The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was observed in the country yesterday with the call for unity among different communities to fight for their rights.
Different organisations observed the day with day-long programmes of discussions, demonstrations and performances, where political leaders, human rights and cultural activists and teachers urged the government to ensure the rights of indigenous communities living in both the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the plain lands in the country.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF) organised an event at Central Shaheed Minar, which was attended by indigenous people coming from different parts of the country.
Addressing the event, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman referred to a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr: “Revolt is the voice of the unheard.”
“People revolt against the state when their voices go unheard, when the state neglects its citizens. I hope our state will take Martin Luther King’s quote to heart and take the side of the oppressed,” he said.
“If there is a culture of injustice and an absence of free expression in a part of society, it eventually spreads throughout the country. I request the state to be indigenous-friendly. They should be given their due rights and recognised by the constitution – not just in paper, but in reality.”
Indigenous rights activist Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, more commonly known as Santu Larma, said: “The government is on a way of exploitation. In order to be free from these suppressive acts, we have to be more active and united. We don’t want to live in such a condition that does not ensure our basic rights.”
He also mentioned a dialogue with the government about the rights of indigenous peoples. “We wanted to convince the government that we are citizens of this country and we want to live with dignity. However, the government seem to not understand or they do not want to understand.”
Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said: “Problems of the indigenous people should be resolved politically. There should be constitutional recognition and activation of land commission.”
The event was also addressed by Bangladesh Communist Party President Mujahidul Islam Selim, National Awami Party (NAP) President Pankaj Bhattacharya, Institute for Environment and Development Executive Director Numan Ahmed Khan, human rights activist Khushi Kabir, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, dramatist Mamunur Rashid, Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain and Professor Mesbah Kamal.
Meanwhile, Manusher Jonno Foundation arranged a two-day fair at the Bangla Academy premises which started yesterday.
