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Bangladesh: Perpetuating Impunity and Exclusion of Indigenous Peoples

58th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council
Geneva, 24 February – 4 April 2025
Agenda item 3- General Debate
Written statement submitted by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

On 5th August 2024, the government of Bangladesh led by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fell in the face of a massive anti-discrimination movement by the students. It was hailed as a revolution and an Interim Government headed by Dr Mohammed Yunus was sworn in. However, Indigenous Peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region and elsewhere have been facing increased human rights violations mostly with impunity under Dr Yunus government.

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IWGIA fears alarming impact of USA cuts on global human rights protections and Indigenous Peoples’ rights

Recent developments confirm that the U.S. government is making significant reductions in its financial contributions to the United Nations Human Rights system, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The scope of these reductions, while not yet fully detailed, is expected to have a severe impact on the UN human rights system.

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A letter to Chief Adviser, Interim Government of Bangladesh to take urgent action on violent attacks on Indigenous students

Honourable Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus,

We, the undersigned organisations and individuals, would like to bring to your attention, our concern on the recent violent attacks on the Indigenous student protestors during a peaceful protest in relation to the removal of an artwork from the back of a school textbook with the word “Adivasi” (Indigenous). The inclusion and recognition of Indigenous Peoples in the school textbook was an outcome of the movement led by Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh and a step applauded by many. We condemn the violent attacks on Indigenous protestors and urge for prompt justice for the victims and the restoration of the artwork in the textbook.

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CHT Commission Condemns Attacks on Indigenous Students, Demands Accountability and Action Against Perpetrators and Rising Extremism

17 January 2025 Ι The CHT Commission strongly condemns the brutal and violent attack on Indigenous students and their supporters on January 15, 2025, in Dhaka1. Furthermore, when a group under the banner “Aggrieved Student-Masses” organized a march on January 16, 2025, to protest the attack, the police responded with excessive force, including baton charges, water cannons, and sound grenades to disperse them2. We condemn both incidents and urgently demand justice, accountability for the perpetrators, proper medical treatment for the injured, and effective measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

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About IWGIA

IWGIA - International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs - is a global human rights organisation dedicated to promoting and defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Read more.

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Indigenous World

IWGIA's global report, the Indigenous World, provides an update of the current situation for Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Read The Indigenous World.

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E-mail: iwgia@iwgia.org
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