Indigenous, not ethnic minorities

Rights activists, left-leaning politicians and civil society members yesterday called upon the government for bringing constitutional change to recognise the country's ethnic minorities as "indigenous".

Addressing a webinar marking the United Nations-declared "International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples", they said such recognition of the ethnic minorities was integral to ensure and uphold their due rights and well-being.

They said despite being citizens of the country and part of its diverse culture, ethnic minorities have been deprived of their rights, especially land right, while several of their mother tongues were facing extinction.

The webinar was part of a daylong programme, organised by Bangladesh Adibashi Forum (BAF), upholding the day's significance.

The speakers urged the government to take effective steps to fully implement the 1998's peace accord signed between the government and regional political party Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samiti, and make fully functional the CHT land commission formed under the accord.

Addressing the webinar, Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said there is an official directive that the word "indigenous" cannot be used. "We talk about constitutional rights of the indigenous people. But first, they should be recognised and their identity must be upheld," he said.

There is an influential quarter in the state machineries, which still lacks mentality that the country's ethnic community people deserve equal rights, he added.

On the day's significance, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said state recognition of the day and its observance nationally was important to uphold ethnic minority people's rights.

Bangladesh is a signatory to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals treaty and its core message is "leave no one behind", said Menon.

On the other hand, Bangladesh's constitution clearly cites about formulation of special law for the rights of the people who have been left behind, he added.

The country has to ensure the inclusion of ethnic minorities to fulfill SDG targets and also to fulfill constitutional obligations, he added.

Workers Party lawmaker and convener of the parliamentary caucus on indigenous affairs Fazle Hossain Badsha said the caucus had earlier placed a bill before the national parliament aiming for a constitutional change and inclusion of the word "indigenous" in the constitution.

However, the bill has not been discussed, he said, adding that they will place a similar bill before the House in future.

Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said rights groups have long been demanding for the recognition of the ethnic minorities. Bangladesh is diverse in its culture and ethnic minorities are an integral part of it, she added.

Recognition of ethnic minorities has to be ensured for their dignified livelihood and also for their due land right, said Shamsul Huda, executive director of Association for Land Reform and Development.

Dhaka University Prof Sadeka Halim and Prof Mesbah Kamal, and BAF Central Committee Member Myentthein Promila, among others, addressed the webinar, moderated by BAF General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong.