Hill Voice, 16 July 2025, International Desk: Representative of the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum, Toni Chiran, urges the government of Bangladesh to recognize Indigenous Peoples and their right to self-determination, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in Bangladesh, which is enshrined in United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) during the deliveration of statement at the 18th session of the Expert Mechnism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) on Wednesday (July 16).
Mr. Chiran delivered his speech on agenda “item 5: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Interactive dialogue with UNPFII, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples and members of the United Nations Treaty Bodies”
The 18th session of the EMRIP began on Monday (July 14) at the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva, Switzerland. The session will continue until July 18. Augustina Chakma of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti, Monira Tripura and Tony Chiran of the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum are participating in the 18th session of the EMRIP.
On behalf of the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum, Toni Chiran welcomed this interactive dialogue and reaffirm the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a vital framework for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples globally, including in Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, Indigenous Peoples continue to face challenges in realizing their rights to land, self-determination, cultural identity, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Despite the commitments under UNDRIP and Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights treaties, Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the plains frequently experience land dispossession, lack of adequate consultation, and barriers to justice and address land disputes in a transparent and participatory manner, and ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights are respected following UNDRIP and recommendations from the United Nations Permenent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), the Special Rapporteur, and relevant Treaty Bodies.
Mr. Chiran further called on the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples to continue supporting Indigenous representatives from Bangladesh to meaningfully participate in UN mechanisms and share their lived experiences and aspirations.
He urged EMRIP, UNPFII, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UN Voluntary Fund, and UN bodies to urge the government of Bangladesh to recognize Indigenous Peoples and their right to self-determination, FPIC in Bangladesh, which is enshrined in UNDRIP; to enact the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (BIPRA); to form a ministry for Indigenous Peoples Affairs in Bangladesh; to fully implement the CHT Accord of 1997 and to establish a separate land commission for plain land Indigenous peoples,
Finally, Toni Chiran urged all stakeholders to strengthen accountability and ensure that Indigenous voices are heard and respected in national policies and development plans, and to organize a meaningful dialogue between Indigenous peoples and the Government on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.
