A daylong regional consultation programme on “ILO Conventions No.107 and 169 and Indigenous Peoples Issues in Bangladesh” was organized by ILO Dhaka Office in cooperation with the Kapaeeng Foundation on 7 November 2009 at Bandarban Hill District Council Auditorium, Bandarban, Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Mr Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, Chairman, CHT Regional Council, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was present as the chief guest in the programme. Ms Panudda Boonpala, Director, ILO Dhaka delivered welcome speech whilst Barrister Raja Devasish Roy, Chakma Circle Chief and Former Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor chaired the inaugural session.
The opening session was followed by three technical sessions on ILO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, implementation of CHT Accord, and Land Disputes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. A panel of experts presented key notes in theses sessions followed by designated discussion and open discussion. 70 participants from the three hill districts including public representatives, government officials, traditional leaders, UN organizations, human rights activists, cultural activists, lawyers, development workers, journalists, youth, women and students took part in the daylong event. The speakers urged for proper implementation of Convention No. 107 and ratification of Convention No. 169. They appraised ILO’s effort to create awareness and capacity building for greater inclusion of indigenous peoples in mainstream social, economic and political processes. Further, the participants sought support for dissemination of ILO instruments up to grassroots level and using ILO Conventions on indigenous and tribal peoples as a platform for dialogue on development issues concerning the indigenous people at all levels.
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