IPs Recognition: Bangladesh wipes out the word “indigenous” from tourism Billboards

During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 the government of Bangladesh took up a number of steps to promote the country's tourism sector. One of the steps includes promotion of the indigenous peoples of Chittagong Hills Tracts (CHT) to attract tourists. In this respect, large billboards showing the indigenous women in traditional dresses with the caption “Smiling Indigenous Women of Chittagong Hill-Tract” were put up in important places including in the airports.

The other day, while scrolling down my Facebook wall I have noticed a photograph of a billboard posted by a friend which shows the disappearance of the word “indigenous.” Now the billboard reads “Women of Chittagong Hill-Tract”.  The words “Smiling Indigenous” have been wiped out by the government. This billboard is reported to be displayed at one of the airports. Similarly, it can be presumed that the word indigenous may have been erased in all other similar billboards.

Courtesy: http://mukto-mona.com/bangla_blog/?=23518
The Billboard Before

The Billboard now
Courtesy: Chakma Voice (Facebook)

This reflects the government’s growing unwillingness to recognize the Jumma population of the country as indigenous.  

The Jumma populations of Bangladesh are distinct from the mainstream population and have been demanding recognition as “indigenous.” However, they are not recognized as indigenous peoples. The 15th Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh identifies the Jumma population as ‘Bengalees’. The Government even denied existence of indigenous people in Bangladesh before the United Nations. Ironically, the Jumma populations have been identified and referred to as “indigenous” in the official documents for more than a century. There was no objection then about its use and application. In fact, the incumbent Prime Minister had even referred these communities as indigenous in her messages on international indigenous day.

This is nothing but to deny them their rights. Across the world, indigenous peoples suffer from discrimination, exclusion and marginalization. As a result they face great hardship in maintaining and developing their own models of development. Indigenous peoples are different from the mainstream population. They have their own distinct and unique cultures and views. Similarly, their needs and aspirations for the future may be different from the mainstream population. Therefore it is imperative to recognize and protect their rights, both individual and collective, for their development.

But, instead of recognizing and protecting the indigenous population, the government has made its anti-indigenous policies quite clear. It is common knowledge that human rights violations, discrimination, land grabbing and denial of rights against the indigenous Jumma peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh are rampant and continuing.

The wiping out of the word “indigenous” from the billboard show that the government is hell-bent on wiping out the ethnic identity of the Jumma population and to deny them rights. To make its anti-indigenous position more reverberating and perceptible, the government can do anything even to the extent of being look like a fool. The wiping out of the word “indigenous” shows that the government has lost its rationality and logic.

I would like to bring to the kind notice of the government of Bangladesh that the billboards were put up during the Cricket World Cup held last year. The world cup was over and in fact these billboards have become outdated and required to be taken off as a whole. It is understandable if the government is so poor that it could not afford to put up new billboards for the tourism ministry, hence, still using these outdated billboards to attract tourists to the country. However, at best it could have erased the words “ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and its Logo” which are still there in the revised billboards and not the word “indigenous”.

Your hatred towards the indigenous population of the CHT and the word “indigenous” are no longer state secrets. Bangladesh is a nation and at least do not look silly in the eyes of the tourists. The cricket world cup is long over. Wake up from your slumber!

NHRC directs Arunachal Govt. to compensate a victim of police brutality

In a case of police brutality, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on March 15, 2012 directed the State government of Arunachal Pradesh to pay a compensation of Rs. 75,000 to a victim who was tortured by the India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) jawans in September 2010.

The NHRC had received a complaint from Suhas Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights, a Delhi-based human rights organization, stating that the victim, Khya Sonam Tara was tortured by the IRBn jawans at Dewana Hotel Tinali area in Seppa, East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh on September 15, 2010. The victim, who was a teacher in a government school, was on his way to pay his electricity bill when he was stopped by the IRBn jawans for not wearing helmet and was subjected to torture in full public view. As a result, the victim sustained serious injuries in his body requiring him to be hospitalised.

After finding three IRBn jawans identified as Constables. Ngamwang Tekwa, Logan Chinyang and Tiro Lama guilty of physically assaulting the victim, the NHRC issued a show cause notice vide its proceeding dated 23.5.2011 under section 18(a)(i) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to the state government as to why the Commission should not recommend monetary relief for the victim.

In response to the show cause notice, Joint Secretary (Home), Government of Arunachal Pradesh vide his letter dated 12.7.2011 informed the Commission that a magisterial inquiry in the incident has been ordered and the police investigation is also still in progress and, hence, monetary relief may not be recommended by the Commission.

