The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed yearly on August 9, aims to increase awareness and advocate for the rights, cultures, and unique contributions of indigenous communities globally. It also highlights the challenges faced by indigenous peoples and promotes international cooperation to address issues such as human rights, environmental protection, development, education, and health.
In Bangladesh, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention No. 107 on Indigenous and Tribal Populations, ratified by Bangladesh in 1972, serve as the foundation for recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples. National frameworks like the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, 1997, and the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950, are crucial for the effective implementation of these rights.
Despite rhetorical support for UNDRIP and occasional references to ILO Convention No. 169, Bangladesh has yet to ratify the latter. The provisions of ILO Convention No. 107, which include rights to land, forests, natural resources, education, and cultural preservation, are violated in Bangladesh. Land rights of the Jumma people and other indigenous communities are threatened by leasing lands to external companies and influential individuals, contrary to the convention’s principles.
Various violations of ILO Convention No. 107 are evident in different regions of Bangladesh, such as land occupation and destruction in areas belonging to indigenous communities. Recognizing indigenous peoples as “indigenous” in the national constitution is a critical step towards securing their rights. The ongoing constitutional reforms provide an opportunity to honor their right to self-identification under UNDRIP with concrete guarantees for land, culture, and self-governance.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the sovereignty of the country if indigenous peoples are recognized as such. However, Article 46(1) of UNDRIP explicitly states that such recognition does not threaten a country’s sovereignty. Special governance for the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region relies on the proper implementation of the CHT Accord and related acts to ensure effective governance and development in the region.
Preserving the cultural autonomy of indigenous peoples in the plains requires efforts to safeguard their customs, traditions, and languages, which are deeply connected to their ancestral lands and resources. Upholding their customary rights over these territories is crucial for protecting their cultural heritage. Implementation of the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950, plays a vital role in establishing the legal foundation for this protection.
Mangal Kumar Chakma, the information and publicity secretary at Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), shares these views.