1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Agreement remains in limbo
WORLD: After the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a two-thirds majority in the parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026, it formed a government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Shortly thereafter, on February 17 Dipen Dewan was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs in accordance with the Hill Tracts Accord.
However, the appointment of Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin as State Minister of the ministry on the same day raised significant concerns, as he was elected from outside the Chittagong Hill Tracts and did not align with the original spirit of the Accord. Despite civil society's demands for Uddin's removal, no action was taken, and Dewan resigned on June 1, 2026, after facing various pressures leaving the ministry under Uddin's illegal administration.
Worryingly, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed remarked on March 11 that achieving 100 percent human rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts was not feasible due to national integrity concerns. His statements suggested a potential hindrance to human rights protections and could perpetuate ongoing violations.
Approximately four and a half months into BNP's leadership, no effective measures have been taken to implement the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Agreement contributing to a deteriorating human rights situation. The BNP government has continued a militarised approach reminiscent of previous administrations ignoring the need for political resolution through the Accord, leading to ongoing oppression of the Jumma people.
From January to June 2026, reports indicated 57 human rights violations committed by security forces, law enforcement agencies, army-backed militant groups and settlers. 154 Jummas faced various forms of injustices including harassment, land grabbing, violent attacks and oppression from these groups resulting in a prolonged cycle of human rights abuses in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
(Sajib Chakma is Assistant Information and Publicity Secretary in Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)