While the above recommendations seek to address conflict drivers that exacerbate instability in CHT, there is also a need to look to holistic development of the region, through greater democratic political space, a more efficient and effective administration, and a strong civil society. These are long-term general development goals, but which are essential in order to ensure an enabling environment for the stability of the above conflict-related recommendations. A key complaint of CHT inhabitants was a lack of a coherent and specific plan for the region, and as such it is recommended that a 10 to 15-year development plan be established.
Goal, Contents, and Implementation of the Development Plan The plan should encompass the following fundamental directions:
a. Political Representation and Participation;
b. Capacity Building and Advocacy;
c. Sustainable Development.
This plan can guide both public and private sectors in meeting their respective development responsibilities, and would be spearheaded by the public sector ideally, or by a coalition of CSOs in the case of lack of public sector capacity or will.
The question of who was benefiting from the development of CHT was often raised in the study, as was the issue of non-participatory processes. The plan’s success will rest on the government’s ability to lead a gradual move to a programme of inclusive growth, and one where Bengalis and indigenous peoples are in the centre of the policymaking process. CHT’s best interests should be determined through good-faith, result-oriented and fair consultation efforts. In order to foresee implementation constraints, all relevant stakeholders should be an integral part of the development of the plan.
It is envisioned that upon completion of the plan CHT would be a place where indigenous representatives are democratically elected to positions of leadership, and the public is politically engaged, where local and regional governments are capable and accountable, and where development initiatives are undertaken in a sustainable and participatory manner, targeting inclusive growth.
Political Representation and Participation
Within the settings of the multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, proper political representation and participation plays a fundamental role. It forms a strong basis of a strong civil society and ensures democratic governance. The analytical part of this work demonstrates that the government of Bangladesh establishes two great impediments to such representation and participation among minority groups in CHT:
a. Party requirements; and
b. Indirect discrimination (practical challenges for the indigenous peoples).
In light of this, there is a need to gradually remove these impediments and ensure greater political representation and participation of the indigenous peoples. This should be an integral part of the development plan, perhaps through government efforts to support indigenous participation in political life both at central and local levels, and the removal of legislative barriers such as the party requirement. CSO support could take the form of help to prepare indigenous candidates to participate in the political arena, through substantive, technical or logistic support, and voters’
education initiatives to encourage political participation and to ensure that indigenous peoples are more aware of democratic processes.
Capacity Building and Advocacy
When addressing the implementation part of the 10 to 15-year plan, one should take into account the capacity factor. The government, as a key stakeholder, will require
a substantial support from a number of private sector institutions and CSOs (e.g., BRAC) to increase its capacity and transparency in CHT. For example, private and civil society organisations have specific expertise in participatory development initiatives, in monitoring and evaluating for impact, in stakeholder management, and in accountability practices. Regular engagement with CHT government institutions operating in CHT, either on a secondment or consultancy basis, or through trainings and workshops, would assist the government in CHT in elaborating and meeting the targets of the development plan, as well as in modernising and strengthening administrative capacity more widely.
This offers a double opportunity to CSOs, as greater communication and engagement with local government also allows for greater advocacy opportunities, and the chance to help craft the development agenda in CHT, and to promote local government positions which support positive peace in CHT, and which are not dependent on the Dhaka line.
Sustainable Development
Two key sustainable development agendas in CHT should encompass the following:
a. Inclusive economic growth; and b. Environmental protection.
Inclusive economic growth is crucial in order to support financially independent indigenous communities, and to provide economic opportunities that solidify positive peace and which de-incentivise economies of conflict. Currently, Bengalis hold the majority of economic power in CHT, and so it is crucial to include indigenous peoples in every area of the economic system, not just as primary producers and agriculture workers. Programmes which support indigenous access to diverse industries, skills upgrading for all CHT inhabitants, and social and sustainable enterprise should be considered in elaborating the development plan.
On the other hand, when talking about economic growth, environmental protection becomes even more important. Environmental protection is a controversial question within CHT, as the land and environment are ultimately linked to the identity and livelihoods of the indigenous peoples. Sustainability and resilience of the natural environment must be paramount in any economic development plans for CHT, and more so given its fragile and unique landscape and land-linked heritage. The development plan should include clear processes for environmental impact assessments to be conducted as part of every project, and decisions to undertake development initiatives which could entail negative environmental externalities must be clearly and publicly justified and should be accompanied by a mitigation plan.
C H T A C C O R D
The CHT Accord has been a powerful symbol of the indigenous peoples’ struggle for their rights and identity as Bangladeshi citizens. The incomplete implementation of the Accord only highlights the still long journey of building peace, conflict resolution, and ultimately – the reconciliation of the Bangladeshi identity. The Accord acts as an important anchor of the indigenous peoples to their Bangladeshi identity. Therefore, while this study does not solely focus on the examination of the Accord, it is imperative to ask critical questions that can be pivotal to the future of the Accord.
