Indigenous rights activists called for Bangladesh’s constitution to replace the terms “tribal” and “ethnic group” in Article 23A with “indigenous.” The demand was made on August 6 at a seminar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital, jointly organized by the Association for Land Reform and Development, Bangladesh Indigenous Forum and 17 national rights-based organizations. The seminar, titled “Indigenous Peoples: Life, Land Rights and Respect for Culture,” was chaired by ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda.

In a keynote paper, human rights activist Ilira Dewan recommended immediately activating the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission, creating a separate land commission for indigenous people in the plains, and establishing a national directorate for indigenous rights under the Prime Minister’s Office. She also urged rules protecting indigenous life and culture before tourism expansion, priority hiring of indigenous women health workers, and full implementation of the peace accord.

Speakers sought constitutional recognition, legal recognition of customary land ownership, a parliamentary indigenous affairs caucus, and indigenous representation in development projects. They said the land commission has received more than 27,000 applications under the 1997 peace accord, but meetings have not been held because of opposition from interested groups.