91997E3044

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3044/97 by Olivier Dupuis (ARE) to the Commission (16 September 1997)

Subject: Population transfer to the Chittagong Hill Tracts

The European Parliament's observations on budgetary item B7-301 'Economic cooperation with developing countries in Asia' specify that part of the budget allocated to Bangladesh be assigned to the repatriation of

Bengali colonists to their places of origin. What initiatives has the Commission taken in 1997 and what steps does it intend to take in the future to follow up Parliament's guideline? Has the Commission any information regarding the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, particularly as regards human rights?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1997)

The Commission has taken good note of the comment of the Parliament to the budgetary item B7-301 specifying that a part of the budget should be allocated to the repatriation of Bengali settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts back to the plains.

However, and though the Commission intends to support the implementation of the peace process, it is still premature to consider project preparation and implementation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as negotiations between the Bangladesh authorities and tribal leaders continue, and the political and security conditions are not favourable to external assistance.

The sixth round of negotiations between the Bangladesh authorities (national committee) and the political wing of the Shanti Bahini is due to start soon and it is expected that it will result in the signature of a peace agreement.

The Commission is following the situation closely.