ujana larma talukdar, on behalf of bangladesh indigenous peoples' organizations intervened on...
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13th Session of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous lssuesUN Headquarters, New York, 12-23 May 2014
Agenda Item 8:Future work of the Permanent Forum, including emerging issues
Joint statement byUjana Larma Talukdar
on behalf ofBangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (Umbrella Organisation)
Parb atYa "rlffi?Tl.iffi ffilati
S amiti
Maleya FoundationJum Chab Metta Foundation
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Madame Chairperson, ladies & gentlemen,
On behalf of the indigenous peoples' organizations of Bangladesh, I would like torecommend, for the future work of the Permanent Forum, to orgnanise series ofdialogues and consultations between the states and indigenous pioples regardingrecognition of identity and rights of indigenous peoples.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples stipulates,"Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own identity or membershipin accordance with their customs and traditions". However, many states around thegiobe, particularly in Asian countries, are reluctant to recognise the identity andrights of indigenous peoples. This rnakes indigenous peoples, particularly in Asiancountries, more marginalized and vulnerable.
For example, in the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution made in 2011, thegovemment of Bangladesh ignored the demand of indigenous peoples forrecognition of their fundamental rights including recognition of their identity as
indigenous peoples. However, the government of Bangladesh recognised cuitureof indigenous peoples in this fifteenth arnendment merely stating that "the Stateshall take steps to protect and develop the unique local culture and tradition of thetribes, minor races, ethnic sects and communities". The terminologies of "tribes,minor races, ethnic sects and communities" are not accepted to the indigenouspeoples.
It is crucial that the enjoyment of rights relating to culture is inseparably linkedwith the enjoyment of other rights of the indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples'
rights to culture are closely related to their right of self-determination, and theirlands, territories and resources. The culture of the indigenous peoples areinterdependent pillars on which the identity of a people is maintained. However,Constitution of Bangladesh does not mention anything about the rights ofindigenous peoples to land and resources, and their political, economic, culturaland social rights.
Against this backdrop, Permanent Forurn should take initiative to hold wide-rangedialogues and consultation between the states and indigenous peoples, particularlyin Asian countries, for the sake of peace building and conflict resolution aiming atensuring socio-economic development for Indigenous Peoples.
Thank you Mr. Chair.