International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples being observed today

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples being observed today across the country, with indigenous rights groups and civil society organisations calling for stronger protection of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and community rights.

The day is being marked through rallies, discussions and cultural programmes in the capital and indigenous-populated parts of the country, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

A major programme is scheduled at Dhaka University’s Central Shaheed Minar from 10:00am, featuring a rally, discussion and cultural performances. Jyotirindro Bodhipriya Larma, chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and president of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, will chair the event.

The programme will bring together rights activists, lawmakers, academics, journalists and representatives of civil society organisations. Speakers include women’s rights activist Khushi Kabir, MP Anna Minj, academic Prof Dr Sukomal Barua, Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, senior journalist Sohrab Hasan and BLAST honourary executive director Barrister Sara Hossain.

This year’s observance places particular emphasis on safeguarding indigenous ways of life and traditional knowledge, amid growing concerns over the preservation of cultural identity and heritage.

The United Nations recognised August 9 as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in 1994. The day is now observed globally to promote the rights of indigenous communities and raise awareness of their social, cultural and economic contributions.

More than 370 million indigenous people live across over 90 countries, according to UN estimates.

In Bangladesh, the annual observance has become an important platform for indigenous communities and rights advocates to draw attention to issues ranging from cultural preservation and land rights to political representation and access to basic services.