Although ethnic minorities harboured hope that a state without discrimination would be established following the July Uprising, those expectations have not been fulfilled. Instead, deprivation and fear continue unabated.
This opinion was expressed by speakers at a seminar titled 'Challenges of protecting land, forests and human rights of indigenous peoples: What the government and civil society can do'. The seminar was organised by the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) in the capital on Sunday.
The theme was 'Effective application of artificial intelligence in establishing the rights of indigenous peoples and shaping the future'.
Robaet Ferdous, a professor of communication and journalism at the University of Dhaka, lamented, "Although the theme talks about artificial intelligence, there are no quality educational institutions in the country for people of ethnic minorities. Even the United Nations does not understand their real situation.
"Even after the interim government came to power, attacks on ethnic minorities have not stopped. The constitution is moving towards more radical Bengalisation, religionisation and narrow-mindedness."
Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, said, "It is urgent to create a 'Reform Commission on Indigenous Affairs' to address the current situation."
Professor Ainun Nahar of the Department of Anthropology at Jahangirnagar University said, "The change that was expected after the political changeover did not happen. The government did not even mention the word 'indigenous'. When talking about indigenous rights, one has to face adverse reactions at government events, which has now become a cause for fear."
ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda said, "Common people must organise and resist mob violence. We cannot remain silent."
Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, said, "We must work to implement the 'four A' principles of the state to realise our rights and continue to protest against injustice."
Pallab Chakma, executive director of Kapaeeng Foundation, said, "This time, Indigenous Peoples' Day was celebrated with apprehension and fear. Recurring incidents of attacks and murders in the hills prove that there has been no change even after the uprising."
Ujjwal Azim, convener of the 'Samatal Adivasi Adhikar Andolon', raised several demands, including constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples, separate ministries and land commissions for ethnic minorities, as well as restoration of the 5% quota for indigenous people in government jobs.
ALRD Research Officer Ilira Dewan and Program Manager Rafiq Ahmed Siraji made some other demands, such as the release of people from the Bawm ethnic group who have been detained for a year for allegedly being affiliated with the Kuki-Chin National Front.
They also sought the appointment of a retired judge to resolve disputes, an end to land grabbing, maintaining pluralism to protect the culture of ethnic minorities, and including a promise of recognition of 'tribes' in the manifestos of all parties in the next elections.
Acting General Secretary of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Manindra Kumar Nath, also spoke at the event.
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