The prime minister’s adviser for international affairs, Gowher Rizvi, on Wednesday said the laws which were inconsistent with the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord need to be amended for harmonising those with the treaty.
‘You know the accord was signed by our government and the leaders of the CHT (in 1997). The laws that become inconsistent with the peace agreement, that need to be amended,’ he told the inaugural session of a workshop in the capital, reports United News of Bangladesh.
‘The accord is superior to the law. Therefore, it cannot be conflicting with the treaty. It must be updated in such a way so that the accord can be implemented fully. That’s why harmonisation is very important,’ Gowher Rizvi said.
Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs ministry and UNDP jointly organised the workshop, titled ‘Towards Harmonization of CHT Laws’, at a city hotel in the morning.
Speaking as the chief guest, Rizvi said it is very important that the CHT Peace Accord was fully implemented in accordance with the country’s constitution.
‘There is no conflict between the constitution and the CHT accord. Our constitution provides a democratic, pluralistic, multicultural and secular society and this accord is intended to give such a state that our constitution is committed to.’
He assured the Bengali settlers who have been living in the CHT that their lives and property would not be affected in any way if the CHT Accord was implemented fully. ‘Many fear that if the CHT accord is fully implemented, their lives and land will be affected, but that is not true.’
Rejecting the demand of special status of the CHT, the prime minister’ s adviser said, ‘This is not possible at all because we have a diverse society and the diversity is the greatest pillar of our strength.’
UNDP country representative Pauline Tamesis said harmonisation requires amendment to 38 laws, including 12 related to the CHT.
‘Harmonisation also requires the full transfer of all subjects, drafting of rules and regulations, and upgrading of organograms. The harmonisation process cannot be a piecemeal arrangement as it involves a large number of activities and actors.’
State minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs ministry Bir Bahadur said the harmonisation of CHT laws and the roadmap for implementation would be of great value for the government in its efforts for the full implementation of the CHT Accord.
‘A roadmap towards the harmonisation of CHT laws is a must to reach our goals,’ he added.
CHT affairs secretary Naba Bikram Kishore Tripura presided over the workshop.
Source: New Age