'Design roadmap to implement CHT Peace Accord'
Expressing concern over the marginalisation process of the country's indigenous people, diplomats yesterday suggested holding dialogues with the government to address the longstanding issues affecting these communities.
Bangladesh Indigenous People's Forum (BIPF) also voiced a similar view saying that the gap between the indigenous people and the government had widened amidst lack of proper implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord.
At a seminar yesterday, they said grabbing of traditional land owned by the indigenous communities and backwardness in their financial and educational status had left most of them vulnerable.
Creating equal opportunities and ensuring their participation in the national decision-making process is crucial to help ensure their rights, they added.
The national seminar on “Implementation of indigenous and tribal peoples' rights in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities” was jointly organised by BIPF and International Labour Organisation (ILO) at the city's Hotel Lake Shore.
While indigenous people are marginalised in Bangladesh, administrative and policy challenges to bring them out of this bracket also exists, said Jan Moller Hansen, deputy head of mission of Danish embassy in Dhaka.
He suggested holding a national dialogue and designing a roadmap to implement the CHT Peace Accord.
Norwegian Ambassador to Dhaka Ragne Birte Lund also shared the same view.
BIPF General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong, Prof Mesbah Kamal, Prof Sadeka Halim, BIPF President Jyotirindra Bodhipriya alias Shantu Larma,ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Andre Bogui, Parliamentary Caucus on Adivasis Rashed Khan Menon, Swedish Ambassador Anneli Lindahl Kenny, European Commission's Charge de Affaires Milko Van Gool and National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman also spoke.
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