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AL snub hurts indigenous people

Tiki Tam Tam

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May 15, 2006
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AL snub hurts indigenous people
bdnewsadmin | 30 June 2011 8:24 pm

Dhaka, June 30 (bdnews24.com)&#8212;An indigenous community leader has expressed outrage at the amended constitution not acknowledging their existence despite a campaign promise by the ruling Awami League.

He said no state can change the identity and culture of a community.

&#8220;We wanted to be recognised as indigenous, but the government has termed us tribal and ethnic minorities,&#8221; Sanjeeb Drong told bdnews24.com in his reaction immediately after the 15th amendment on Thursday.

&#8220;We&#8217;re disturbed, hurt and aggrieved,&#8221; Sanjeeb, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said.

The indigenous people have long been demanding that they be recognised as &#8216;indigenous&#8217; constitutionally.

Several other indigenous leaders, including Chakma Circle head Raja Devasish Roy and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti chief Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma or Santu Larma, have also been pressing for the recognition.

Rights activists and academicians also sought their constitutional recognition.

Sanjeeb also voiced his frustration saying that with the amendment, the ruling Awami League also &#8220;has backtracked from its election manifesto where it had termed us indigenous.&#8221;

He said such refusal was a violation of human rights and the United Nations laws.

The Awami League&#8217;s election manifesto, published ahead of the 2008 polls, states, &#8220;Terrorism, discriminatory treatment and human rights violations against religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous people must come to an end permanently.&#8221;

bdnews24.com/sn/pks/sam/bd/1715h
http://ns.bdnews24.com/blog/en/index.php/bdnadmin/683

What is the difference in 'indigenous people' and 'tribal and ethnic minorities' as is understood in Bangladesh?

Is it something like 'Adivasis' as in India?

What will be the political outcome of this snub?

And why the Awami League, if they had promised, not implement the same?
 
We need to get familiar with some history of the Chakma people here.

First of all, the Chakma and the Hmong tribes were some of the wealthiest tribes in the CHT region.

Back in the 60's (Pakistan era), the government wanted to build a hydroelectric dam. This required the filling of water in the lands the Chakmas and Hmongs inhibited. The government promised them compensation for the lands, but it never came. This dispute has been going on for 50 years. Even now, the grievances aren't addressed.

There are still issues in the region. And Hasina thought she can get a Nobel Prize for that? :rofl:

I really wish that those folks are compensated. And development decentralized throughout Bangladesh.
 
We need to get familiar with some history of the Chakma people here.

First of all, the Chakma and the Hmong tribes were some of the wealthiest tribes in the CHT region.

Back in the 60's (Pakistan era), the government wanted to build a hydroelectric dam. This required the filling of water in the lands the Chakmas and Hmongs inhibited. The government promised them compensation for the lands, but it never came. This dispute has been going on for 50 years. Even now, the grievances aren't addressed.

There are still issues in the region. And Hasina thought she can get a Nobel Prize for that? :rofl:

I really wish that those folks are compensated. And development decentralized throughout Bangladesh.

Thanks for this information.

Most educative.

However, what is the difference in the nomenclature that has caused the snub?
 
Thanks for this information.

Most educative.

However, what is the difference in the nomenclature that has caused the snub?

The AL saying that there is no such thing as indigenous people is really misinformed. The Chakma and Hmong tribes have been there for eons.

I am not surprised by the snub anyways. If the AL or even the BNP cannot address the important issues faced by the people of Bangladesh, then who's going to look after indigenous and minority rights?

All we have to do is wait until some strong leadership. The AL and BNP axis of leadership only think about themselves.
 

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