chtnews.com
News No. 46/2010, March 09, 2010
The Jumma women in Chittagong Hill Tracts continue to face widespread discrimination and repression by Bangladesh state.
This was stated by the Hill Women’s Federation leaders yesterday at a discussion held at Perachara Union Council ground at Swanirbhor in Khagrachari district town to mark the 100th International Women’s Day and its 22th founding anniversary.
“Even one of the two Jummas killed in the army firing in Sajek on 20 February is a woman.” Kanika Dewan, General Secretary of the HWF, told the audience.
She criticized the local administration for refusing to allow her organisation to hold a rally and a procession on International Women’s Day.
She said there is no peace in the CHT and there will be no peace as long as the army and settlers are there.
“In any militarized zones women are the most vulnerable to repression. This also holds true for the Jumma women in CHT. They have nothing to defend themselves from sexual attacks of the army and settlers.” she said.
“The Jumma women continue to face discrimination and repression; they are subjected to rape, murder, harassment and other abuses.” she added.
Kanika urged the government to end violence against Jumma women, withdraw the army and settlers from CHT and bring the murderers of Buddhaboti Chakma to justice.
The discussion was also addressed by Amir Abbas, member secretary of Bangladesh Muti Council Chittagong Unit, Monirul Monir, member, central committee, Bangladesh Lekhok Shibir, and Rina Dewan, Organising Sceretary of HWF.
The discussion was moderated by Swarna Chakma.
…………………………