Taking a tough stand, the NHRC rejected the contention of the state government. The NHRC observed that “As to the investigation by the police, the Commission is not bound to wait for its completion, as a criminal trial would only decide on the criminality aspect of the case. The material before the Commission is sufficient to hold, prima facie, that the IRBn Personnel violated the human rights of the victim by assaulting him in full public view and causing him grievous injuries. Consequently, the State cannot escape its liability to compensate the victim.”

Accordingly, the NHRC recommended the state government of Arunachal Pradesh, through its Chief Secretary, to pay a compensaton of Rs. 75,000 to Khya Sonam Tara and submit compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks.

BONO BHANTE'S PARINIRVANA By Chakma Raja Devasish Roy-Wangza

Many of you are perhaps aware of the parinirvana of our most revered guru, Ven'ble Sadhanananda Mahathera (Bono Bhante), at Square Hospital, Dhaka on 30 January, 2012 at 2-57 pm. I had written earlier about the Bhante's treatment. Now I wish to share with you some snapshots of the last day of this great teacher's life and the main events of the following day, including the motor journey from Dhaka to Rangamati.

SQUARE HOSPITAL: 30 JANUARY, 2012

The medical practitioners, nurses, technical and administrative officials and staff, took the utmost care of the Bhante. Buddhists of Dhaka, Chittagong and the Hill Tracts had donated generously to pay for the helicopter ride, medical expenses and travel arrangements. The Bhante's visiting disciples were housed and fed. The Upaska-Upasika Parishad members worked day and night to arrange logistics, as did Buddhist residents of Dhaka. Hundreds of people thronged the reception area, paying homage to the Bhante's disciples, discussing among themselves, and even joining a brief sutra session led by the visiting monks, while several non-Buddhists folded their hands in solidarity and respect.

Most Highest Holiness Ven. Sadhanananda Mahathera (Bono Bhante)

As the last moments were approaching, it was decided that some of the close disciples of the Bhante should be present, chanting sutras. Some of us joined them later, in the Intensive Care Unit room, bowing to the remains of the greatest Buddhist teacher of the country in centuries. A few monks wept silently. The more senior ones kept their composure, exercising equanimity (upekkha). The Upasaka-Upasika Parishad's Senior Vice-President, Gautam Dewan, a few senior monks and I had to go away to my Dhaka home, nearby in Dhanmondi, to discuss plans on where and how to keep vigil for the night, and to take our guru's remains to Rangamati, the next day. Meanwhile, the devotees' crowds had swelled at the hospital, spilling on to the front entrance and the main road, as we were told later. The indulgence and patience of the hospital authorities and other patients were more than commendable. It was the perfect example of karuna (related to Metta, Mudita and Upekkha of the Four Brahma Viharas or Sublime Abodes).

Of course, we could have planned all the details of the post-Parinirvana arrangements beforehand, but didn't do so. On the one hand, no one, including the bhikkhus (monks), had any experience of dealing with the remains of an enlightened being, an Arahat or Sravaka Buddha. On the other hand, some of us were perhaps subconsciously following the common practice of not preparing for undesirable events - in this case the Parinirvana of the Bhante, that we hoped would not happen - lest its incidence be hastened by our conduct!), despite medical opinion to the contrary.

The consensual opinion of the senior monks, Parishad members and some of the upasakas-upasikas present, was to keep the remains in the hospital morgue - which was refrigerated - and to take them to a field (larger than any monastery ground in Dhaka) the following day, so that devotees and followers could pay their last respects to their Kalyanamitta (kolyanmitro). A few monks and several lay buddhists kept vigil outside the mortuary room. Some took much-needed rest, after having spent several nights with little or no sleep.

ASSEMBLY AT KOLABAGAN FIELD: 31 JANUARY

The Bhante's remains were brought in a refrigerated van a little after eight in the morning to a field to the southwest of Kolabagan Bus Station. The Bhante's remains were taken out and laid on a raised dias roofed by a marquee, flanked by disciples of the Bhante and monks from the Kamalapur and Sakyamuni monasteries in the city. An estimated three to five thousand people filled up the field, coming single-file to offer flowers and do homage. This included Barua and hill (Jumma) Buddhists staying in Dhaka and Jumma employees of garments and other factories in Savar. The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina and the Leader of the Opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia, sent representatives with wreathes. Around 1030 am or so the remains were taken to Square Hospital, for treatment, to help preserve them. 

