10/03/2025
GEENEVA: 6 HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS IN EUROPE PROTESTS DEMANDING INDIGENOUS LAND RIGHTS IN CHT.
1, March 2025 : 6 Human Rights Organizations in Europe La Voix des Jummas, La Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, Survival International, ICRA International, Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV), International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs protests and memorandum in Geneva demanding land rights.
On Friday, February 28, the protest was held in front of the United Nations headquarters at the Broken Chair square in Geneva. The memorandum was submitted to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN through Ambassador Tareq Md. Ariful Islam. Additionally, the six organizations called for a prompt and transparent judicial process against the perpetrators of communal attacks on the Jumma people that took place in September-October last year. They also urged the UN to conduct an independent investigation into human rights violations in the region.
The memorandum highlighted that violence against the indigenous Jumma community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is escalating. A joint statement by the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), and the CHT Commission (dated October 8, 2024) reported that on September 18, 2024, a Bengali man was killed in Khagrachari. The next day, on September 19, large-scale violence against the Jumma community erupted.
Without any proper investigation, the blame was placed on the Jumma people, allowing Bengali settler organizations to incite further conflict. The local police chief also made statements that further inflamed the situation. That evening in Dighinala, Jumma indigenous homes were brutally attacked, causing massive destruction. One Jumma individual lost his life as he was unable to escape the violence.
On September 19, 2024, during a peaceful protest in Khagrachari against these attacks, the military intervened and opened fire on unarmed demonstrators around 9 PM. This brutal repression officially resulted in at least three deaths and numerous injuries. The next day, on September 20, 2024, Bengali settlers attacked Jumma youth protesters in Rangamati.
Particularly concerning was the role of security forces during these incidents. Despite their presence at the scene, the military took no action against the armed settlers. This contradicts the government's commitment made on August 25, 2024, to ensure the safety of all citizens, especially indigenous communities.
Further violence broke out in Khagrachari on October 1, 2024, following the death of Sohel Rana, a teacher at Khagrachari Government Technical School and College. In response, Bengali settlers launched widespread attacks on indigenous communities and their businesses. Although the local administration declared an assembly ban by 3 PM, settler-led violence continued until 7:30 PM. The security forces completely failed to prevent these crimes.
On December 24, 2024, the International CHT Commission reported that 17 homes belonging to the Christian Tripura community in Bandarban were burned down. These incidents demonstrate a systematic and ongoing campaign of land grabbing and persecution against indigenous communities.
The situation remained alarming in early 2025. On January 15, 2025, indigenous students protesting peacefully in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) in Dhaka’s Motijheel area were attacked by members of a settler organization called Students for Sovereignty. At least 19 students were injured, 10 of whom had to be hospitalized at Dhaka Medical College Hospital with severe injuries.
On February 22, 2025, in Lama Upazila, Bandarban, plainclothes security personnel arrested land rights movement leader Ringrong Mro. Locals claimed that the arrest was based on a false case filed by a private company, targeting him for his active role in resisting the seizure of 400 acres of indigenous land.
These events violate the government's commitment made on August 25, 2024, to protect the rights and security of all citizens.
The six organizations issued the following demands to the government:
1. Provide appropriate compensation to the victims.
2. Take swift and transparent judicial action against the perpetrators and end the culture of impunity in the CHT.
3. Conduct an independent UN-led investigation into human rights violations and assess the role of military and police forces in these incidents.
4. End Operation Uttoron and withdraw all temporary military camps, except those explicitly designated in the 1997 CHT Accord, restoring full authority to civilian administration.
5. Return land forcibly taken from the Jumma people and resolve all land disputes through the Land Commission as per the CHT Accord.
6. Ensure the full implementation of the 1997 CHT Accord.
Source: Hill Voice
