The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region of Bangladesh has been a member of the UNPO since 1991.

The peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh, comprising eleven distinct ethnic groups, have coexisted with the region’s forests for centuries. Their unique languages, identities, and religious practices enrich Bangladesh’s cultural diversity. The 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord promised greater autonomy and cultural preservation, yet the government’s failure to fully implement it has led to ongoing military presence, land dispossession, and marginalization. Respecting the self-determination of the CHT peoples could empower them to protect their land and culture, fostering social harmony and stability. Upholding their rights would also reflect Bangladesh’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and justice.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of the CHT as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from the CHT. However, the main organization representing the rights of the people of the CHT within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). You can read more about the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti here.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), located in southeastern Bangladesh, is a region of remarkable diversity, encompassing three hill districts: Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban. Bordered by Myanmar to the south and southeast, India to the north and northeast, and the Chittagong district of Bangladesh to the west, the CHT is home to eleven indigenous ethnic groups collectively known as the Jumma people. The Jumma people’s distinct identity is rooted in their unique languages, cultures, and religious practices, which starkly contrast with those of the majority Bengali population in Bangladesh. 

The Chittagong Hill Tracts have a long history of resistance against external domination, with the Jumma people fighting to preserve their distinct identity and autonomy. The 1997 CHT Accord was a landmark agreement aimed at resolving the decades-long conflict between the Bangladeshi government and the indigenous peoples of the CHT. The Accord recognized the CHT as a tribal-inhabited region and introduced a special governance system designed to empower local authorities through the establishment of the CHT Regional Council and three Hill District Councils (HDCs). It sought to decentralize governance and transfer powers related to administration, law and order, land management, education, health, and the environment to indigenous leaders. Additionally, the Accord addressed critical issues such as demilitarization, land disputes, and the rehabilitation of Jumma refugees and internally displaced persons.

However, the historical injustices faced by the Jumma people, including forced displacement, land confiscation, and cultural assimilation, have not been adequately addressed. The slow and incomplete implementation of the CHT Accord has meant that many of these injustices continue to this day, undermining the rights and autonomy of the Jumma people.

Despite the promises made in the 1997 CHT Accord, the failure to fully implement its key provisions has led to prevalent tensions and dissatisfaction among the indigenous communities in the CHT. The continued military presence in the region, over two decades after the Accord was signed, remains a major source of concern. The failure to effectively demilitarize, along with unresolved land disputes and the central government’s reluctance to fully delegate administrative powers, has deepened the sense of marginalization among the Jumma people.

Moreover, the ongoing human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association, contribute to the volatile situation in the CHT. Indigenous leaders and activists often face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and violence, further fueling the community’s mistrust of the government. The rise in militarization and repression reflects the broader trend of centralization and authoritarianism within the Bangladeshi state, where the rights of minority communities are often sacrificed in the name of national unity and development.

Development projects, including infrastructure and tourism initiatives, have also frequently disregarded the rights and concerns of the indigenous peoples, leading to further displacement and environmental degradation. These projects, often implemented without the free, prior, and informed consent of the Jumma people, have intensified the already existing tensions and contributed to the marginalization of indigenous communities.

The situation in the CHT reflects the urgent need for comprehensive and inclusive solutions that respect the rights of the indigenous peoples and address the root causes of conflict. The Jumma people’s right to self-determination must be respected to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. Upholding this right would not only empower the Jumma people to manage their own affairs but also promote greater social cohesion and reduce the likelihood of conflict. Furthermore, fully implementing the CHT Accord, including demilitarization and resolving land disputes, is essential for rebuilding trust between the indigenous communities and the central government.