MOTORCADE JOURNEY TO RANGAMATI: 31 JANUARY

A little before 1 pm, the motorcade, containing about ten cars, started towards Rangamati, and reached around 1 am, the following day (1 February). We did not encounter a single road jam, and none of the vehicles had engine trouble. An unprecedented experience for many. I have travelled on this highway scores of times, including with police escort, but I don't recall a single instance of travelling jam-free.

Several people noticed this and remarked upon it. Prior to departure, those gathered in the front of the hospital and in the underground car park paid their last homage. Women outnumbered men; several of them broke out into tears or tried to stifle them. Led by a police escort vehicle, the motorcade included several of the Bhante's disciples in different cars, the CHT Affairs State Minister, Dipankar Talukdar, MP, and the Parishad's Senior Vice President, Gautam Dewan, with whom I shared a car.

The first group of people we saw met on the highway, that were waiting to pay their respects, was near Kachpur. Most of them were Jumma, probably employees of the garments industries in Savar and nearby places. The next group was near Comilla, mostly Baruas and some Jummas. We then stopped near the Nurjahan Restaurant near Comilla, again, mostly local Baruas and several Jummas, offering wreaths, chanting Dhamma slogans and paying homage. After this, we stopped for refreshments at the Highway Inn near Chauddagram, and even here, some devotees had gathered. Stops after that included at Feni bye-pass (Jumma students, government employees), at least two places at Miraserai (Baruas), Bhatiary (Jummas from the Chittagong EPZ), Boro Dighir Par, near the Chittagong-Rangamati highway (Jummas and Baruas), Chittagong University Gate (Jumma & Barua students), Hathazari (mostly Baruas and some Jummas), Raozan and Gohira (Baruas), Betbunia (Sialbukya; Chakma and Marma), Ghagra and Manikchari (Chakma, Marma and Tanchangya).

According to the agreed schedule, the journey was to have started at 10 am, and therefore some of the groups on the highway had been waiting from early afternoon onwards, for hours. Nightfall had crept in before we reached Miresai. At the university gate students put lighted candles on the edge of the road as a mark of respect. Several held candles, which made a great spectacle, somewhat carnival-like, yet solemn, adding a touch of warmth and security to a an atmosphere that would otherwise have seemed gloomy and desolate.

The most touching snapshots in my memory include the Chittagong University students lighting candles, old women and men with insufficiently warm clothing, in their stooping frames in the biting cold, young children chanting "sadhu" from their parents' shoulders and arms (which they might not remember as they grew up), the tear-strained faces of countless people, especially women and girls, which reminded me of orphans having recently lost their parents.

In our car, which I shared with Gautam Dewan and Parishad member, Rintu Chakma, we had to answer incessant phone calls of people requesting us to stop or seeking information on the progress of the motorcade. We were surprised at how quickly these people had acquired our cellphone numbers. Perhaps this demonstrates how people's spontaneous information networks sometimes work more efficiently than more structured ones.

RECEPTION AT BETBUNIA & RANGAMATI

At Betbunia, the motorcade was met by a stream of vehicles, including vans, pick-up trucks, "CNG" scooters and motorbikes. We counted at least 30 or so large vehicles and around 70 CNGs. The motorbike number was probably well above one hundred, including some that carried women. My son, Tribhuvan Aryadev, came in a pick-up. Some monks had come with cars and vans. From here onwards, the motorbikes led the way, somewhat slowing the journey. The highway being winding, those at the head could not see the tail of the motorcade, which stretched for a kilometre or more. The combined light from the vehicles' headlights added a moonlight atmosphere. Arches and banners had been put up at several places, including at Ghagra, Manikchari and Rangamati bearing photographs of the Bhante and Dhamma sayings.

In Rangamati town, senior monks from the Rajvana Vihar waited at the entrance of the Vocational Institute Road near College Gate. They led the motorcade on foot up to the main field of Rajvana Vihar where the annual Kathin Civar Daan and Birthday ceremonies for the Bono Bhante are held. The CNGs and motorbikes had to stop at the highway junction near Rangamati Government College.

