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3rd International Conference of CAAMB Ends Successfully
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Remarks by Lord Avebury, vice-chair of the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group, chairing a seminar
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Third International Conference of CAAMB (Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh ) took place at Habra, West Bengal, India on 18 February 2007. It was actively supported by Bangladesh Udbastu Unnayan Sangsad, Udbastu Sangram Parishad, Bangladesh Minority Forum, Sonar Bangla Democratic Party, Indian Nationalist Forum and others. The venue was Habra Girls High School , about 50 kilometers east of Kolkata. Topic of discussion was Human rights of Bangladesh Minorities and the Citizenship issues of the Refugees. The conference was attended by more than 700 delegates from Kolkata, North 24 Parganas and other districts.
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B.B.Nandi, D.Chowdhury (UK), R. Ghosh (Dhaka) and R.N.Tribedi (Dhaka) at the inauguration |
The conference was inaugurated at 10-30 am by B.B.Nandy (Ex-Additional Secy to Govt. of India and writer). Mohit Ray of CAAMB welcomed the international and national delegates and explained the background for the conference and CAAMB's goal for a free democratic society. Speakers in the first session were B.B.Nandy, Rabindra Ghosh, (President, Human Rights Congress of Bangladesh Minorities and GHRD, Dhaka), R,N.Tribedi (Ex- Press Secy to President of Bangladesh, Dhaka), Debabratra Chowdhury (BHBCUC, UK), Alok Choewdhury (BHBCUC, Canada), Bimal Pramanik (Dir, Centre for Research in Indo-Bangla Relation), Ratneswar Sarkar (Gen Secy, All India Refugee Front), Susanta Saha (President, , Udbastu Sangram Parishad), Tushar Ghish (President, Sonar Bangla Democratic Party), Dr. Sisir Majumdar (London) and Prof Tathagata Roy (writer). All the speakers highlighted the plight of the minorities in Bangladesh and the problems of the refugees in India . Specifically speakers criticized the last BJP led government who passed the infamous Citizenship Act in 2003. This conference started a new phase of movement uniting the fight for the human rights of Hindu-Buddhist-Christians-Indigenous minorities in Bangladesh and the refugee rights in India and to unveil the danger of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh and West Bengal . |
A Section of Audience |
After lunch the session was addressed by a host of regional important intellectuals and leaders. Amongst them were Biren Bhowmik (Editor, OBC Sangbad), Debajyoti Roy, writer, Gopal Saha, Chitaranjan Chattopadhyay (Bangladesh Minority Forum,) and others. The conference ended at 5-30 pm The large attendance and spirited speeches made the 3 rd International Conference a very successful one. Achinta Gupta of CAAMB felicitated the whole meeting and presented vote of thanks. |
Book Exhibition and Sales |
We specially thank BHBCUC , USA ( Ratan Barua, President, Nabendu Dutta, President, Thomas D. Roy, President, Sushil Saha, Secretary), Friends from BHBCUC , Canada , Alok Chowdhury ( Canada ) and Debabrata Chowdhury (UK) to organize this largely attended conference. |
Conference in progress |
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