CHT News Today

03/07/2025

2 KNA Commanders Killed in Army Operation in Ruma, Bandarban: ISPR

Two members of the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), including a commander, have been killed in an operation carried out by the Bangladesh Army in the remote hills of Ruma upazila in Bandarban. During the operation, the army recovered three submachine guns (SMGs), a rifle, and ammunition. This was said...

01/07/2025

315 victims of human rights violations in 103 incidents in CHT in 11 months: PCJSS

CHT News Today, 1 July 2025, Rangamati: Today Tuesday (1 July 2025), The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) published a semi-annual report (January-June 2025) on human rights situation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The report signed by Sajib Chakma, Assistant Information and Publicity Secretary of PCJSS states that: Fundamentally, there has been brought in no change or progress in the totality of Human Rights situation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) although the Interim Government led by Dr. Yunus passes 11 months. The army continue to interrupt the implementation process of the CHT Accord in various forms. From January to June 2025, 103 human rights violations were committed by security forces and 315 Jumma people were subjected to human rights violations in these incidents.

The PCJSS's report mentioned, “Fundamentally, there has been brought in no change or progress in the totality of the Human Rights situation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) although the Interim Government led by Dr. Yunus passes 11 months. As there is no initiative to end the existing human rights violations, oppression and deprivation of the Jumma people, so there is no initiative to end these injustices, and no effective and hope-generating initiative to fully implement the CHT Accord, which was signed to resolve the CHT crisis by peaceful and political means.

The implementation status of the Accord shows that two-third sections of the Accord including the core issues have not yet been implemented even passing 27 years last. As though the present Interim Government reconstituted the three Hill District Councils, appointed the Chairman of CHT Development Board and reconstituted the CHT Accord Implementation and Monitiring Committee, but no sincere initiative undertaken to address the unimplemented issues of the Accord, on part of the government is visible. The CHT Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee was though reorganized on 12 January 2025 but no session of the said committee has been held despite passing almost six months. Consequently, the situation of human rights violation in CHT is getting escalated day by day.

It is unfortunate that instead of resolving the CHT crisis through ex*****on of the unimplemented issues of the Accord, the government is persuading fascist policy of laying out wide-ranged militarization to address the CHT crisis invariably. Hence, the CHT Chapter has remained delegated to the military authority. It is by merit of the ‘Operation Uttoron’ (Operation Upliftment), the army have been regulating all the affairs of CHT including the subjects of General Administration, Law & Order, Judiciary and Development sector. This provides the army an unchallengeable access to interrupting the implementation process of the CHT Accord in various forms.

Thus, the government, with a view to nullifying the CHT Accord implementation process and over all, continuing ethnic cleansing, has been making use of all means and ways in association with state machinery, state forces, Muslim Bengali settlers, Islamic radical quarters, domesticated armed terrorist groups, land grabbers of various companies and influential individuals, development engineering, demographic engineering, etc.

From January to June 2025, 103 human rights violations were committed by security forces and law enforcement agencies deployed in the CHT, army-backed armed terrorist groups, communal and fundamentalist groups, Muslim Bengali settlers and land grabbers, and 315 Jumma people were subjected to human rights violations in these incidents. Among them, 49 people were arrested and 30 Mro children were converted to Islam. In addition, at least 300 acres of land were seized by outside companies, influential individuals and settlers.”

Note-worthy that of the 103 incidents that occurred from January to June 2025, 48 were carried out by security forces and law enforcement agencies, resulting in at least 125 people being subjected to human rights violations and patrol operations in 34 villages. Of these, 49 were arrested, including 19 people temporarily detained, and 9 were subjected to false cases.

During the same period, 19 out of 103 incidents were carried out by army-created armed terrorist groups, resulting in 95 individuals and villagers of 5 villages being subjected to human rights violations, including 3 killings. Human rights violations included kidnapping, ransom demands, beatings, killings, gunshot wounds, searches, death threats, money and mobile phone snatching, extortion demands, etc.

During the same period, 21 were committed by Muslim Bengali settlers and land grabbers, resulting in 79 Jumma victims of human rights violations including the conversion of 30 Mro children to Islam, and at least 300 acres of land being seized. Communal tensions and threats have been incited by the Parbatya Chattagram Nagarik Parishad (CHT Citizens’ Council). One of these incidents is the brutal communal attack on indigenous students and masses in Dhaka.

On the other hand, 15 incidents of violence against Jumma women and girls were committed by the Muslim Bengali settlers, Bengali people coming from outside, laborers, and other professional individuals, and at this, 16 women fell prey to human rights violations.

22/06/2025

illegal land grabs & militarization violation of both domestic law & the CHT Accord of 1997: Toni Ch Sangma

The indigenous youth leader of Toni Ch Sangma highlighted the urgent human rights situation faced by Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh.

land dispossession, including illegal land grabbing and militarization (CHT and Plain Land) region, in violation of both domestic law and the CHT Accord of 1997.

of recognition of Indigenous identity and culture, as the term "Adivasi" is still officially denied by the Government

from decision-making processes, including the denial of the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in development projects affecting our territories.

for violence against Indigenous human rights defenders, including threats, arbitrary arrests, and attacks

from national development policies, with limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Recommendations:

the Special Rapporteur: Undertake a country visit to Bangladesh to investigate and report on violations of Indigenous Peoples' rights, especially regarding land, identity, and militarization in the CHT & Plain Lands. Issue a thematic report on the implementation of CHT accords and Indigenous autonomy, using the CHT Accord as a case study.

