his demand was categorically rejected by the house.

Consequently PCJSS was formed in 1972 under the leadership of M.N Larma with an objective to achieve autonomy for CHT. When all democratic avenues failed to draw the attention of the State, PCJSS launched an armed struggle against the GoB since 1976 onwards (Jimi, 1985 and Uttaran, 1985).

On the other hand, to suppress the autonomy movement, the GoB adopted two radical measures: militarisation; and minorisation of indigenous people through transferring the Bengali settlers from the plains into CHT. The government increased the number of military forces across the whole CHT. Although no exact figure was available, it was estimated that two-third of the Bangladesh army was deployed in CHT (Uddin, 2008:17). While the CHT Commission (1991:35) reported, one military force for every ten indigenous persons had been deployed during the period from 1982 to 1990.

The other objective of the government was to minoritise indigenous peoples through changing the demographic composition. To this effect, the government brought 400,000 Bengali settlers into CHT during 1978 to 1984 (CHTC, 1991). The government promised those Bengali settlers to provide with land grants, cash and rations, but the suitable amount of land was already scarce in the hilly CHT. Hence, fully backed by the Bangladesh army and civil administration, the Bengali settlers started grabbing lands from indigenous villagers. Simultaneously, the Bengali settlers and the military forces jointly carried out systematic massacres and communal attacks on indigenous people across the whole CHT. PCJSS (2005) and Chakma (2010b) report more one dozen of massacres that took place from 1971 to 1993 in CHT. No exact figure was available, however, it was estimated that 30,000 people lost lives, and 80000 indigenous people crossed the Indian border to take refuge in Tripura state of India (Feeny, 2001).

Alongside the armed fighting between the military forces and PCJSS’ guerrillas, the systematic massacres, killings and rapes of indigenous villagers and women by the Bengali settlers continued unabated until the PA in 1997. Signing the PA puts an end to the armed conflict, but still now the violent conflicts erupt off and on between the indigenous villagers and the Bengali settlers in the post-PA period.

3.0 THE PEACE PROCESS

The peace processes in CHT, Bangladesh could be analysed in two aspects. First, the dialogues initiated by the military-backed autocratic regimes from 1976 to 1990, and second, the initiatives of peace process under the democratically elected governments from 1991 to 1997.

From 1976 to 1990, Bangladesh was ruled by the military backed governments – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party (JP). The BNP government led by President Ziaur Rahman (1976 to 1981) was reluctant to negotiate with the indigenous guerrillas; rather it wanted to a military solution. Following a military coup in 1981 president Ziaur Rahman got killed and then Lt. General Hussain Md. Ershard took over the power of the country. The Ershad government (1981 to 1990) first felt the need to solve the CHT problem through a political means. To this effect, a 3-member CHT Liaison Committee headed by Upendra Lal Chakma, MP, was formed in 1984 (Larma, 2003). The Ershad government held 6 rounds of talks with the PCJSS, but no tangible outcome achieved.

Following a mass upsurge across the country in 1990, the Ershad government toppled down. Then through a national election in 1991, the BNP led by Khaleda Zia was elected to form a government. The transition from military rules to democracy brought in a new hope to the PCJSS, which, as a good gesture to the BNP government, declared a unilateral ceasefire on 10 August 1992 (Larma, 2003). In response to it, the BNP government formed a Parliamentary Committee on CHT issue with Col. (Rtd.) Oli Ahmed, Communication Minister in the chair. The Parliamentary Committee held 13 rounds of talks with the PCJSS from 1992 to 1995, but no substantial progress could be achieved due to lack of strong political commitment of the BNP government (CHTC, 1997; Larma, 2003).

In 1996, following a national election the Awami League (AL), which led the Bangladesh liberation war, came to the power after 21 years since 1975. To attract the newly formed AL government’s attention, the PCJSS extended the ceasefire unilaterally. The AL government also responded to it positively by forming an 11-member National Committee on Chittagong Hill Tracts (NCCHT) on 1 October 1996 with Chief Whip, Abul Hasnat Abdullah (CHTC, 1997). To assist the NCCHT, the government also formed a 10-member Advisory Committee to co-opt the former army officials and civil society members. Following the six rounds of talks, both parties the NCCHT and the PCJSS agreed to a peace agreement, which was signed on 2 December 1997 in Dhaka.

Here, it is notable that no third party was involved in the peace negotiation process. However, some authors such as Mohsin (2003) and Islam (2003) stated that a few international factors had been instrumental to bring the PCJSS to the negotiation. First, the AL historically had good relations with India; second, it was often alleged by the GoB that the PCJSS guerrillas used the Indian territory as their hinterland, for which India now was no longer interested to support the PCJSS; and third, international pressure, especially from human rights bodies and donor agencies on the GoB to settle the CHT problem peacefully. Fourth, the PCJSS’ readiness to seek political solution following revival of democracy during 1990s in Bangladesh (Husain, 1997). Although no international mediator was involved in the peace process, the PA gained international acclamation, for which Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, received the UNESCO Peace Prize in 1999 (Jamil, and Panday, 2008).

4.0 PEACEBUILDING PRIORITIES IN THE PEACE ACCORD

In order to get a pragmatic solution, Paris (2005:768) suggests that peacebuilding should focus on the “prevention of large-scale violence” in the post-conflict settings. But there are different views on the peacebuilding priorities. According to David (1999: 27) the three elements are central to peacebuilding: security transition; democratic transition and socio-economic transition. By drawing on David, this section examines the peacebuilding priorities of the PA in the post-conflict settings in CHT.

4.1 SECURITY TRANSITION

One of the objectives of security transition is to prevent resumption of violence. To achieve this objective a few measures have been included in the PA.

4.1.1 Disarmament and reintegration of the combatants

It is notable here that the conflict in CHT was between the PCJSS’ guerrillas and the regular government military forces. Hence, one of the provisions included in the PA was to disarm the combatants. As per the provisions (sections 12 & 13 of Part D of the PA) the PCJSS was required to submit the list of arms and ammunition including the number of combatants to the government within the 45 days since after signing the PA. Then the government and the PCJSS jointly decided the phases of depositing arms and bringing the combatants’ family members to normal life. All combatants were granted amnesty.

In order reintegrate the ex-combatants and their families to society, the PA included a package of facilities that include: i) a lump sum cash payment for re-establishment; ii) remission of loan, if any; iii) reinstatement of combatants to their previous positions, if any; iv) recruitment to various government services according to their qualifications; v) bank loans for self-employment; and vi) educational facilities for children.

As per the provisions of the PA, PCJSS deposited arms and ammunition to the government. Of some 1900 ex-combatants, 682 were recruited in the police force, and 64 were reinstated to their previous services. But no measure has been taken to generate self-employment opportunities for the ex-combatants or their family members (PCJSS, 2003).

4.1.2 Repatriation of the refugees

The PA included a provision for repatriation of indigenous refugees who crossed the Indian border. The government offered a package of facilities for the returnee refugees. Of these, the major ones included were a lump sum cash payment; food ration; materials for construction of houses; returning lands to the families, who lost their lands to outsiders; remission of agricultural loans, and cash payment for purchase of plough cattle and so on. According to the PCJSS report (2003) some 70,000 refugees took shelter in India. Of them, 64000 people repatriated home following the PA.

4.1.3 Rehabilitation of internally displaced persons

During the conflict period, thousands of people internally were displaced within CHT. To rehabilitate those internally displaced persons (IDPs), the PA (section 1 of Part D) provides for a Task Force. Immediately after the PA, the Task Force was formed with an indigenous MP from the ruling party, in the chair. The first task of the Task Force was to determine the criteria of and identify the IDPs. Unfortunately that Task Force could not advance its activities as then chair of the Task Force unilaterally included the Bengali settlers in the list of IDPs (PCJSS, 2003). Claiming this decision as “anti-peace Accord”, the PCJSS opposed the inclusion of the Bengali settlers in the IDPs’ list. Until now, the Task Force could not make any progress for rehabilitation of IDPs.

4.1.4 Demilitarisation and mixed police force

Militarisation has been a serious threat to human rights protection in CHT. Across the whole CHT, there are more than 500 military camps. Therefore, to assist demilitarisation and improve law and order situation in CHT, the PA stipulates: i) all temporary camps of security forces would be withdrawn except six major cantonments in CHT (section 17 (a) of Part D of the PA); and ii) local police force with local indigenous persons.

So far, no actual figure is available about the status of withdrawal of military camps. Instead the government imposed a new military rules, called Operation Uttoran (upliftment), by which the military forces are allowed to control civil administration, law and order including implementation of certain development programs such as “Shantakaran” (pacification) and “Ashrayan” (shelter) projects for the Bengali settlers in the post-accord period (PCJSS, 2005).