There are apparent loopholes and deficiencies on the current form of the Accord.
Can we imagine a framework under which it could be re-thought and re-negotiated either in part or in full? Can we create a space to re-negotiate the terms and powers of the land commission as a crucial facet of the Accord? Similarly, can we negotiate clearer terms for local elections? An even bigger question on re-thinking the implementation of the Accord is how to bring all parties together, who all share the vision and responsibility of ensuring an Accord that benefits all and leave no man behind.
The implementation of the Accord is still high on the interest of people of CHT.
Although moving forward with the implementation requires particular areas in the original tenets of the Accord that needs to be addressed.
a. As with any plans or agreement, the Accord needs a clearer implementation timeline. This can either be a re-negotiated Accord or an implementing rules and regulations that provides a detailed implementation plan of all the provisions.
b. The Accord also requires greater participation of stakeholders, including settlers, military, CSOs, and non-dominant indigenous groups. This is to ensure a more consultative process that ensures all voices are heard, provides a greater stake for all parties, and solidify the concerted efforts to see-through the implementation
c. While the military should not be part of the negotiating party in the CHT Accord, their insights and knowledge from their years of experience in the region can provide a valuable perspective. Hence, they should be widely consulted in the process.
A R E A S O F F U T U R E R E S E A R C H
The research in the CHT revealed various areas relating to peacebuilding and conflict-resolution in the region that still needs to be studied and explored. One striking interest for future study is the issue of religious conflict in the CHT. It was revealed that religion is used as a new form of instrument of domination in the region.
The interviewees cited incidents where the military prevents people from going to the temples, even to the extent of arresting them. Children were also forcibly taken to study Islam and converted to Muslim. Using religion as a discord instrument is leveraging on the fact the religion is an integral part of every individual’s identity and clamour for recognition. As reconciliation between the conflicting parties is one of the most critical entry point for the peacebuilding process, religious harmony is an important node in creating an environment that fosters reconciliation. Future research could explore the religious situation in the region and possibly identify areas where religious harmony can be promoted in the CHT.
Education is one of the areas that can help bring about sustainable peace and development. There have been remarkable strides in the education sector in the region, although there are still substantial areas for improvement. At this stage, it will be interesting to study the educational reforms that has been happening in the CHT and Bangladesh and particularly, how it can be utilized to promote peace and justice. It can be interesting to compare country cases and how Bangladesh can learn from the experiences of other countries.
Lastly, the CHT has been the arena of the tug-of-war of power among various players.
A useful area of research would be on the mechanism of power shift, as in the case of how to usher a lesser civic role for the military. A further exploration of the areas of influence enjoyed by the district council, the traditional leaders and the military will aid in defining the legal and the actual jurisdiction enjoyed by the various actors in CHT.
C O N C L U S I O N
Twenty years after the signing of the Accord, peace is still a long way from reaching CHT. While progress has been made on certain aspects, the larger goals and aspirations of the Accord have not been met. This paper casts light onto the concept of ‘ethno-national identity’, and the historical and political repercussions of majority- group identity politics in a multi-ethnic country. The limited implementation of the CHT Accord and the continuation of the conflict in CHT are symptomatic of the larger juxtaposition between the constitutionally-provided Bengali identity and the contested identities of the indigenous peoples of CHT. While this study indicates that constitutional recognition for indigenous peoples is nearly impossible in the current political situation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding can be undertaken in order to strengthen identity markers, such as education in indigenous peoples’ mother- tongues and community development, building safety in CHT and engaging Bengali settlers and indigenous peoples in issues that are common to both parties. It is hoped that improvements in the overall cultural, developmental and democratic system of CHT, as well as targeted work on key Accord issues such as land, will allow for communities to lay a solid foundation so as to benefit when the opportunity and the political will arises to renew or re-negotiate the Accord.
At the 19th anniversary of the CHT Accord, PM Sheikh Hasina referred to the Accord as “a rare incident in world history”.82 This report advocates for a need to review the Accord to correct this very ‘rare incident’, and to include a clear timeline for implementation and inputs from key stakeholders. The Accord continues to be a symbol of hope for the indigenous peoples, and it shall serve as one of the key foundations to resolving the decades of mistrust between the Bengalis and indigenous peoples of Bangladesh.
82 "CHT Peace Accord A Rare Incident In World History: PM - National". News Bangladesh, last modified December 2, 2016, http://www.newsbangladesh.com/english/details/20362.
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