Bangladesh: Chittagong Hill Tracts: Special Forces Prevent Delegation from Conducting Land-Grabbing Research

May 12, 2017 | Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
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An investigative delegation to Bandarban was blocked by security officials and a team comprised of journalists, human rights advocates and civil society actors were prevented from conducting their mission. The civic delegation planned to survey the land-grabbing and evictions that continue to adversely affect indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The information gathered would then be used to further develop the provisions for resolving land disputes in the CHT Accord. The heightened militarisation of the CHT allows the government to maintain its grip on power in the region and subsequently refuse attempts at independent research, thus keeping the Jumma people marginalised and stifling their complaints about eviction and land-grabs.