4.2 DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION

4.2.1 Political participation

To ensure political representation of indigenous peoples in state affairs, three special governance structures have been set up. These are: i) a ministry exclusively for CHT; ii) a regional council over three hill districts of CHT; and iii) hill district council (HDC) in each district of CHT.

The Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) is headed by an indigenous person. Its main role is to supervise and coordinate overall development matters and administrative activities of CHT region. At the national level, the MoCHTA is mandated to uphold the interest of the CHT people by coordinating with other line ministries, and providing advisory support to the central government with regards to CHT affairs.

Over three hill district, the CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) also has been established with 22 members under the leadership of Jyotirindra Bodhipriya (Santu) Larma, head of the former guerrilla force. Two-third seats have been reserved for indigenous persons including the position of chair. The CHTRC has a mandate to coordinate and supervise all activities of three HDCs, general civil administration and law and order, and all other development activities/programs undertaken by the local authorities in CHT. It also may advise the central government before making any laws concerning CHT at the national level (Article 53 of CHTRC Act 1998).

For each district of CHT, a Hill District Council (HDC) has been established under the leadership of indigenous person. Proportional representation from all communities has been ensured in the HDCs. As per the PA, 33 subjects of public services of the central government would be delegated to the HDCs to ensure economic, social and cultural development. Of which, the major ones are education, (primary and secondary); health; agriculture and forestry; livestock; fisheries; cooperatives; commerce and industries; social welfare; culture; land and land management; indigenous custom, tradition and social justice system and so forth.

4.2.2 Election of the Hill Councils

As per the PA, the HDCs will be constituted with elected representatives. Then the CHTRC will be formed through the votes of the HDCs members. Due to lack of subsidiary legislation on the election procedures, the elections of the HDCs could not be held yet. So, the interim Councils are running functions now.

4.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSITION

This aspect relates to the reconstruction of economic and social services in the post conflict settings. It depends on the following issues, which the PA has tried to address.

4.3.1 Delegation of authority to the Hill Councils

As discussed in section 4.2.1, the CHTRC and the HDCs are expected to be powerful institutions to carry out development programs and to provide basic services to the people in CHT. But due to lack of subsidiary legislation and lack of political support, the CHTRC is yet to be able to fully exercise its power to coordinate and supervise overall development activities, general administration and law and order in CHT (Larma, 2003).

Similarly, the HDCs have not been empowered to function properly for the economic, social and cultural development of the people in CHT. In 13 years of the signing the PA, the central government delegated only 12 out of 33 transferable subjects to the HDCs (PCJSS, 2010).

As such, the effectiveness of these Hill Councils to contribute to the reconstruction of the conflict affected society substantially has remained unutilised, as the central government did not delegate authorities to them.

4.3.2 Resolution of Land Disputes

Due to government-sponsored population transmigration program, the conflict over the land ownership between the Bengali settlers and indigenous people is now at the centre of conflict in CHT. To resolve all disputes related to lands in CHT, the PA stipulates a Commission on land.

Simultaneously, the HDCs have the authority to control all types of lands, except the lands of the public institutions in CHT. Without prior approval of the HDCs, no lands could be transferred to others (article 64 of HDC Act 1998).

In reality, in 13 years of the PA, the Land Commission could not function due to inconsistencies between commission’s law and the PA. To remove those inconsistencies, the Hill Councils, especially the CHTRC put recommendations to the government, but so far no government has taken any effective measures to this effect (PCJSS, 2005).

5.0 WHAT ARE MISSING TO BUILD PEACE IN THE PEACE ACCORD

The PA could be critiqued from different perspectives. However, the following issues, that are central to the roots of structural violence in CHT, have not been addressed in the PA.

i) Withdrawal of Bengali settlers: Under the government sponsorship approximately 400000 Bengali settlers had been brought into CHT (see section 2.0). To grab lands, these Bengali settlers backed by the army carried out system massacres and killings on indigenous people. But the PA directly did not address the withdrawal of the Bengali settlers. Even in the post-Accord period, infiltration of the Bengali settlers into CHT continues unabated.

ii) Justice and reconciliation: During the conflict between the Bengali settlers and indigenous villagers, and between the government forces and guerrillas, many people lost lives and beloved ones. Many indigenous women have been victimised of rapes by the Bengali settlers and military forces. The PA has remained silent about the massacres, and justice and reconciliation of the affected people.

iii) Non-recognition of identities: One of the roots of the conflict was non-recognition of distinct identities of indigenous peoples in the constitution. The PA did not address the identity question. Instead, it used the term ‘tribal’, which is derogatory. By denying indigenous identities, the government tend to renege upon the indigenous rights to autonomy. Moreover, the PA has not been safeguarded constitutionally, for which any government may repeal it with a simple majority in the parliament.

iv) No roadmap for implementation: There is no clear roadmap for implementation of the provisions of the PA. This loophole leaves a room for the government to dillydally implementation of its obligations.

6.0 CONCLUSION
The conflict emerged from non-recognition of ethnic identities of indigenous peoples during the statebuilding process of nation state. In that sense, the conflict in CHT, Bangladesh is between the nation state and indigenous peoples, where the latter want recognition of their rights and identities in the state system; while the former denies accepting it.

As indigenous peoples were persisting with the demand for autonomy, the state took resort to the two radical measures – militarisation and minoritisation of indigenous people. As part of the minoritisation policy, the state sponsored importing Bengali settlers from the plains into the indigenous inhabited CHT region. Consequently there had been competition over lands and resources in CHT, where the state (the army) took side with the Bengali settlers against the indigenous people. Thus the state camouflaged its role in the conflict by unleashing the Bengali settlers from behind against the non-Bengalis (indigenous people).

The CHT peace process has had several distinct features such as: i) no external mediation was involved; ii) military intervention i.e. military-backed governments could not achieve success; iii) effective dialogue was possible following a transition from autocratic rules to democracy in the country; and iv) political commitment of both parties (the GoB and the PCJSS) to solve the conflict. To increase confidence of the guerrillas, the GoB established a parliamentary body, which negotiated with the PCJSS for a peaceful and political solution and that resulted in a peace accord.

The PA has set out a wide range of priorities, which could be divided into several categories such as i) political representation; ii) disarmament and rehabilitation; iii) resolution of land disputes; and iv) demilitarisation. Disarmament and reintegration of the ex-combatants and repartition of refugees have taken place substantially. But of the ‘other priorities’, some have remained partially addressed and some completely unaddressed since signing the PA. Of these priorities, resolution of land disputes and rehabilitation of IDPs, and election of the hill councils have remained untouched upon.

On top of all these issues, the PA is silent about the roots of violent conflicts such as withdrawal of the Bengali settlers, and constitutional recognition of indigenous identities, including the issues of justice and reconciliation. To protect the Bengali settlers, the army still has maintained not only its high physical presence, but also interference in civil matters in CHT. As long as the withdrawal of the settlers and military rules will go unattended, the violent conflicts tend to continue in CHT intermittently (Chakma, 2010b).

Finally, it can be said that the PA itself cannot bring lasting peace unless the parties to the PA do have mutual respect, trust and commitment to each other. The same thing happened in the case of the CHT peace process. Non-implementation of the peacebuilding priorities in CHT does not relate to the limitation of the PA itself; rather it ensues from the absence of the political commitment of the government.




References

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Adnan, Shapan (2004) Migration, Land Alienation and Ethnic Conflict: Causes of Poverty in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, Dhaka: Research and Advisory Services.

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Feeny, Thomas (2001) ‘Fragility of Peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh’, Forced Migration Review, FMR 11, viewed on 25 October 2010, available at http://www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/FMR11/fmr11.10.pdf.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

CONCERN OVER CONDUCT OF LAND SURVEY IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS, BANGLADESH

by Raja Devasish Roy, Chief, Chakma Circle

[Raja Roy writes about the concern over the proposed land survey in CHT. With a view to circulating it and raising awareness among the people, this piece has been posted on here]  

The indigenous Jumma people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region in Bangladesh, and the indigenous Jummas living in other parts of the world are gravely concerned at imminent programmes of the CHT Land Disputes Resolution Commission and the Government of Bangladesh to conduct a Land Survey in the CHT.


The proposed survey, if conducted, will be so done without the prior, informed consent of the indigenous peoples of the region and in violation of the express provisions of the CHT Accord of 1997 otherwise known as the “peace accord”.

