§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking, together with other donors in the Bangladesh aid consortium, to monitor developments in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) following the recent agreement between the Bangladesh Government and representatives of the indigenous people of the CHT; and whether, as holders of the presidency of the European Union, they will request the Bangladesh Government to open up the CHT to aid agencies, human rights observers and journalists. [HL1844]
§ Lord WhittyWe continue to monitor the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Our Deputy High Commissioner visited recently and made a detailed report and briefed EU colleagues. We are also active in the sub-set of donors who have formed a working group with the Government of Bangladesh to identify the needs, priorities and mechanisms for providing development assistance in the area to underpin the peace process. A needs assessment team, sent by the working group, submitted its report on 14 May which is now being considered by government and working group members. The team, which included foreign expertise, was given unlimited access in the region.
Bangladeshi nationals, including aid agencies, human rights observers and journalists, already have full access to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The major national non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as BRAC and Proshika, are preparing new programmes in the area; small local NGOs have worked there for many years.
158WAThe current "restricted area" status applies only to foreign nationals. However the Government of Bangladesh do grant permission to visit the area. Foreign staff working on the long-established projects of UNICEF and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society visit the region on a regular basis. EU representatives in the working group have pressed the Government of Bangladesh for a speedy end to the application process to facilitate normal access and working in the area.