Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs secretary, Md Abdul Khaleque, reaffirmed Bangladesh government鈥檚 unwavering commitment to uphold the constitutional guarantee in promoting and protecting the rights of all citizens and to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
He has said this at the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, being convened in April 21- May 2 2in New York in the United States recently.
In his statement, Khaleque informed the forum about the implementation progress of the CHT peace accord.
He has also highlighted the land management system prevailing in the CHT region, which runs in accordance with mainly the provisions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation, 1900.
He emphasised the government鈥檚 continued financial support and allocation in the CHT region to ensure infrastructural development and promote advancement in education, healthcare, livelihoods and sports.
Bangladesh鈥檚 constitutional commitment to protect and promote the unique local culture, heritage and traditions of the national minority communities has also been reiterated in Bangladesh鈥檚 statement.
Participating in the thematic dialogue titled Financing of Indigenous Peoples鈥� Work and Participation Across the Multilateral and Regional System鈥�, the Bangladesh delegation acknowledged the importance of their meaningful participation in relevant multilateral and regional system on issues affecting them.
The importance of respecting the established UN practices and procedures, however, was also underscored by the Bangladesh delegation.
The Bangladesh delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Land, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from national minority communities from both the CHT region and plain land.