Photo: Midori Matsuda
The CHT Accord of 1997 provides that a land survey should only be conducted if the following eventualities take place: (i) the resolution of land disputes; (ii) the rehabilitation of the India-returned international Jumma refuges and the internally displaced (indigenous) people; (iii) land grants to landless indigenous people; and (iv) the request of the CHT Regional Council. Although most of the refugees have been rehabilitated, some refugees and all of the Jumma displaced people remain un-rehabilitated. The other eventualities, mentioned above (i, iii and iv), have also not happened. Therefore, a survey would be premature and not in accordance with the Accord.

Based upon the experience of similar surveys conducted in the past, indigenous communities are fearful that such a survey will lead to further land alienation through the appropriation of their lands by unlawful settlers, private companies, government departments and elite city-dwellers.

A survey as proposed, is more than likely to lead to the legitimization of unlawful occupation by outsiders of the indigenous peoples’ customarily used lands. Similarly, the survey is almost certain to lead to the privatization of indigenous commons through the de-recognition of oral tradition-oriented customary regimes and practices on the ownership, occupation and use of homesteads, agricultural land, community forests, grazing lands, grasslands and water bodies. Land surveys are based upon concepts of land ownership, use, occupation, record of rights and so forth in accordance with land ownership and land survey laws of the plains districts of Bangladesh, which have no manner of application to the CHT. The CHT is administered in accordance with the CHT Regulation, 1900, read with the Hill District Councils Acts of 1989 and the CHT Regional Council Act of 1998, which recognize the customary land rights of the indigenous peoples.

It is believed that the proposed survey is to be started at the behest of Mr. Justice Khademul Islam, the chairperson of the CHT Land Disputes Resolution Commission, and other government officials. This is being done in gross violation of the provisions of the CHT Land Disputes Resolution Commission Act of 2001 and other relevant laws, and against the wishes of the majority of the members of the commission, including the chairperson of the CHT Regional Council, the chairpersons of the three Hill District Councils and the three traditional rajas or Circle Chiefs. Many of the aforesaid indigenous leaders have formally protested against the proposed survey and called upon the government, including in writing, to suspend the work of the commission until such time as the inconsistencies between the Land Commission law and the provisions of the CHT Accord of 1997 are resolved through legal amendments in consultation with the CHT Regional Council and there is consensus on the procedure of dispute resolution among the members.

One of the results of a survey is information and data on the surveyed land: about its physical properties (whether the land is lowland or slope, water body or land, whether there is vegetation on it or not), its measurements, and the identity of its present occupiers and so forth. If, theoretically, the Land Commission were to recover possession of unlawfully occupied land and declare illegal unlawful settlements (which is within its mandate), what then would be the use of obtaining a picture of the current status of land statistics and the identity of the occupants, which might change after dispute resolution by the commission? Why would one spend so much time, effort and money to do such a survey? Thus there is every reason to suspect that there is no intention of changing the status quo.

There is also every reason to suspect that there is an intention to re-settle non-indigenous migrants people on land on which there is no registered title (which may emerge after a land survey), which may be termed “khas”. The concept of khas does not apply to the CHT. Khas lands are those lands in the plains that were not recorded in the name of any person or institution when the title of those lands were transferred from the zamindars (landlords) to the state in 1950, with the abolition of zamindary. There was no zamindary in the CHT, and the concerned land law that recognizes the concept of khas (East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950) does not apply to the CHT. CHT lands that are not settled or leased out in the name of any person or institution are the customary commons of the hill peoples, whether they are forest, swidden (jum) land, grazing land, grassland or water body.

The conduct of a survey will in practice amount to the divestment of responsibility of the functions of the CHT Land Disputes Resolution Commission – to provide a just resolution to the problem of land alienation and land dispossession in accordance with the “laws, customs and usages” of the CHT - to dispute resolution by survey officials who have no knowledge and experience of custom-based land ownership and use. One cannot of course expect that the CHT people – particularly the Jummas – are going to get more justice at the hands of survey officials (Kanungo, Amin, Surveyors, Chainmen) than at the hands of a commission in which their representatives have a role in decision-making.

A land survey, if deemed appropriate, should only be done in the CHT after the concerned land and survey laws are amended to adequately acknowledge the customary land rights of the indigenous peoples of the CHT and in accordance with the provisions of the CHT Accord of 1997, as mentioned above.

This applies to survey anywhere in the CHT, whether for ‘disputed’ lands or ‘undisputed’ lands.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

পার্বত্য ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি ও ভূমিকমিশন চেয়ারম্যানের ব্যবস্থাপত্র

সংবিধান সংশোধন ও আদিবাসীদের সাংবিধানিক স্বীকৃতির দাবীটি এখন সবচেয়ে আলোচিত হয়ে দাঁড়িয়ছে।ঠিক সেই মুহুর্তে দৈনিক ‘প্রথম আলো’গত ২৫ আগস্ট “পার্বত্য ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি আইনে ছয়টি ধারা সংশোধন ও বিরোধহীনভূমি জরিপ হবে” মর্মে একটি সংবাদ ছাপিয়েছে।আজকে ২৮ আগস্ট যখন এ লেখাটি তৈরী করছিলাম, তখন ‘প্রথম আলো’তে ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি বিষয়ে একটি সম্পাদকীয় চোখে পড়ল।এতে বিরোধহীনভূমিতে জরিপ করলে সমস্যা থাকার কথা নয় উল্লেখ করে বিষয়টিতে আদিবাসী নেতাদের সমর্থন জানানো উচিত এবং সব আশংকা দূরীকরণের জন্যে প্রশাসনের তরফে প্রয়োজনীয় পদক্ষেপ নেওয়া প্রয়োজন বলে মন্তব্য করা হয়েছে।জানিনা, উল্লেখিত সংবাদ ও ‘প্রথম আলো’র সম্পাদকীয়টি আমাদের পার্বত্য নেতারা কিভাবে আমলে নিচ্ছেন।তবে গত ২৫ আগস্টে প্রকাশিত সংবাদে কয়েকটি উল্লেখযোগ্য দিক রয়েছে।সেগুলো আলোচনার দাবী রাখে। যেমন,

(১)সংবাদে বলা হয়েছে, পুরোনো আইনে বন্দোবস্ত, বিরোধনিষ্পত্তি, পুনর্বাসিত শরণার্থী, দখল-বেদখল ও আবেদনের পদ্ধতি নিয়ে যে অসংগতি রয়েছে তা দূর করার জন্যে ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি কমিশনের ছয়টি ধারা সংশোধনের জন্যে সরকার উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে।

(২)ভূমি সচিবের উদ্ধৃতি দিয়ে বলা হয়েছে, পার্বত্য এলাকার যেসব ভূমি নিয়ে কোন সমস্যা নেই, সেই অংশে সরকার জরিপের উদ্যোগ নিচ্ছে।তবে এ ব্যাপারে পার্বত্য নেতাদের মতামত নেওয়া হবে বলে জানান।

(৩) পার্বত্য চুক্তিতে ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পতির পরে ভূমিজরিপের কথা স্পষ্টভাবে বলা হলেও ভূমিকমিশন চেয়ারম্যান বিচারপতি (অবঃ) খাদেমূল ইসলাম চৌধুরী আবারও জোর দিয়ে বললেন, “আগে জরিপ করতে হবে,তারপর ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি। জরিপ কার্যক্রম শুরু না হলে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি,স্থিতিশীলতা, সামাজিক, অর্থনৈতিক উন্নয়নে সরকারের সব উদ্যোগ ব্যর্থ হয়ে যাবে”।

Justice (retd) Khademul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman, CHT Land Commission, and Mr. Jatindra Lal Tripura, MP and Chairman, Task Force on Rehabilitation of Refugees and IDPs.
এ লেখায় ১ নং বিষয়ে বিস্তারিতভাবে বলার প্রয়োজন নেই।কেননা,ভূমি বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি কমিশনের আইনে বিসমিল্লায় গলদ ছিল,সে কারণে এ কমিশন দীর্ঘ একযুগ সময়েও কোন কাজ করতে পারেনি।অন্যদিকে বারবার সরকার পরিবর্তন হলেও এ যাবত কোন সরকারই আইন সংশোধনে কোন কার্যকর উদ্যোগ নেয়নি।যদি আওয়ামী নেতৃত্বাধীন বর্তমান মহাজোট সরকার পার্বত্যচুক্তির মূল চেতনার সাথে সংগতি রেখে ‘ভূমি বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি কমিশনের আইন’ সংশোধন করে এবং সেভাবে কার্যকর পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণ করে তাহলে সাধুবাদ জানাতে হবে।তবে শেষটা না দেখা পর্যন্ত এখনও আশান্বিত হওয়ার কোন কারণ নেই।

এদিকে ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি কমিশন আইনে সংশোধন হোক আর নাই হোক উপরে উল্লেখিত ২ নং ও ৩ নং বিষয়ে কিছু আশংকা রয়েছে সেগুলো একটু আলোচনা করা প্রয়োজন।উক্ত দু’টো বিষয়ই ভূমি জরিপ সংক্রান্ত।গত বছর দায়িত্ব নেওয়ার পর থেকেই ভূমিকমিশন চেয়ারম্যান খাদেমুল সাহেব একটি প্রশ্নের জন্ম দিয়েছেন, ‘কোনটা আগে - ভূমি জরিপ নাকি বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি? এ প্রশ্নের সাথে সরকার আরো একটি প্রশ্নের জন্ম দিতে যাচ্ছে,‘ভূমি জরিপ কোথায় থেকে শুরু হবে?বিরোধহীন ভূমি থেকে নাকি বিরোধপূর্ণ ভূমি থেকে?

