Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord 25 Years Later: Indigenous Peoples Still at Serious Risk

Written on 30 November 2022.

On 2 December 1997, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord was signed, giving hope for lasting peace and development for the Indigenous Peoples of the CHT. However, today, as we mark the 25^th anniversary of the peace accord, Indigenous Peoples in the CHT in Bangladesh have experienced little to no peace or development.

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Like sorcerer's apprentices: the rejection of plurinationality in Chile

Written on 28 November 2022.

BY SALVADOR MILLALEO FOR DEBATES INDÍGENAS

The Constituent Assembly, born of the 2019 protests, spent two years drafting a new constitutional text that promised to be the most advanced in Latin America. A social state based on the rule of law, recognition of Indigenous Peoples and the inclusion of collective rights, the rights of nature and women's rights opened up a whole new perspective and generated hope in the region. Nevertheless, in the exit referendum (“plebiscito de salida”), two-thirds of Chileans voted down the new constitution, which would have overturned that inherited from Pinochet. Elitism, a lack of work on the ground and the poor popularity of the government and the Assembly members appear to be just some of the reasons for this defeat, which threatens to put a halt to human rights progress in the country.

Cover photo: Nuevos Papeles

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Indigenous women in Kenya fighting against gender-based harmful practices

Written on 29 November 2022.

The room is filled with singing voices, and I am annoyed with myself because I missed the opportunity to press record on my phone. It is moving to hear these voices because they followed a series of tough stories shared by the very women who are now dancing, laughing, smiling and singing loudly and strong.

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CEDAW adopts pioneer binding instrument on the rights of Indigenous women and girls

Written on 23 November 2022.

At its 82^nd session on 26 October, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted general recommendation No. 39 on the rights of Indigenous women and girls. This is the first time CEDAW calls on State parties to pay more attention to issues affecting Indigenous women and girls specifically and to take measures to comply with their obligations under CEDAW. The adoption of the recommendation is the result of a concerted effort by Indigenous women's organisations around the world and their supporters, including IWGIA. 

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