Editorial
Upholding the rights of indigenous communities
There cannot be any letup in this pursuit
THERE is little question that Bangladesh's indigenous people, like indigenous people elsewhere in the world, must be allowed to enjoy rights enjoyed by other communities across the globe. And that is the idea that has of late been advocated in this country, thanks to the relentless efforts made by conscious sections of the population. We are happy to note that at this point of time, the conditions in which our indigenous communities live and the positive change that ought to come into their lives are a subject that has drawn the attention of broad sections of our society. Evidence of such interest in the well-being of the indigenous communities comes yet once more through the launch of a book on indigenous people on Wednesday. Moreover, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission has been at work, with Britain's Lord Avebury being in Bangladesh at present to get his own perspective on the situation. It is such manifestation of interest that can go a long way toward strengthening the social bonds which unite people of various communities in this country.
We have always maintained that democracy means a system of politics where people exercise primacy. We might add to that and suggest that a sure test of how democracy works or how effectual it is can be gauged through the respect and rights a country accords to its minority groups, be they cultural or political or religious. In these past several years, we are happy to note that institutional efforts have been expended toward providing the indigenous people with the rights they ought to have enjoyed in the first place. The setting up of such institutions as district courts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is a significant instance of how a positive degree of rethinking has come into administration about an issue that can no longer be pushed aside as being of little consequence. And yet, even as we welcome such moves, we realise that problems related to rights to land still inhibit Bangladesh's indigenous communities as they try to create more space for themselves. It is an issue that calls for deft handling, to the satisfaction of the people concerned; and on that will depend the question of how enduring a comprehensive social order we build for ourselves in future.
There are a number of grievances that our indigenous peoples have consistently voiced, for decades. Matters such as developing social forestry and building of eco parks should not be detrimental to the indigenous people's interests and land rights. We can avoid the pitfalls through constantly emphasising the responsibilities we have toward every community in this country.
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