আইনি কিতাবে যাই লেখা থাকুক, খাদেমুল সাহেব তো আগেই একটা ব্যবস্থাপত্র দিয়ে রেখেছেন, আগে ভূমি জরিপ করতে হবে।তারপর ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি হবে। এবার এ কথার সাথে আরো একটি ভয়ংকর কথা যোগ করলেন, “জরিপ কার্যক্রম শুরু না হলে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি, স্থিতিশীলতা, সামাজিক, অর্থনৈতিক উন্নয়নে সরকারের সব উদ্যোগ ব্যর্থ হয়ে যাবে”। ভূমি জরিপ তো পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে অনেক যুগ ধরে হয় নি; তাহলে কী ধরে নেবো খাদেমুল ভূমি কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান হওয়ার আগ পর্যন্ত পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে গৃহীত সব সরকারী উদ্যোগ ব্যর্থ হয়েছিল? ‘ভূমি জরিপ’ না হলে ‘সরকারের সব উদ্যোগ ব্যর্থ হবে’-খাদেমুলের এ বক্তব্য পড়ে ভাবছিলাম তিনি কিভাবে পার্বত্য ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তি ‘ব্যবস্থাপত্রে’ নতুন নতুন ‘অনুপান’ জুরে দিচ্ছেন।মনে পড়ল,মারমা ভাষার প্রবাদ বাক্যটা “ল্যূমা ল্যূ হিরে চিগা মা চিগা হিরে”(মানুষের মধ্যে মানুষ আছে কথার মধ্যে কথা আছে)(মারমা ভাইবোনেরা ভুল হলে শুদ্ধ করে দেবেন)।প্রশ্ন জাগে মনে, সরকার ও খাদেমুলের আপাত: নিদোর্ষ ‘কথা’গুলোর মধ্যে কী ‘কথা’ আছে, আর ভূমি কমিশন চেয়ারম্যান ‘খাদেমুলে’র মধ্যে কোন ‘খাদেমুল’ আছে? বিশ্লেষণ করে দেখা যাক ভূমি জরিপের “ল্যূমা ল্যূ হিরে চিগা মা চিগা হিরে” কথাটা।

মনে হচ্ছে, সরকার একটু চালাকি করে এগোতে চায়। ভূমি জরিপ ‘আগে’ হবে বা ‘পরে’ হবে সেরকম কিছু না বলে সরকার এখন বলছে পার্বত্য নেতাদের মতামত নিয়ে ‘বিরোধহীনভূমি’ জরিপ হবে।পার্বত্য নেতারা কী মতামত দেবেন জানিনা। কিন্তু আমার মনে অনেক প্রশ্ন জাগে,বিরোধহীনভূমিতে কেন আগে জরিপ শুরু করা প্রয়োজন? বিরোধহীনভূমিতে জরিপ করার উদ্দেশ্য কী? কোনগুলোই বা বিরোধহীনভূমি? সরকারের “বিরোধহীনভূমিতে জরিপ” কিংবা খাদেমুলের “আগে ভূমি জরিপ করতে হবে” এরকম কথার মধ্যে আরো কিছু কথা আছে বলে মনে হয়। সেগুলো হলোঃ

১. খাদেমুলের মত “ভূমি জরিপ আগে হতে হবে” এরকম কিছু না বললেও সরকার পরোক্ষভাবে খাদেমুলের ব্যবস্থাপত্র অনুসরণ করতে চাচ্ছে।সরকার হয়তো মনে করছে যে কোন ভাবে জরিপ শুরু করা গেলে সেটা যে কোন প্রকারে শেষ করা যাবে।প্রয়োজনে সেনা-পুলিশ-বর্ডার গার্ড নিয়োগ করে হলেও সেটা শেষ করা যাবে।

২. ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তির লক্ষ্যে জরিপের কথা বলা হলেও সরকারের বা খাদেমুলের উদ্দেশ্য অত্যন্ত আন্তরিক ও সৎ উদ্দেশ্যপ্রণোদিত একথা বিশ্বাস করার কোন কারণ নেই। সেরকম বাস্তব প্রমাণ তাদের কাছ থেকে এখনো পাওয়া যায়নি।‘বিরোধহীনভূমি’ বলতে কী বুঝায় সেটা পরিস্কার না করে ভূমি জরিপ শুরু করার চেষ্টাটা একটি কুটচাল ছাড়া আর কিছুই হতে পারে না।

৩. ‘বিরোধহীন ভূমি’তে জরিপ করার অনুমোদন দেওয়ার অর্থ হলো বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তির আগে জরিপ করতে দেওয়া।অন্যদিকে বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তির আগে ভূমি জরিপ করার পেছনে সরকার বা খাদেমুলের কয়েকটি উদ্দেশ্য থাকতে পারে। যেমন, ক) জরিপের মাধ্যমে কোথায় কোথায় কী কী ধরনের, কী পরিমাণের জমি আছে, সরকারী ভাষায় কোথায় কোথায় খাসজমি আছে, কোথায় কোথায় পাহাড়, বন ও নদীনালা আছে, কোথায় কোথায় কী পরিমাণ বন্দোস্তকৃত ও অবন্দোস্তকৃত জমি আছে সেগুলো চিহ্নিত করা যাবে;খ) জরিপের মাধ্যমে সব ভূমি চিহ্নিত করার উদ্দেশ্যের পেছনে একটি অন্তর্নিহিত বার্তা আছে। সেটা হলো ভূমিবিরোধ নিষ্পত্তির বিচারকালে যদি কোন সেটেলার অবৈধ দখলদার হিসেবে প্রমাণিত হয়, তাহলে তাকে ব্যক্তিমালিকানা বহির্ভূত সরকারী জমি অর্থাৎ খাসজমিতে বসতি দেওয়ার ব্যবস্থা করতে ভূমি কমিশন (অর্থাৎ খাদেমুল) আগেভাগে প্রস্তুত। এ যুক্তির পেছনে গত ফেব্রুয়ারীতে বাঘাইছড়িতে সংঘটিত সাম্প্রদায়িক ঘটনার কথা উল্লেখ করা যায়।যতদূর জানি,বছর তিনেক আগে সেনাক্যাম্পে কাজ করার জন্যে শ্রমিক প্রয়োজন এমন অজুহাতে সেনাবাহিনীরা কিছু সেটেলার পরিবার সেখানে নিতে চেয়েছিল। কিন্তু সেখানকার পাহাড়ীরা সেটা চায়নি, এবং প্রতিবাদ করেছিল।প্রতিবাদের মুখে সেনাবাহিনী তখন তা করতে না পারলেও বছর খানেক পরে কিছু সেটেলার পরিবার নিয়ে গিয়েছিল।তখন সেনাবাহিনী যুক্তি দিয়েছিল,“বাঙালিরা (সেটেলাররা) সরকারী (বনবিভাগের) জমিতে ঘর তুলেছে, পাহাড়ীদের জমিতে নয়”।পাহাড়ীদেরকে বাড়াবাড়ি না করার জন্যে তারা হুমকি দিয়েছিল।অবশেষে ২০১০-এর ফেব্রুয়ারীতে তা পাহাড়ী-বাঙালি দ্বন্দে রূপ নেয়।

