TIB calls for urgent roadmap to implement Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord

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Achieving sustainable peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is not merely a regional concern but a fundamental necessity for the health of Bangladesh’s democracy, human rights, and national stability, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman. Addressing a discussion titled “Five Months of the BNP-led Government: Observations on the Progress of the CHT Peace Accord,” he urged for the implementation of a time-bound roadmap to fulfill the historic 1997 agreement.

The event, held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, was organized by the CHT Peace Accord Implementation Movement, a citizen platform advocating for the full execution of the peace deal signed on December 2, 1997. Iftekharuzzaman emphasized that the accord is intrinsically linked to the national promises of equality, social justice, and democracy born from the 1971 Liberation War. He asserted that peace in the region requires addressing deep-seated distrust and the root causes of conflict through social reconstruction, rather than focusing solely on armed groups.

The TIB executive director also addressed concerns regarding the political discourse surrounding the region, particularly the omission of the term “indigenous” in the BNP’s election manifesto. He maintained that the right to self-identification is a fundamental human right that must be respected. He further suggested that the Bangladesh military, leveraging its extensive experience in international peacekeeping missions, could play a constructive role in facilitating peace if guided by strong political will and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Other political leaders and activists at the meeting expressed growing frustration over the perceived stagnation of the peace process since the current government took office. Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq argued that the accord necessitates a comprehensive review to ensure the inclusion of all stakeholders, including the Bengali population in the region. He proposed the formation of a national commission to navigate the complexities of the peace process and transform the government’s stated vision of a pluralistic society into concrete political action.

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Bangladesh Jasad General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan highlighted the persistent crisis of security and trust in the region, noting that even after three decades, the indigenous population continues to face systemic marginalization. Representatives of the CHT Peace Accord Implementation Movement reported that despite their appeals for the government to prioritize the accord within its 180-day agenda, no significant progress has been observed during the administration’s first five months.

The movement’s joint coordinator, Zakir Hossain, criticized the appointment of a non-indigenous official as the State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, labeling it a direct contradiction of the accord’s spirit. He further alleged that the government continues to make policy decisions while bypassing the CHT Regional Council. To rectify these issues, speakers at the event demanded the immediate appointment of an indigenous full minister, the establishment of a functional land dispute resolution commission, and the initiation of structured policy dialogues between the government and regional authorities.