International Day of the Indigenous Peoples

Today, as we celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (Adivasi Dibosh), the indigenous communities of Bangladesh living in Chittagong Hill Tracts and plain lands are still being deprived of basic necessities. 

No nation can develop with a section of its people left behind in many aspects of national life. According to our national education policy adopted in 2010, indigenous children have the right to learn in their mother tongue. But sadly, this has not been implemented yet. And their right to health? The recent deaths of ten children from measles in Chittagong's Sitakunda upazila are just an example of the kind of healthcare these people are provided with. 

Also, indigenous people being evicted from their ancestral land by influential people has become a common occurrence across the country. We have failed to ensure the safety of indigenous women, who fall victim to torture which the powerful quarters often use as a means for grabbing their land. Furthermore, the CHT peace accord has still not been fully implemented.

These are some of the issues that need to be addressed if we are serious about protecting their rights. To do so, involvement of indigenous people at the policy level is necessary.

Only dedicating a day for indigenous peoples will have no impact on their lives. And as a country we can't develop if the rights of these people are not ensured. We dream of a Bangladesh where the indigenous communities will be able to enjoy their rights without discrimination.