৪. বাঘাইহাটের ঐ ঘটনার সাথে সাযুজ্য রেখে বলা যায়, ভূমি কমিশনের খাদেমুলের ভেতরে ‘সেনাবাহিনীর চেতনাসম্পন্ন খাদেমুল’ রয়েছে। প্রকাশ্যভাবে না বললেও বিচারপ্রক্রিয়ায় অবৈধ দখলদার হিসেবে প্রমাণিত সেটেলারদেরকে তথাকথিত সরকারী ‘খাস’জমিতে পুনর্বাসনের ব্যবস্থা করার চিন্তা তার মনের মধ্যে রয়েছে। ঠিক বাঘাইছড়ির সেনাবাহিনীর মত সরকার তথা খাদেমুলও পরে হয়ত বলবেন,“পাহাড়ীদের ভূমিতে নয়,সরকারী খাসজমিতে বাঙালিদের (সেটেলারদের)বসতি দেওয়া হবে”।খাদেমুল সাহেব সেটা আইনগতভাবে পাকাপোক্ত করার সুযোগ নিতে চাচ্ছেন ।এ ধরনের উদ্যোগকে অনেকে ‘পাহাড়ী-বাঙালির সহাবস্থানে’র নীতি হিসেবে বলে থাকেন।এরকম ‘সহাবস্থানের নীতি’বাস্তবায়নের অংশ হিসেবে সরকার তথা খাদেমুল ভূমি জরিপকে বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তির পূর্বশর্ত হিসেবে বিবেচনা করছেন।

৫. ভূমি জরিপের অর্থ হলো পুরো পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামকে কাগজের টুকরো দিয়ে ব্যক্তিগত সম্পক্তিতে পরিণত করা, এবং ভাগবাটোয়ারার ব্যবস্থা করা।একবার জরিপ হয়ে গেলে পাহাড় আর পাহাড় থাকবে না, জঙ্গল আর জঙ্গল থাকবে না।আদিবাসীদের প্রথাগত ভূমি বলে আর কিছুই থাকবে না। জমি চুরি, ও ভাগবাটোয়ারার লড়াই শুরু হবে। সেই লড়াইয়ে নিরীহ জুমচাষী কিংবা সেটেলাররা জমি ভাগ পাবে কি না বড় সন্দেহ রয়েছে।সেই লড়াইয়ে বিগত তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারের সাবেক উপদেষ্টা মেজর জেনারেল (অবঃ) আব্দুল মতিন ও সাংসদ অলি আহম্মদদের মত রাঘাব বোয়াল ও জেনারেলরা, সাধারণের মধ্যে অসাধারণরা ক্ষমতার জোরে ও কলমের খোঁচায় সাধারণ মানুষের প্রথাগত ভূমি কেড়ে নেবে, কখনো বা চুপিসারে চুরি করবে একথা নিশ্চিত করে বলা যায়।ক্ষমতাবানদের ভূমি দখলের অবাধ প্রতিযোগিতা শুরু হবে। তাদেরকে তখন কেউই প্রতিরোধ করতে পারবে না।

ভূমি জরিপের ঘোমটার ভেতর এসব খেমটা নাচের কথা অবশ্যই বিবেচনায় রাখা প্রয়োজন।তা না হলে ভূমি জরিপের মাধ্যমে আরো নতুন নতুন সংকট সৃষ্টি করা হবে।তাই এ মুহুর্তে ব্যাপক আকারের ভূমি জরিপ, সেটা বিরোধহীন ভূমিতে হোক আর বিরোধপূর্ণ ভূমিতে হোক- কোনভাবে কাম্য হতে পারে না।

এবার ভূমি কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান খাদেমুলের ব্যবস্থাপত্রের নতুন ‘অনুপান’ (জরিপ কার্যক্রম শুরু না হলে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি, স্থিতিশীলতা, সামাজিক, অর্থনৈতিক উন্নয়নে সরকারের সব উদ্যোগ ব্যর্থ হয়ে যাবে)-এর দিকে একটু দৃষ্টি দেয়া যাক।খাদেমুলের এ ‘অনুপান’টা পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম রোগের সাথে সংগতিপূর্ণ নয়।তিনি যা বলেছেন তা কোন গবেষণালব্দ তত্ত্ব নয়,তার ভাববিলাসী মনের কল্পনা মাত্র।পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের শান্তি, স্থিতিশীলতা, সামাজিক ও অর্থনৈতিক উন্নয়নকে কেবল একটিমাত্র দিক ‘ভূমি জরিপে’র সাথে সংশ্লিষ্ট করেছেন,যা একদেশদর্শীতায় দুষ্ট।তাই খাদেমূলের ব্যবস্থাপত্র বেশি বিশ্লেষণের প্রয়োজন নেই।তবে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি, স্থিতিশীলতা প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে হলে, ব্যরিস্টার রাজা দেবাশীষ রায়ের ভাষায় বলতে হয়, খাদেমূলকে আমিন-কানুনগো’র কাজ করার চিন্তা বাদ দিতে হবে এবং সৃজনশীল কাজের কথা ভাবতে হবে।খাদেমুল সাহেবকে তার ব্যবস্থাপত্রে আরো কিছু ‘অনুপান’ বিবেচনায় নিতে হবে, তা না হলে তিনি ‘পার্বত্য ভূমিরোগ’ সারানোর ব্যাপারে কোন কার্যকর পদক্ষেপ নিতে পারবেন না।

১। পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের নেতৃবৃন্দ ভূমিজরিপের বিপক্ষে নন; তবে তারা খাদেমুলকে চুক্তির প্রতি সম্মান প্রদর্শন করার কথা বলছেন। চুক্তিতে স্পষ্ট বলা আছে,কখন ভূমি জরিপ হবে।অর্থাৎ মাঠে ময়দানে উত্তেজক বক্তব্য না রেখে ভূমি কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান হিসেবে খাদেমুলকে ভূমি কমিশনের সব সদস্যের সাথে বসে ঐক্যমতের ভিত্তিতে সিদ্ধান্ত নিতে হবে কমিশন কী কী কাজ করবে।

২। ভূমিকমিশনের আইনে বিসমিল্লায় যে গলদ হয়েছে সেটা সংশোধনের উদ্যোগ নিতে হবে। কমিশন চেয়ারম্যানের একক কর্তৃত্বের মধ্যে ভারসাম্য নিয়ে আসতে হবে।

৩। ভূমি জরিপ নয়, কমিশনের প্রথম কাজ হওয়া উচিত কোথায় কোথায় বিরোধ আছে সেগুলো চিহ্নিত করা।এরপর ভূমি কমিশন আইন অনুসরণে সেগুলো মীমাংসার জন্যে কার্যপদ্ধতি নির্ধারণ করা।এক্ষেত্রে এক একটি কেস ধরে ভূমি কমিশন শুনানী করতে পারে।সেটা মীমাংসা করতে গিয়ে যদি কোন জরিপের প্রয়োজন হয়, তৎক্ষণাৎ বিরোধপূর্ণ ভূমিতে জরিপ করা যেতে পারে। এক্ষেত্রে জেলা/উপজেলা ভূমি অফিস সহযোগিতা দিতে পারে।এর জন্যে ঢাকঢোল বাজিয়ে সারা পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে ভূমি জরিপ শুরু করার প্রয়োজন পড়ে না।

৪।ন্যায়বিচার ও ক্ষতিপূরণের বিষয়টি বিবেচনায় রাখতে হবে। যেসব সেটেলার পরিবার অবৈধ দখলদার বলে বিবেচিত হবে তাদেরকে পুনর্বাসনের ব্যবস্থা করতে হবে।কিভাবে পুনর্বাসন হবে সে ব্যাপারে পুরো ভূমিকমিশন ও সরকারকে ঐক্যমত্যে পৌঁছতে হবে।খাদেমুলের একতরফা ‘সহাবস্থানের নীতিতে’ পুনর্বাসনের চেষ্টা করা হলে শান্তি প্রতিষ্ঠিত হতে পারবে না।

৫। শান্তি ও স্থিতিশীলতা বজায় রাখতে হলে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে সামরিকায়ন বন্ধ করতে হবে।অপ্রিয় হলেও সত্য, সাম্প্রদায়িক ও জঙ্গীবাদী শক্তির মদদ দাতা হলো সেনাপ্রশাসনের একাংশ। তাই পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি ও স্থিতিশীলতা আনতে হলে সেনাবাহিনীর নিরপেক্ষ ভূমিকা নিশ্চিত করতে হবে এবং গণতান্ত্রিক প্রশাসনের কাছে কর্তৃত্ব হস্তান্তর করে বেসামরিক প্রশাসনকে শক্তিশালী করতে হবে।