EMRIP: Provide technical assistance to Bangladesh in developing mechanisms for implementation of the UNDRIP, particularly regarding land rights and FPIC. Include Bangladesh as a priority country for dialogue in EMRIP’s annual thematic studies on participation and self-governance.

the Government of Bangladesh: Establish Separate Land Commission and Ministry for the Plain Land Indigenous Peoples and Fully implement the CHT Accord, including demilitarization and full functioning of the Regional and District Councils. Recognize Indigenous Peoples in the Constitution using the term “Adivasi”, as per international human rights standards. Ensure that all laws, including land laws and development policies, are aligned with UNDRIP and ILO Convention No. 107, which Bangladesh has ratified.

the Human Rights Council and Member States: Urge Bangladesh to cooperate with UN mechanisms, including responding to communications from the Special Rapporteur.

Finally he also called to support the establishment of an independent national mechanism to monitor the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh.

On behalf of the indigenous people of Bangladesh, the statement of Toni Ch Sangma on Agenda Item 5 (d): Human Rights Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Annual review of Progress on the Implementation of General Recommendation No. 39 (2022) at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) on 28 April, 2025.

18/06/2025

18/06/2025

13/06/2025

WATCH Iran retaliates: Iran's Counterstrikes Missile Attack in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel.

08/06/2025

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/death-khyang-woman-475-citizens-demand-judicial-probe-speedy-trial-3913311

A case was filed at Thanchi Police Station on May 6 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000

20/05/2025

WATCH: The Sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Statue Destroyed in Rangamati Sadar.

20/05/2025

CHT Commission Condemns Death of Bawm Youth in Prison Custody and Urgently call for an end to the systematic persecution and violence

On yesterday 19 May 2025, The International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) has condemned the death of Bawm youth in prison custody and called for the end of systematic persecution of Bawm community in a statement signed by three co-chairs respectively Sultana Kamal, Elsa Stamatopoulou and Myrna Cunningham Kain.

The Commission also urges the interim government to ensure four-point recommendations including to release all the innocent Bawm detainees immediately who are not affiliated with KNF, and withdraw all cases against them and end de-facto military rule in the CHT and concrete steps to implement the CHT Accord in full.

The statement states that “the International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) is extremely outraged and saddened to learn about the death of a 29-year-old Bawm youth, Lal Tleng Kim Bawm in prison custody1. Lal Tleng was arrested on 7 April 2024 from Bethel Para in Ruma, Bandarban, and was among 126 Bawm individuals, including 30 women and three children (as young as one and two years old)2, who have been detained for over a year without due process based on unsubstantiated charges that lack transparency or legal justification.

For over two years now, the Bawm community, with a population just over 12,000 has been facing systematic human rights violations and risk of ethnic cleansing due to military crackdowns, attacks by pro-military armed groups, and mass arrests. This systematic persecution has displaced half of their population. 3500-4000 Bawm individuals, one-fourth of the entire community, have been forced to seek refuge in Mizoram State of India, and Chin State of Myanmar, where they are living in extremely precarious and inhumane conditions3. Meanwhile, those who remain face severe restrictions on movement, agricultural trade, and livelihood, which has pushed the entire community into a state of famine. Since the emergence of KNF, reportedly under military patronage which has been published in details by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)5, over 26 Bawm individuals have been killed by security forces and affiliated pro- military groups, including reports of extrajudicial ex*****ons, with victims as young as 13 years old.

Despite repeated appeals from national and international advocates, the crackdown continues, and the imprisoned Bawm individuals have not been released. A delegation of Indigenous leaders from across Bangladesh met with the Chief Adviser Dr. Md. Yunus and Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul in September 2024, and urged the release of innocent Bawm women, children, and others who do not have affiliation with KNF, but to no effect. It is extremely frustrating that the current interim government that stated its strong commitment to protecting minorities while taking charge, has failed to ensure protection of one of the smallest Indigenous groups of Bangladesh. While it has taken steps to hold security personnel accountable for human rights violations under the previous government in other parts of the country, no such action has been taken regarding CHT. No investigation has been initiated into the alleged involvement of security forces in creating and supporting KNF and other armed groups in CHT, nor into reported extrajudicial killings of Bawm civilians. It appears that the continued imprisonment of Bawm civilians and the broader persecution of the entire community is a reflection of the security forces’ frustration over their failure to control KNF, an armed group that they allegedly created. If this ongoing systematic targeting of the Bawm community is not urgently addressed, the entire Bawm community will be forced to flee Bangladesh. The CHT Commission strongly urges the Interim Government:

1. To release all the innocent Bawm detainees immediately who are not affiliated with KNF, and withdraw all cases against them. Ensure proper medical care for sick Bawm individuals still in custody.

2. While taking lawful action against KNF, also hold accountable and bring into justice those who supported and sponsored the creation of KNF. Ensure security forces cease their support to all armed vigilante groups operating in the CHT.

3. Guarantee safe environments for the voluntary return of displaced Bawm individuals from India and Myanmar. Ensure their safety upon return, including freedom from arrest, and access to livelihood and basic services. Bring to justice the security personnel allegedly involved in the extrajudicial killings, as well as the pro-military armed groups responsible for executing Bawm civilians, to help restore the community’s trust.

4. End de-facto military rule in the CHT by withdrawing the executive direction Operation Uttoron, and take immediate, concrete steps to implement the CHT Accord in full.”

17/05/2025

The Sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Statue Being Demolishing in Rangamati Sadar.

The statue demolition is not yet complete.

11/05/2025

Bangladesh bans activities of ousted PM Hasina’s party following protests
Link in comments below

11/05/2025

Air Marshal AK Bharti on Sunday confirmed that all pilots involved in have returned home safely, adding that the achieved all its objectives in the precision strikes launched against Pakistan.

Read here 🔗http://toi.in/2T-QVZ87