Hill Voice, 29 April 2025, International Desk: Representative of Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum, Toni Chiran, has delivered statement on Agenda Item 5 (d): “Human Rights Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Annual review of Progress on the Implementation of General Recommendation No. 39 (2022)” on Monday (April 28) at the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

On behalf of the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum, including the diverse Indigenous communities of the Plains Regions and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), we express our gratitude to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) for their continued engagement with our issues, and for providing platforms through which our Indigenous voices can be heard.

I would like to highlight the urgent human rights situation faced by Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh. Despite constitutional obligations and international commitments, including under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), our Indigenous communities continue to face: Systematic land dispossession, including illegal land grabbing and militarization (Both in CHT and Plain Land) region, in violation of both domestic law and the CHT Accord of 1997. Lack of recognition of Indigenous identity and culture, as the term “Adivasi” is still officially denied by the Government. Marginalization from decision-making processes, including the denial of the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in development projects affecting our territories. Impunity for violence against Indigenous human rights defenders, including threats, arbitrary arrests, and attacks. Exclusion from national development policies, with limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

We commend the recent efforts of the Special Rapporteur and EMRIP to draw attention to Indigenous land rights, autonomy, and participation in global governance. However, we stress that more needs to be done to ensure these mechanisms effectively hold states accountable. In this context, we respectfully offer the following recommendations:

• To the Special Rapporteur: Undertake a country visit to Bangladesh to investigate and report on violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, especially regarding land, identity, and militarization in the CHT & Plain Lands. Issue a thematic report on the implementation of CHT accords and Indigenous autonomy and self-governance.

• To EMRIP: Provide technical assistance to Bangladesh in developing mechanisms for implementation of the UNDRIP, particularly regarding land rights and FPIC. Include Bangladesh as a priority country for dialogue in EMRIP’s annual thematic studies on participation and self-governance.

• To the Government of Bangladesh: Establish Separate Land Commission and Ministry for the Plain Land Indigenous Peoples and Fully implement the CHT Accord, including demilitarization and full functioning of the Regional and District Councils. Recognize Indigenous Peoples in the Constitution using the term “Adivasi”, as per international human rights standards. Ensure that all laws, including land laws and development policies, are aligned with UNDRIP and ILO Convention No. 107, which Bangladesh has ratified.

• To the Human Rights Council and Member States: Urge Bangladesh to cooperate with UN mechanisms, including responding to communications from the Special Rapporteur. Support the establishment of an independent national mechanism to monitor the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh.

In conclusion, we reaffirm that human rights dialogues must be inclusive, transparent, and centered on the experiences of Indigenous communities. Only then can we move from rhetoric to realization of our rights.