B4-1109, 1151, 1176, 1185 and 1201/96

Resolution on Bangladesh

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Bangladesh,

A. deeply concerned by the human rights situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, where the indigenous peoples are subject to strict control by the Bangladeshi army,

B. whereas fundamental freedoms such as freedom of movement and freedom of political and cultural expression are not being granted to the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts,

C. alarmed in particular by the disappearance on 12 June 1996 in the village of Lalyaghona in Rangamati District of Mrs Kalpana Chakma, Secretary-General of the Hill Women's Federation, who had always fought for the recognition of fundamental rights for the Chakma population and other ethnic groups present in the Chittagong Hill Tracts,

D. concerned by the information implying that elements of the Bangladeshi army were directly implicated in the abduction of Mrs Kalpana Chakma,

E. whereas over the past years, the Bangladeshi Government refused to recognise any demand for autonomy expressed by the Chittagong Hill Tracts peoples,

F. hoping that the new Government will commit itself to seeking a peaceful settlement of the Chittagong Hill people's demand for autonomy,

G. concerned by the situation of thousands of inhabitants of the 'char' islands in the Bramaputra which were definitively destroyed in this year's monsoon as a result of the construction of a bridge financed by the World Bank,

1. Calls for the immediate release of Mrs Kalpana Chakma;

2. Calls for an impartial committee of inquiry to be established to clarify who bears responsibility for the abduction of Mrs Kalpana Chakma, in particular in relation to the role of elements of the army in her disappearance;

3. Condemns all repressive policies relating to the indigenous populations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and considers that it is the responsibility of the government in Dhaka to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in this region;

4. Calls on the Bangladeshi Government to open direct political talks with all the parties concerned in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in order to find a political and negotiated settlement to the various demands of the local people;

5. Considers that all policies of colonization and militarization in the Chittagong Hill Tracts must be halted as a matter of urgency in order to encourage the search for a solution to the conflict;

6. Calls on the government of Bangladesh to allow unrestricted visits by delegations from humanitarian and human rights organizations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region and to ensure complete freedom of movement for the local population;

7. Calls on the government to stop hampering the humanitarian aid and the development projects intended for the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts;

8. Supports the efforts of the 'char' inhabitants to address the World Bank inspection panel in order to seek compensation and calls on the Bangladeshi Government to take all the necessary steps in order to ensure the legal rights of the 'char' inhabitants;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Parliament and Government of Bangladesh.