Bangladesh does not have any indigenous population: Dipu Moni

Bangladesh does not have any indigenous population: Dipu Moni

11 April 2010


Courtesy BSS

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni today clarified the government position on ethnic minority groups in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and elsewhere of the country saying Bangladesh does not have any “indigenous population” as meant in
the UN jargon.

“Bangladesh rather has several ethnic minorities and tribal population living in all parts of Bangladesh, in harmony with the Bengalee population,” she said as outgoing UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Dhaka Renata Lok- Dessallien called on her.

Moni added that Bengalees are not “settlers in Bangladesh and that our situation could not be compared with those in some western countries”.

The foreign minister’s comments came as she appreciated the UNDP’s role particularly in the CHT region. Dessallien explained the UNDP activities in the rugged region taken in consultation with the appropriate government authorities.

The UNDP representative agreed with the foreign minister’s observations on the identity of the ethnic minority people and said the UN agencies would certainly follow the government position on this issue.

She also clarified that all development programmes in the CHT are targeted for all marginalised people, be them Bengalees or tribesmen.

Dessallien leaves here after an eventful four and half years tenure which witnessed crucial political transitions including the military-backed state of emergency and subsequent return of democratic rule.

The Foreign Minister thanked her for enhanced engagement of UNDP in Bangladesh’s development work during the past several years but expressed concern at the gradual erosion in the core funding of UNDP at the global level.

She also regretted non-fulfilment of ODA commitment by most of the development partners.

Referring to the recently held Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) in Dhaka, Moni called upon the UNDP and other development partners to come forward with necessary investment to implement the agreed recommendations.

She also expressed happiness at the change of format of BDF from a donor-driven process to now a forum of partnership between Bangladesh and its development partners.

They also discussed issues related to strengthening of relevant institutions which are critical for upholding the values
of democracy and accountability.

 

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=100076&date=2010-04-11

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