Government officials gain understanding indigenous people’s issues
Government officials have gained a better understanding of the issues facing indigenous and tribal people in Bangladesh with emphasis on the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
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Government officials have gained a better understanding of the issues facing indigenous and tribal people in Bangladesh with emphasis on the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
At an event held in Dhaka 12 August 2015, some 25 representatives from government ministries, Chittagong Hill Tracts institutions the army and police underwent training to strengthen their knowledge of legal and governance aspects as well as the cultures and livelihoods of ethnic peoples.
Areas covered included ILO Conventions and UN instruments concerning indigenous and tribal peoples’ rights as well as existing laws, policies, and traditional practices in Bangladesh.
Addressing the participants ILO Country Director Srinivas Reddy said A better and just future for indigenous peoples demands new and innovative approaches that enhance the visibility of indigenous peoples and pay attention to their concerns, needs and aspirations. Respect for their cultures, traditions and ways of life must be the foundation of the way forward. I hope this training will provide a good opportunity to discuss, debate and eliminate gaps in understanding many critical issues relating to indigenous and tribal peoples rights.
Organised by the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs in collaboration with ILO this was the eighth training event of a capacity building initiative aimed at improving the understanding and sensitivity of government officials about indigenous and tribal peoples’ rights and issues in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is home to around 3 million indigenous and tribal peoples from more than 50 ethnic backgrounds. They belong to the most disadvantaged sections of Bangladeshi society and face multiple challenges including economic, cultural, social and political marginalization. The indigenous and tribal peoples live predominately in the North and South-eastern parts of the country with the largest concentration found in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Taking part in the opening were Mr. Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing, MP, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Chittagong Hill; Mr. Naba Bikram Bikash Tripura, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and Srinivas Reddy, Country Director ILO Bangladesh.