GATHERING AT THE RAJVANA VIHAR FIELD

At the Rajvana Vihar field, thousands had gathered. We joined the assembly to pay our respects to the Bhante, who lay in state at the centre, inside the refrigerated van. Senior political leaders and government officials joined in. After sutras and a sermon from a senior monk, I was asked to speak, although this was not scheduled. I spoke in Chakma, as is customary at Rajvana Vihar. Parts of the events were projected live on a large screen, perhaps the first such use of technology at the Rajvana Vihar. I urged all to maintain unity and to show their respect to the Bhante by following and practicing his teachings on Metta, non-violence and a moral way of life. I referred to the Mahasatipatthana Sutta, often recommended as a "must read" by the Bono Bhante, which focuses on the transitoriness of human life by providing examples of the decay and transformation of the flesh, bones and other parts of the human body. Much as we might be reminded of the Bono Bhante through his mortal remains, and however much we try to preserve them (which is a strong public demand and the Parishad is providing the highest priority to it), I feel that it is more important to recall his teachings as his greatest legacy and act upon them, with diligence.

Source: Facebook 

Election Commission’s special drive for universal adult franchise fails to reach Chakmas

By Tejang Chakma

On 25 January 2012, the National Voters' Day (NVD) was observed throughout the country. The NVD was started last year to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India and also to increase the participation of the voters, the youth in particular, in the democratic set up.

The NVD has already become a success with the registration of about 3.83 crore new electors across the country as on 1 January 2012. Most importantly, 1.11 crore are in the age group 18-19. However, the success was not that easy. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had to take up a nationwide special campaign to reach out to the newly eligible (18+) electors and register them in the just concluded revision of electoral roll with 1 January 2012 as the qualifying date. The Chief Electoral Officers of all States/Union Territories were instructed by the ECI to enroll every youth who has attained the age of 18.

Despite the success, the Election Commission’s special campaign failed to reach the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh. During the special revision carried out for the purpose, only few new electors have been enrolled in the four Chakma-Hajong inhabited Assembly segments of 14-Doimukh, 46-Chowkham, 49-Bordumsa-Diyun and 50-Miao.

The scenario is worst in the Diyun-Bordumsa segment with very low enrollment. As per the Electoral Roll, 2012 which was published on 5 January 2012 only 11 new eligible Chakma and Hajong electors have been enrolled during the special drive. This is despite the fact that majority of the Chakmas and Hajongs are concentrated in Diyun-Bordumsa segment having nine polling stations namely 30-Diyun IB, 31-Bijoypur, 32-Gautampur, 33-Jyotipur, 34-Dumpani, 35-Upper Mudoi Deep, 36-Jyotsnapur, 37-Dumpathar and 38-Haripur.

It is pertinent to mention that all eligible Chakma and Hajong voters have been submitting claims for inclusion of names in the electoral rolls. In 2003, Election Commission ordered Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in the Chakma and Hajong inhabited constituencies. However, majority of the claims were rejected. Finally, names of about 1500 Chakmas and Hajongs were accepted. Subsequently, many of these names were deleted. This is clear from the Electoral Roll, 2012 which shows that presently there are only 1087 (including the 11 additions) electors in Diyun-Bordumsa segment. Previously, names of as many as 81 electors were deleted. See the table below for detail.

Polling station	Addition	Previously deleted	Present Total
Diyun IB	Nil	Nil	14
Bijaypur-1-3	2	12	64
Gautampur	2	27	316
Jyotipur	NIL	11	192
Dumpani	4	8	113
Upper Modoi Deep	Nil	Nil	3
Jyotsnapur	Nil	8	144
Dumpathar	Nil	1	131
Madhupur	3	13	110

The inclusion of only 11 new electors is another instance of the failure of the Election Commission of India to ensure the enrollment of names of eligible Chakma and Hajong voters in the electoral rolls. This is nothing new considering that the ECI continues to fail to enforce its own orders/guidelines including for the special campaign which have been violated by its state level electoral officials.

There is no doubt that the mission of Election Commission has been successful with more and more youth participating. But what is more important is that not just the youth but all eligible persons from all section of the society are enrolled across the country. It is high time the Election Commission of India rein in its electoral officials who violate the orders/guidelines to make universal adult franchise a complete reality.

My Letter to the Editor of Arunachal Times

Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal

Dear Editor,

This is in reference to the Chakma Hajong refugees in Arunachal.

The question of Chakmas from other states coming to Arunachal Pradesh for “better livelihood” does not arise. In Mizoram, Chakmas have an Autonomous District Council (ADC) established under the sixth schedule to the Constitution of India where they have political autonomy, jobs, and social security. Will the Chakmas of Mizoram having ADC of their own migrate to Arunachal Pradesh where their brethren even do not have legal status? In Tripura, Chakmas are far better off than Chakmas of Mizoram. They have been selected in Tripura Civil Service, Tripura Police Service, medical services and prospered in all fields. It is undisputable fact that Chakmas of other states as citizens of India enjoy more rights, privileges and have better economic and livelihood opportunities than their brethrens of Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, the question of infiltration of thousands of Chakmas into Arunachal Pradesh so as to result in “abnormal increase in the population to manifolds” is out of question. It is only a figment of imagination.