৬। আইনশৃংখলা রক্ষা ও উন্নয়নের জন্যে চুক্তি মোতাবেক মিশ্র পুলিশবাহিনী গঠন করতে হবে। জনশৃংখলা রক্ষা ও নিরাপত্তা বিধানের এ দিকটি উপেক্ষিত থাকলে উন্নয়ন কার্যক্রম পরিচালনা তথা ন্যায়বিচার প্রতিষ্ঠা করা কঠিন হবে।

আরো অনেক সুপারিশ রাখা যায়। তবে খাদেমুলকে মনে রাখতে হবে শান্তিপ্রতিষ্ঠার প্রথম ও প্রাথমিক পূর্বশর্ত হলো পারস্পরিক আস্থা, শ্রদ্ধা ও বিশ্বাসের পরিবেশ গড়ে তোলা।কিন্তু তিনি কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান নিয়োজিত হওয়ার পর থেকেই কমিশনের অন্যান্য সদস্যদের কোন তোয়াক্কা না করে একটার পর একটা বিতর্কিত কথা বার্তা বলে বেড়াচ্ছেন।ভূমি জরিপ না হওয়ার কারণে নয়,তার নিজের একগুঁয়েমী ও একদেশদর্শী দৃষ্টিভঙ্গির কারণে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি ও স্থিতিশীলতা বিনষ্ট হতে পারে।আরো একটি বিষয় উল্লেখ করতে হয়, খাদেমুলের নির্দেশিত ব্যবস্থাপত্র পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের আদিবাসী সংস্কৃতির সাথে সংগতিপূর্ণ নয়।ভূমি জরিপ করা হলে আদিবাসীদের প্রথাগত ভূমি হতে বিতারণের আরো এক নতুন যুগ সূচিত হবে।দুঃখ হবে চিরস্থায়ী। বিচারপতি (অবঃ) গোলাম রাব্বানীর ভাষায়, “সমতলভূমিতে মাঠ জরিপ শেষে ইংরেজ আমলে তৈরি রেকর্ডের মতো ভূমি কমিশন কর্তৃক পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে তেমন রেকর্ড করা ন্যায়ত কিংবা আইনত অসিদ্ধ এবং তেমন করার উদ্যোগ নিলে আদিবাসীদের দুঃখ-যাতনা স্থায়ী হয়ে যাবে” (কালের কন্ঠ, ১৬ আগস্ট) ।

তাই আদিবাসী নেতাদের উচিত হবে সরকার তথা খাদেমুলের ব্যবস্থাপত্র ঘৃণাভরে প্রত্যাখান করা। খাদেমুলের সাথে কাজ করতে না পারলে তাকে ‘বাই বাই’ বলা উচিত।

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Of Constitutional Recognition for the Adivasis in Bangladesh

Like other countries of the world, the adivasis of Bangladesh celebrated the 9th August, the international day of the world’s indigenous peoples, with a theme on ‘the right to culture and identity’. The national dailies in Bangladesh published news features and analyses into the theme with due importance. At different seminars and workshops, the adivasi leaders raised a suite of demands; however, the demand of constitutional recognition has gained momentum over all of them. Although all leaders have raised voices for constitutional recognition, we are yet to be clarified of a few questions. Will the adivasi issue get priority on the list of constitutional amendments? How does the amendment look like? Is it through revision to the existing clauses or adding new clauses to the constitution? Do the adivasi leaders have a common understanding of what ‘rights for the adivasis’ could be incorporated into the constitution, while amending it?

A meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on indigenous affairs chaired by Rashed Khan Menon, MP (middle).
Photo by Abhilash Tripura
No one can deny the fact that the list of the adivasis’ problems is long. Correspondingly the demand list is too. But all demands invariably will not be accommodated in the constitution. Given this reality, I would propose the adivasi leaders to put the constitutional recognition on the top of their priority action list during the AL-led grand alliance government’s tenure. To me, the attainment of constitutional recognition will largely depend on fulfilling the three interrelated hypotheses, which must be considered by the adivasi leaders. First, despite the parliament has the sovereign power in making laws, the constitutional recognition for the adivasis will depend on the very will of the prime minister. Hence, her consent is the first and foremost necessary. Second, the adivasi leaders must have a common understanding and consensus on what rights could be proposed to the government; and third, a strong mass people’s opinion has to be formed through making advocacy with the supportive elements including the special parliamentary body on constitutional amendment and the parliamentary caucus on indigenous issues. But the tough question is: who will ring the bell? Obviously it is the adivasi leaders, who must take the gauntlet up first.

According to the sources of different dailies, the government already has constituted a special parliamentary body on constitutional amendments with the deputy leader of the house Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair. This body is expected to start its works without delay in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgement over the fifth constitutional amendment. It is not clear yet whether the parliamentary body will consider the adivasis’ issues other than the court’s findings and observations.

As concerns the first hypothesis, we can infer a thesis from the present Bangladesh political culture that the inclusion of constitutional recognition for the adivasis in the parliamentary body’s amendment agenda will categorically depend on the prime minister’s ‘yes’ or ‘no’. At this backdrop, all adivasi leaders, who I refer to are the five elected adivasi MPs from AL, CHT Regional Council, three Hill District Councils (HDCs) and three Circle chiefs, regardless of their political affiliation or ideological stance, have to agree on only one issue - constitutional recognition for the adivasis. They must work together to convince the prime minister into her saying ‘yes’ to this issue. At the same time, they must make concerted efforts to draw support for the issue from the special parliamentary body on constitutional amendments; the parliamentary caucus on indigenous issues; the cabinet members and leaders of the opposition, who are supportive to the adivasi cause.

It is also noteworthy that simply the prime minister’s or the special parliamentary body’s good intention will not work well. Hence, to achieve the goal of constitutional recognition will largely depend upon the well-prepared homework by the adivasi leaders.

Thus the second hypothesis stipulates that the adivasi leaders first have to do own homework. During the homework, they have to prioritise their demands. Obviously there is a long list of demands that include a roadmap for implementation of the CHT Accord; recognition as adivasi in lieu of ‘small ethnic groups’ (khudro nrigosthi); the rights to language, culture and traditional lands; reservation of seats for the three constituencies in the CHT as well as the local government councils, where the larger adivasis population lives; formation of a national commission on adivasi affairs; and a separate land commission for the adivasis in the plain regions. But the big challenge lies ahead of them is how to get these demands incorporated into the constitution? Given the long ‘wish list’, the adivasi leaders must be strategic in placing the demands to the special parliamentary body, whether it is making the amendments or revisions to the existing clauses or adding new ones to the constitution. It is high time for them to agree on ‘what rights’ will be proposed under the rubric of ‘constitutional recognition’.

In defining the strategies, the adivasi leaders might consider the example of the Indian constitution, which applied a three-pronged strategy to ensure the rights of the Scheduled Tribes (ST). These strategies are 1) protective arrangements which provide the ‘tribals’ with reserved seats in the parliament as well as local government councils, and the minority commission to protect the interests of the minority people; 2) affirmative actions that guarantee the tribal people’s rights to have access to education and employment; and 3) development resources. Under this strategy provision, the Indian government is obliged to earmark a special allocation of its national budget for the development of ‘backward’ areas.

In Bangladesh, we have got ‘affirmative action’ provisions under the clauses 28 & 29 of the constitution, but they suffer from clarity. On the other hand, the successive Bangladeshi governments did not make any laws or policies to elaborate those clauses in favour of its adivasis. Hence, it is imperative for the adivasi leaders to analyse these affirmative clauses in order to make them more favourable for the adivasis. To be more realistic in setting strategies, they must consult the constitution experts. Another aspect of the Bangladesh constitution is also notable that it does not have any provisions on the protective arrangements and development resources exclusively for the adivasis. Therefore, to enforce the rights of the adivasis, especially their collective rights over lands and resources, language and culture, and economic development, the constitution must include some provisions with special reference to the adivasi issues. To this effect, the demand for a national commission on indigenous affairs is justifiable. Simultaneously the CHT Accord must be provided with a constitutional safeguard.

