To
The Secretary-General
The United Nations
The United Nations
Headquarters in New York
New York
Copy for information &
necessary action to:
1. International Court of
Justice, The Hague
2. Ms. Navanethem Pillay, The
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva
3. The Chairperson, UN
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York
4. The President, European
Council, Brussels
5. Mr. Barack Obama, The
President, The United States of America
6. Mr. David Cameroon, The
Prime Minister, The United Kingdom
7. Mr. Jean-Marc Ayrault, The
Prime Minister, France
8. Ms. Angela Merkel,
Chancellor, Germany
9. Amnesty International,
London
10. Human Rights Watch,
Washington.
Sub: Appeal for Justice for
the Families of Victims of Massacres Perpetrated by Bangladeshi Army in CHT
Dear Sir,
WE, the undersigned
representing farmers, daily laborers, businessmen, students, teachers, doctors,
engineers, lawyers, civil and human rights activists, and men and women of the
Jumma indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and supporters of the
CHT cause, would like to draw your kind attention to the subject cited
above.
Since the time of historical
period CHT has been the traditional home to the 11 distinct ethnic groups who
collectively identify themselves as the “Jumma indigenous people”. The Jumma
indigenous people had enjoyed substantial autonomy throughout the British
colonial rule (1860-1947) in the region. In order to reinforce their right to autonomy
and protect them from external demographic invasion the British passed an Act
known as the “Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900” in 1900. With the end
of the British colonial rule, the Indian Sub-Continent emerged into the two
independent sovereign nations—Pakistan and India—in 1947 on the basis of
religion; the first was formed with those provinces or areas where Muslims were
the majority and the second was formed with those provinces or areas where
non-Muslims (Hindus, Buddhists, Christians etc.) were the majority. CHT being a
non-Muslim majority area (98% Buddhists, Hindus and Christians) its people led
by Sneha Kumar Chakma at al joined India on 15 August 1947 with much fanfare.
However, the then Chairman of “Bengal Boundary Commission” Sir Syrill Red
Cliff’s insensible and undemocratic decision declaring CHT to be a part of East
Pakistan (now Bangladesh) led the then Pakistani army to occupy the territory
and liquidate the voice of the locals. East Pakistan emerged as an independent
sovereign nation named “Bangladesh” through a bloody civil war in 1971.
However, CHT continues to be ruled like a colony of Bangladesh till today! The
Jumma indigenous people led by the then Member of Legislative Assembly of
Bangladesh M.N. Larma submitted a memorandum to the then Constitutional
Drafting Committee of the new nation, demanding for recognition of the distinct
identity of the Jumma indigenous people and their right to autonomy in CHT
within the framework of the Constitution. The authority did not consider their
demand; rather, they, as part of the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing policy,
heavily militarized CHT and perpetrated grave human rights violations,
including 13 major massacres, against innocent Jumma indigenous men, women and
children to pave the way for settlement of hundreds of thousands of Muslim
Bengali setters transferred from various parts of Bangladesh in the 1980s and
1990s. It resulted in (1) killings of over 10,000 innocent Jumma men, women and
children; (2) an exodus of some 70,000 Jummas into India as refugee; (3)
hundreds of thousands of Jummas displaced within CHT; and (4) a dramatic change
in the social fabric and demographic composition of CHT. Most regrettably, none
of these massacres was investigated and no Bangladeshi army personnel involved
in these crimes against humanity was brought to justice! The 13 major massacres
perpetrated by Bangladeshi army with complete impunity are, as recorded in http://www.angelfire.com/ab/jumma/massacre.html,
as follows:
1. Kaukhali Massacre,
25.03.1980;
2. Banraibari-Beltali-Belchari
Massacre, 26.06.1981;
3.
Telafang-Ashalong-Gurangapara-Tabalchari-Barnala Massacre, 19.09.1981;
4.
Golakpatimachara-Machyachara-Tarabanchari Massacre, June-August 1983;
5. Bhusanchara Massacre,
31.05.1984;
6. Panchari Massacre,
01.05.1986;
7. Matiranga Massacre, May
1986;
8. Comillatialla-Taindong
Massacre, 18-19.05.1986;
9.
Hirachar-Sarbotali-Khagrachari-Pablakhali Massacres, 8-10 August, 1988;
10. Longadu Massacre,
04.05.1989;
11. Malya Massacre,
02.02.1992;
12. Logang Massacre,
10.04.1992; and
13. Naniachar Massacre,
17.11.1993.
In view of the above, we urge
you to constitute a UN group for an independent investigation into the
massacres noted above in order to ensure justice for the victims of these
massacres--appropriate compensation for the families of victims and appropriate punishment
as per national and international laws for the perpetrators of these
massacres.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Signature