It is pertinent to mention that the special survey (2011) on the Chakmas and Hajongs conducted by the state government specifically for the purpose of the High Power Joint Committee has already put to rest the popular debate on the alleged rise in their population. As per the survey, the present population of the Chakmas and Hajongs in the state is around 53,800. I do not think the figure, in 47 years, is alarming and abnormal. In fact, the decadal growth rate of the Chakmas and Hajongs has come down to about 27 percent during 2001-2011 from 31.48 per cent during the 1991-2001 census period.

Yours,

Tejang Chakma

New Delhi

137 DEATH PENALTY IN 2010: - India urged to pledge for the abolition of the death penalty before the United Nations -

New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today while making its submission urged the Government of India (GoI) to pledge for the abolition of the death penalty before the UN Human Rights Council when it comes for examination under the Universal Periodic Review in May 2012. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has drafted the National Report (http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=5212) for submission to the UN Human Rights Council and invited comments from the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) by 20th January 2012.  In its submission, “India’s Draft Universal Periodic Report-II: A Case of Forced Marriage?” (http://www.achrweb.org/UN/HRC/UPRIndia2.pdf), ACHR stated that inviting comments from the CSOs through email or fax is highly inadequate and the GoI must organise a national consultation with the CSOs, the National Human Rights Institutions and parliamentarians before it submits the National Report to the UN Human Rights Council.

“In 2010 alone, death penalty was given to 137 convicts which exposes the hollowness of India’s claim for application of the “rarest of the rare” as the justification for retention of the death penalty. The assurance given by the Government of India to the Government of Portugal for not imposing death penalty to gangster Abu Salem under the 'Rule of Speciality' underlines that death penalty is no longer acceptable as punishment by any civilized society.”  - stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.

In its submission, ACHR stated that human rights situations in India have deteriorated since 2008 when India’s human rights record was examined by the UN Human Rights Council under its Universal Periodic Review in April 2008. A total of 4,034 custodial deaths and 1,836 cases of torture in police custody during 2008-09 to 2010-11 were recorded by the National Human Rights Commission while a total of 740 civilians were killed in disproportionate use of fire-arms by the police from 2008 to 2010 according to the National Crime Records Bureau. A total of 309 cases of extrajudicial killings were recorded by the NHRC during 2007 to 2009.

“These figures do not reflect the actual number as both the National Human rights Commission and National Crime Records Bureau exclude human rights violations committed by the armed forces and the army. The Assam Police in its website claimed that they have killed 129 persons in encounters during January – July 2010.” - further stated Mr Chakma.

On denial of personal liberty, ACHR stated that 2,232 persons were detained under preventive detention laws in 2009 including 835 in Tamil Nadu, 356 in Gujarat, 294 in Uttar Pradesh, 182 in J&K and 143 in Manipur. These figures are miniscule of the actual detention under the preventive detention laws. The Uttar Pradesh Government recently claimed that 1,797 notorious criminals were detained under the National Security Act in the state.

India’s National Report provides only generic information about the legal framework and not the human rights situations and challenges. It fails to state that Jammu and Kashmir does not even a single home for juvenile girls who are detained in the police lock ups and prisons in clear violations of national and international human rights standards. The UN Human Rights Council in its session in April 2008 made 18 recommendations
(http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/161/58/PDF/G0816158.pdf?OpenElement) to the Government of India (GoI). The only recommendation that has been implemented is extending standing invitation to the UN Special Rapporteurs in September 2011 which binds India to allow the Rapporteurs to visit India. While the GoI has recently extended invitations to a number of Special Rapporteurs to visit India prior to the UPR examination in May 2012, it excluded the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture whose request to visit India has been pending since 1993.

The government of India has failed to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture – a commitment made in 2008. Though the Parliamentary Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha adopted the Prevention of Torture Bill on 6 December 2010, the GoI failed to introduce the Bill in the last winter session of parliament.

India further failed to adopt the National Action Plan for Human Rights despite starting the process in 10 July 1998.

Questioning the lack of seriousness of the Government of India, ACHR stated, “The entire exercise of the Government of India submitting its report under the UPR and seeking comments from the CSOs appears to be a case of forced marriage”.  [Ends]

Source: ACHR Press Release dated 19 January 2012, available at:http://www.achrweb.org/press/2012/IND01-2012.html