The third hypothesis stipulates that the issue of constitutional recognition has to be recognised as ‘national responsibility’ not only by the adivasi leaders, but also by the ruling party Awami League and its alliances such as the Jatiya Party (JP) and the leftist parties. If the ruling party and its alliances do not feel of such responsibility, all cries for constitutional recognition by the adivasi leaders will end up to ‘wild-goose chase’. As such, the adivasi leaders must make all out efforts to draw supports from the ruling party and its alliances for constitutional recognition. Yet there are challenges ahead, as many of the ruling party’s law-makers including civil-military bureaucrats are unaware of indigenous issues or they do have prejudice against the adivasis. It is needless to explain that these civil-military bureaucrats do have more influence over the policy-making process. The political bureaucrats sometimes cannot overlook their views. Keeping this reality into account, the adivasi leaders must focus on launching multi-level ‘diplomacy’ with different political actors, civil-military bureaucrats and relevant stakeholders towards creating a congenial and favourable atmosphere rather than showing a political gimmick in the street. At this point, already there exist some favourable forces such as some friendly law-makers and cabinet members within the ruling party and the parliamentary caucus on indigenous issues headed by the progressive leftist leaders like Rashed Khan Menon MP and Hasanul Huq Inu MP, who are very much supportive to the adivasis. The adivasi leaders could capitalise on their good offices to go ahead with the ‘diplomacy’ program into forming a strong opinion for constitutional recognition; but they must first decide on the strategies collectively. However, the question is: who, among the adivasi leaders and representative organisations, will do what towards fulfilling the afore-mentioned hypotheses?

In response to the afore-mentioned question, I would propose that Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF), as a representative organisation in the whole Bangladesh, must play the role of a vanguard right now. However, to ensure its political legitimacy of representation, and to chalk out a realistic program of actions, it must closely work with the indigenous people’s organisations across the country. To direct the actions into an achievable goal, BAF could consider appointing a ‘working group’ with honourable, acceptable and independent individuals who have expertise on the relevant fields. This working group should be constituted not only with indigenous persons, but also with renowned non-indigenous persons who are more sensitised with the adivasi issues. The working group could be entrusted with specific tasks such as studying the constitution and preparing a framework of ‘what rights’ could be included within the scope of ‘constitutional recognition’. If necessary, the working group could continue dialogues with the relevant stakeholders including the parliamentary bodies like the special body on constitutional amendments, and the parliamentary caucus on indigenous affairs. In addition to the working group, the adivasi leaders could nominate a respectable and impartial person as a ‘goodwill ambassador’, who will act as a bridge between the policy-makers in the government and the opposition party and the adivasi leaders. Thus he or she will help to draw supports for the constitutional recognition by reducing the differences between them. To bring all these ideas into action, BAF should take hold of the steering in the drive of constitutional recognition of the adivasis.

The present government has some three years to go. At this point of time, the adivasi leaders bear in mind that all, whatever they wish to do, have to be accomplished during the present government’s tenure. If they miss the chance, the dream for constitutional recognition likely will never come to true; because no one can guarantee an adivasi friendly government with such absolute majority, as the present government has had it, in the future. Another point to note is that the demand for constitutional recognition of the adivasis is not a brainchild of BAF, PCJSS or UPDF, but it is an aspiration which is a precondition for establishing an inclusive democracy and thereby establishing a just and equitable society in Bangladesh on the whole. Therefore, the common adivasis now long for an ideal situation, where the adivasi leaders regardless of their political ideology or political affiliation with AL, BNP, PCJSS or UPDF, and giving up all their egos and personal disliking to each other, speak together in one voice – the “constitutional recognition for the adivasis now or never”. We are eagerly looking forward to their historic role at this juncture of history.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

"SAVE US FROM TOTAL EXTERMINATION" - A NON-STOP REVERBERATION ON MY MIND

Today I was surfing on internet. Suddenly I came across a few photos posted on the Flickr by International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA). Many photos were placed up on there. One of the folders contained photos exclusively from the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. I was clicking on the photos one by one. To my surprise, I got a few photos of jumma refugee camp at Thakumbari, Tripura state of India. These photos were taken by Jenneke Arens. A lot of thanks go to Jenneke for the photos.

By seeing these photos I lost in reverie and got 20 years back to 1990, when I was a refugee boy at Thakumbari refugee camp in Tripura state of India. I clearly remembered and visualised the long sheds, where we refugees spent our days in inhuman condition. I forgot the exact date, but I still remembered that day in 1990, when a team from the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission visited the refugee camps in Tripura. Then I was a boy and student of class eight. The name of our school was 'Thakumbari Refugee Camp Model High School'. Our Headmaster was Akshoy Moni Chakma. I clearly remembered, our Headmaster got us, the students make a dais on the school premises.

Next to the school there was a hostel for students. As there was no environment for study at home (actually congested long sheds), many students (mainly the boys) used to live in the hostel. Shri Monoj (Subesh Kumar Chakma), a PCJSS leader who was posted in Thakumbari refugee camp, was there for full-time to look after the students. I called him Aju (grandfather). I learned English and Bengali grammar with him. He was very fond of me. He encouraged and inspired me a lot to study more and more. He used to explain the motto, "knowledge is power" and many other things.

Shri Monoj acted not only as a hostel super, but also a guardian for the students. He lived in a small bamboo house next to the hostel. He used to help the students with learning. He was a very strict hostel super. Every body had to follow the house-keeping rules very strictly. If anyone, who breached any rule, could not escape a hard punishment. Out of both fear and respect of him, students paid attention to their studies. I strongly believe, no one of the students of that time would forget him.

I clearly remembered, Shri Monoj used to be busy with writing memorandum and the messages for the placards, if any high profile delegation, ministers or dignitaries were due to refugee camp. I visualised that scene that prior to the CHT Commission team's visit to Thakumbari refugee camp, Shri Monoj called in a few students, who had good handwriting, to write the slogans up on the placards. I was one of them. Some wrote the slogans on white paper sheets, while some others fixed those pieces of papers with the bamboo sticks. We wrote many slogans. Still I remembered the slogan I wrote, "SAVE US FROM TOTAL EXTERMINATION" on the pieces of plain paper sheets. Today, the photo below reminded me of the memories of twenty years back. That time, I did not understand the meaning of 'extermination'. So, I had to consult a dictionary to get the meaning of it. Since then I have never forgot this word.

jumma children in Thakumbari refugee camp holding placards:"save us from total extermination",
"save humanity in CHT", Tripura state, India, photo: Jenneke Arens, IWGIA (1990).
On the day when the CHT Commission visited Thakumbari refugee camp, we the students along with other mass people stood in queues on two sides of the road. There were long queues. Children greeted the CHT Commission team in a traditional way of greetings by folding two hands (see the photo below).

jumma children greeting the CHT Commission in Thakumbari refugee camp
photo: Jenneke Arens, IWGIA (1990).
I can still visualise the faces of people. There was so much ethusiasm among refugees that 'foreigners' were coming to see the situation on the spot; what a sub-human life the refugees were leading in the camps. They had an expectation that those foreigners would put up the sufferings of refugees to the 'world community'. They had an expectation that the 'world community' would come forward to rescue the refugees, and indigenous jumma people from the clutch of oppression by the Bangladesh army and the Bengali settlers in the CHT of Bangladesh. The placard reads, "REPEAL DISTRICT COUNCIL IN CHT". The then military-backed Ershad government introduced the Local Government Council for three hill districts in 1989 against the will of the CHT people; while PCJSS opposed the Local Government Council. In this backdrop, there were high level of tensions, and conflicts across the whole CHT. Indigenous people were displaced in thousands. Many of them were compelled to take refuge in Tripura state of India. There was a strong demand for cancellation of the local government council system. 

In the eye of my mind, I still can see the scene of the meeting held on the refugee camp high school premises between the CHT Commission team and Jumma Refugee Welfare Association led by Upendra Lal Chakma, former MP. On behalf of the refugees, Akshoy Moni Chakma, Headmaster of the Thakumbari Refugee Camp Model High School read out the memorandum to the CHT Commission; while Upendra Lal Chakma spoke on the situation of the CHT. People gathered there in thousands on the school premises. We, the students of the high school were also present. I did not understand English that much. I did not understand what Upendral Lal Chakma said in his speech, except a few words and sentences. I understood one few sentences, which Upendra Lal Chakma uttered emotionally, "we the jumma people are on the verge of total extermination"; "Save us from total extermination." That day, I did not understand English that much, but I got inspired from Upendra Lal Chakma to learn English.  

Late Upendra Lal Chakma, former MP and Chairman of the Jumma Refugee Welfare Association,
Photo: Japan CHT Committee.
Upendra Lal Chakma is no more in this world, but his leadership role for the greater interest of the jumma refugees should never be blurred. He will be remembered by jumma refugees with due respect for good. 

Today, by seeing the photos on IWGIA's Flickr, I turned to be nostalgic. I was wondering whether anybody had taken photos of the long long sheds (known as shibir, not home), where the jumma refugees spent their days in inhuman condition, which was not worthy for living. At those sheds,  the jumma refugees shed their tears in sorrows and pains. The jumma refugees spent many days and nights with family members by starving, and sometimes half-fed. I saw, many lost their beloved ones there. Those long shibirs now could tell many stories of weal and woes of refugee life. I asked to myself: "did any jumma took snaps of those long shibirs? If anybody did so, would he or she share some photos with us? If I get those photos, I could show them to my future generations; I could tell them the stories and history of being refugee in Tripura state of India. Is there anybody to provide the historical elements for jumma history?     

