E-inclusion and Media for Indigenous Peoples

Hari Kishore ChakmaStaff Reporter, Daily Prothom Alo

(Largest circulated daily in Bangladesh)

Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh

Chittagong Hill Tracts11 different ethnic indigenous groups with distinct cultural and linguistic traditions

The region witnessed active insurgency for more than two decades that ended with the Peace Accord in 1997

Distinct administrative set up : decentralized institutions (RC, HDCs, Circle Chiefs, etc…)

Indigenous peoples in CHT are some of the most marginalized groups in Bangladesh

Key activities / my involvement

Based in Rangamati

Regular feature reports on the region, and the indigenous peoples

Media mobilizations on the Indigenous Peoples issues

Challenges

ChallengesPrejudices and bias against IPs (noble savages…) and lack of awareness in media

Issues related to IPs often judged through political prism (BD abstained from endorsing the UN IP Declaration).

Lack of institutional support (though my paper is an exception)

What I intend to continue….

Dissemination and mobilization on the UN IP Declaration and IP rights

Sensitization on the IP issues and the CHT’s historical, cultural and administrative context

Seek collaboration/partnerships with media and other stakeholders on the IP issues