Nicholas Biswas; Dbarta24 Opinion – The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed annually on 9 August to promote and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and raise awareness of the challenges they face every day.
On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, addressing land rights, safety for women, and the full implementation of the CHT Accord remains essential for an inclusive nation.
It also celebrates their contributions to cultural diversity, traditional knowledge, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. The theme for 2026 —“Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being”—highlights the vital role Indigenous midwives play in protecting maternal and newborn health while preserving traditional knowledge and community well-being.
The State of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is often celebrated for its remarkable cultural heritage and social cohesion. It is home to a rich mosaic of ethnic and cultural diversity, with more than 54 Indigenous communities speaking at least 35 languages alongside the majority Bengali population.
According to the 2022 Population Census, the Indigenous population stands at approximately 1.65 million, representing about 1% of the country’s total population, although Indigenous organizations estimate the actual figure to be closer to 4 million.
Indigenous communities are distributed across both the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the plains districts, where groups such as the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro, Bawm, Santal, Oraon, Garo, and Manipuri have long maintained their distinct cultural identities.
The Constitution and the Commitment to Equal Rights
The Constitution of Bangladesh provides a strong foundation for equality and justice. Article 27 guarantees that all citizens are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection. Article 28 prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth and affirms equal rights for women in all spheres of public life.
These constitutional commitments leave little room for ambiguity, though adding the explicit term
ethnicity would bring even greater clarity.
Although Bangladesh ratified ILO Convention No. 107 in 1972, significant challenges remain. The Constitution, following the 15th Amendment of 2011, acknowledges the country’s ethnic diversity but does not officially recognize Indigenous communities as “Indigenous Peoples.” While certain cultural rights receive recognition, critical issues relating to land ownership, political participation, and economic rights remain largely unresolved. International monitoring bodies, including the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR), have emphasized the importance of ensuring a conducive environment for Indigenous Peoples.
“Protecting indigenous languages, cultures, and ancestral lands is not a concession to a minority; it is an investment in the country’s democratic values.”
Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls
More recent monitoring suggests that violence against Indigenous women and girls in Bangladesh has remained a serious human rights concern.
According to documentation by the Kapaeeng Foundation, 29 incidents of violence involving 32 Indigenous women and girls were recorded across 2025. The reported cases included rape, gang rape, attempted rape, killings, torture, and sexual harassment—reflecting the widespread vulnerability of Indigenous women across the country.
Violence against Indigenous women and girls continues to be significantly underreported due to:
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Fear of retaliation
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Social stigma
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Geographical isolation
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Limited access to legal and support services
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A lack of confidence in law enforcement and judicial institutions
The persistence of these obstacles not only denies justice to survivors but also perpetuates cycles of violence, marginalization, and inequality, highlighting the urgent need for stronger legal protections, prompt investigations, effective prosecution, victim-centred support services, and meaningful institutional reforms.
Justice Delayed, Justice Denied
The phrase “Justice delayed, justice denied” reflects the painful reality faced by many Indigenous women and girls in Bangladesh. For countless survivors of violence, justice is not only slow but often remains entirely out of reach.
Cases are frequently met with delayed investigations, prolonged court proceedings, inadequate evidence collection, intimidation of victims and witnesses, and, in many instances, a lack of accountability for perpetrators.
These delays erode public confidence in the justice system, discourage other survivors from reporting abuse, and allow a culture of impunity to persist.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord: Twenty-Nine Years of Fragmentary Progress
Nearly three decades after the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997, many of its central commitments remain unrealized.
The Accord was intended to establish lasting peace through greater local autonomy, effective land dispute resolution, and confidence-building measures.
Successive governments have highlighted progress in implementing provisions, while Indigenous representatives maintain that several fundamental commitments—including meaningful decentralization, an effective Land Commission, and resolution of longstanding land disputes—remain incomplete. This gap continues to fuel mistrust and uncertainty among indigenous peoples.
A Renewed Opportunity for Inclusive Dialogue
Against this backdrop, recent developments have once again brought the issue of Indigenous peoples to the forefront of national discourse.
Representatives of the Indigenous peoples living in the plains recently met with the Prime Minister, Tarek Rahman.
The delegation was led by Anna Minz, MP, Member of Parliament (Reserved Women’s Seat No. 19). During the meeting, held in the presence of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Minister of LGRD&C and Secretary General of BNP, the representatives submitted a set of recommendations outlining their legitimate demands.
Building an Inclusive Future
Bangladesh has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to overcome enormous national challenges through dialogue, resilience, and collective action.
The same commitment is now needed to ensure that indigenous peoples enjoy the full protection of the Constitution and equal opportunities as citizens.
These practical steps deserve immediate consideration for their well-being:
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Resolving Land Disputes: The government should establish an effective legal mechanism to resolve land disputes involving Indigenous communities in the country. Also, the establishment of a separate
Land Commissionfor the indigenous peoples in the plains is indispensable. -
Strengthening Justice: Access to justice for Indigenous women and girls must be strengthened through specialized legal support and faster investigation of violence.
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Educational Integration: Indigenous languages and cultures should receive sustained institutional support within the national education system in the country.
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Empowering Institutions: The National Human Rights Commission should be empowered to conduct regular, independent monitoring of human rights conditions in Indigenous areas.
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Fulfilling the CHT Accord: Renewed dialogue among all stakeholders is essential to accelerate the effective implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
Democratic Values Through Diversity
Bangladesh’s indigenous peoples are not outsiders to the nation they helped build. During the Liberation War of 1971, members of indigenous communities stood shoulder to shoulder with Bengali compatriots, sacrificing their lives for an independent Bangladesh.
Their contribution to the country deserves lasting recognition—not merely through ceremonial acknowledgment but through policies that uphold their rights, dignity, and equal citizenship.
The strength of Bangladesh has never rested on cultural uniformity. It has always lain in the richness of its diversity and the shared aspiration of its people to build a just and inclusive society.
Protecting indigenous languages, cultures, and ancestral lands is therefore not a concession to a minority; it is an investment in the country’s democratic values.
Nicholas Biswas is a Development Practitioner and recipient of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Media Award who can be reached at: gonomaddyom@gmail.com