Today I have remembered again: I lost my home long ago; as of today I am like a refugee, and a homeless person. Still I cannot forget the jumma children's cry, "SAVE US FROM TOTAL EXTERMINATION". 
  

Friday, July 16, 2010

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Support for the 3rd UN Seminar on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples

United Nations Human Rights Council
Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 3rd session
July 12 – 16, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland
Agenda Item 4

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Support for the 3rd UN Seminar on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples
Global Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus Statement presented by
Raja Devasish Roy

I am Devasish Roy, from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh a member-designate to the UNPFii for its term starting in 2011.

Congratulations to you, Mr. Chairperson, on your assumption of chairpersonship. Warm greetings from the Global Indigenous Peoples’ caucus.

The members of the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus participating in the 3rd session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, representing all regions, note with appreciation the report presented here on the 2nd UN Seminar on Treaties Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements held in November 2006 in the territories of the Maskwacis Cree in Alberta Canada.

In particular we want to express our support for its recommendation to hold to a 3rd United Nations Seminar on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples, with the support and cooperation of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. We note with appreciation the invitation of the Maori of Aotearoa (New Zealand) in this regard. In this way, important advances can continue to be made regarding implementation, consideration of developments and good practices, and implications of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the UN General Assembly. This includes the growing endorsement of the Declaration, including by UN member states that had voted against, or had abstained from voting, during the adoption of the Declaration by the General Assembly.

The Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus takes this opportunity to affirm its support for the recommendations contained in the final report of the UN Study on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Populations [E/CN.4/Sub. 2/1999/20] by Special Rapporteur Dr. Miguel Alfonso Martinez. We look forward to continued work to advance their implementation in partnership with States and the UN system.

However, we also take this opportunity to state that we do not necessarily agree with certain provisions contained in the body of this report under the category of “Some Key Points of Departure”, in which the validity of the claims of ‘indigenousness’ by peoples within Asia and Africa were questioned. If I just add now, in my personal capacity, that this matter was raised by indigenous participants from Asia, Africa, Arctic, North America and other regions at the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1998 and at the first expert seminar on the subject in 2003.

I return, Mr. Chairperson to the statement of behalf of the caucus:

We again affirm the validity, soundness and relevance of the recommendations contained in this report. However, we wish to put on record the right to self-identify of the Indigenous Peoples of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and all other regions. Equal application of the rights of indigenous peoples of all regions, including Indigenous Peoples in Asia and Africa, is vital to take forward the process of implementing Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements on a global level.

Important advances have taken place in the international arena since the completion of this report including the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the growing participation of indigenous peoples’ delegations, from Africa, Asia and other regions of the world in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in other UN and international fora including as expert members.

Mr Chairperson,

The development of human rights law is progressive. This is an underlying principle of international human rights law, as is the universal application of such rights without any form of discrimination.

The Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus affirms the importance of the continued work on the matter of Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements for all Indigenous Peoples as well as for States and the UN System, based on the aforesaid Treaty Study but also looking forward in the light of new developments and understandings from that same perspective of progressive development of international human rights law.

We anticipate that the 3rd Seminar will be an important opportunity for all of us to advance this work. We look forward to discussing the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples pertaining to implementation of Treaties, Agreements and other Constructive Arrangements. Also of particular interest for Indigenous Peoples of all regions will be discussions on the development of frameworks for negotiation, redress, restitution and conflict resolution, based on the affirmation in the preamble of the Indigenous Peoples’ Declaration that [I QUOTE]“treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements, and the relationship they represent, are the basis for a strengthened partnership between indigenous peoples and States” [UNQUOTE].

Thank you Mr. Chairman

Indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
EXPERT MECHANISM ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE, GENEVA, THIRD SESSION
12-16 July, 2010

Agenda Item 3:
Study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making
Statement by Devasish Roy, Chakma Chief (Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh: devasish59@yahoo. com) on behalf of the

A s i a I n d i g e n o u s P e o p l e s C a u c u s
Mr. Chairperson,

Congratulations to you on your chairpersonship and warm greetings to all. Let me start by thanking the members of the Expert Mechanism, particularly the lead authors, EMRIP members John B. Henriksen and Jannie Lasimbang, for their well-researched, analytical and substantive work in the Progress Report (A/HRC/EMRIP/ 2010/2). We agree with the contents of the report, which seeks promote the decision-making rights of indigenous peoples. We also commend the work of the Secretariat (A/HRC/EMRIP/ 2010/3) particularly where they draw our attention to the general comments and recommendations adopted by several UN treaty bodies with regard to the right of indigenous peoples in decision-making.

Through this intervention, we would like to draw your attention to four specific areas of indigenous peoples’ role in decision-making, some of which have been mentioned in the concerned reports, and in Special Rapporteur James Anaya’s address to the Forum yesterday, and in several of his other engagements and communications. These are indigenous peoples’ role in: (i) national constitution- making; (ii) the electoral process; (iii) through their own traditional and other institutions and representatives; and (iv) state executive support to these roles. We reiterate that these rights emanate from the right to self-determination of peoples, which right the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples clarifies beyond any that, that it applies equally to indigenous peoples, whether or not the state in which the indigenous peoples live ratified the two human rights covenants of 1966 (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) or not.

INDIGENOUS ROLE IN CONSTITUTION- MAKING

One distinguishing feature of indigenous peoples worldwide is the historical process of denial of their role in national constitution- making (and to a lesser degree, in other law-making and policy-making processes). Apart from some notable exceptions in Latin America, and recently, in Nepal, most national constitutions the world over either contain no provisions proposed by indigenous peoples, and if they do contain some, these largely concern relatively mundane matters. This is a continuous and continuing challenge for indigenous peoples and governments. If the modern nation state is compared to a house, then the concerned national constitution could be regarded as the architectural plan. Now if we are to add new rooms to such a house, to accommodate us, we can only do that if the existing plan can accommodate the new rooms. Otherwise, we will be only moving the furniture around or have to sleep in the verandah. Thus, it is vital that indigenous peoples are provided fair and substantive opportunity to help re-write the national constitutions in an inclusive manner, taking the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a basis with guidance from other international human rights norms and standards. Only then will the playing field be a little more level and democracy and participation more meaningful.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ ROLE IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

Despite some advances made in indigenous peoples’ role in the electoral process in several countries, there are an equal or larger number of situations where indigenous peoples’ role in the political process has become even more marginal than before. Even in the situations where indigenous peoples’ populations constitute a substantive part of an electoral constituency (which is not the case for most indigenous peoples), majoritarian orientations of political parties’ priorities and the domination of money, muscle and numbers vitiate against indigenous persons being elected. Even where they are elected, they are often subjected to pressure from party hierarchies and prevented from playing a substantive role in the decision-making process. This also happens in countries with large indigenous populations, including in Latin America, and in South and Southeast Asia. It is therefore crucial that safeguards for indigenous participation and reserved seats in elective institutions are introduced or retained and strengthened (such as those as in Aotoroa-New Zealand and Northeast India).

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DECISION-MAKING IN MAINSTREAM POLITICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES THROUGH THEIR OWN TRADITIONAL AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES

In the countries where indigenous peoples’ traditional and other institutions have been and continue to be de-recognized by the state, their situation of marginality in decision-making is even sharper (such as in several parts of South, Southeast and East Asia). It is therefore vital that traditional and other non-elected indigenous structures be formally recognized in mainstream local and national decision-making processes in addition to providing appropriate avenues for electoral representation bearing in mind the difficulties and disadvantages faced by indigenous peoples in the electoral process.

STATE SUPPORT FOR DECISION-MAKING IN HYBRID OR OTHER STATE-INDIGENOUS DECISION-MAKING INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSES

While it is vital that indigenous peoples’ internal decision-making processes are protected, strengthened and fostered, it is equally vital to ensure that indigenous leaders’ and other representatives’ role in decision-making processes have the full and formal support of the legislative, judicial and executive arms of the governments of the states in which they live. This should include support to (i) the solely indigenous-membered institutions, (ii) indigenous and non-indigenous “hyrbrid” institutions and (iii) non-indigenous membered state institutions that provide substantive consultative roles to indigenous peoples that give indigenous peoples a real choice to provide or withhold consent, adhering to the right and principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

Thank you, Chairperson.

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