New York, 28 April 2023:
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) welcomed the progress
towards the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord. The Forum made
this observation in its report of the 22nd Session held from 17 to 28 April in New York.
The members of the Forum engaged with the delegation of Bangladesh as well as with a large
number of civil society members and individuals belonging to the ethnic minorities throughout the
Session and discussed the status of CHT Peace Accord. Welcoming the progress made in this regard,
the Forum called upon Bangladesh to make further efforts towards full implementation of the
Accord through constructive dialogue and cooperation with the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional
Council, the three Hill District Councils and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution
Commission.
The Government of Bangladesh is committed to achieving inclusive and sustainable
development of all its people including the ethnic minorities, and recognizes the importance of
implementing the historic CHT Peace Accord, which was signed in 1997 under the leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Implementation of the CHT peace accord is integrally linked to our vision for an inclusive
and peaceful Bangladesh. The Government's efforts have already brought visible changes in the
lives of the ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, which will continue", said Ambassador Muhith, the
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, who effectively steered the engagements of the
Bangladesh delegation with the Forum.
The delegation highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh
in ensuring socio-economic development of ethnic minorities in Bangladesh and increasing their
participation in decision-making processes as well as measures for protection of their unique
cultural heritage, language and diversity.
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is a functional commission of the Economic and
Social Council which is mandated to address issues related to the rights of indigenous people.