Neither AL nor BNP kept promises made to indigenous people

Political parties should include some agendas in their electoral manifestos to help enhance the participation of indigenous youths in politics, said indigenous rights activists at a discussion in Dhaka yesterday.

While presenting a 10-point recommendation, they also demanded the restoration of indigenous quota in class-I and class-II government jobs.

Indigenous Peoples Development Services (IPDS) organised the programme, titled “Inclusive Electoral Manifesto: Perspective of the Indigenous Youth”, with the support of ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) at CBCB Centre in Mohammadpur area.

The recommendations also included recognition of the indigenous people in the constitution, full implementation of CHT Peace Accord and formation of a separate ministry for indigenous people living in plain lands.

According to the keynote paper presented at the event, the two major political parties -- Awami League (AL) and BNP -- did not keep their promises in the past, even after including issues involving the indigenous community in their electoral manifestos.

According to the paper, prepared by indigenous rights activists, AL promised to ensure the rights and recognition of indigenous people, and special provisions in jobs and education for indigenous youths in their manifesto for the 2008 national election. Instead, they stopped using the term “Adivasi” (indigenous) in their manifesto for the 2014 election.

Similar promises were made by BNP in 2001, and they did the same.  

Speaking at the programme, Dhaka University (DU) Professor Mesbah Kamal said that Bangladesh lags behind in utilising youth forces compared to other countries and indigenous youths are the worst victim of it.

“There is no space for indigenous youths when it comes to representation in the state system,” he said, adding that youths need to be prioritised to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Giving an example of the Ugandan parliament, he said the Bangladesh government should keep at least five percent reserved seats for the youths. Of them, two percent should be for minority youths and one for indigenous youths. 

Former chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Mizanur Rahman, called upon the youths to be organised and vocal to establish their own rights.

He also criticised the government for scrapping the quota system in class-I and class-II government jobs.

Cultural personality Mamunur Rashid said the government's perspective towards indigenous people needs to change to resolve many issues like the CHT Peace Accord.

AAB Deputy Director (Programme Policy and Campaign) Faira Chowdhury said that youths should be given priority in the course of development.

President of IPDS Sanjeeb Drong presided over the programme while Prof Robaet Ferdous off DU moderated the session.