'Recognise indigenous land inheritance system'

 

(From left) Sanjib Drong, Dr Mizanur Rahman, Dr Dalem Chandra Barman, and Shahriar Kabir at a roundtable discussion on "Constitutional recognition of indigenous people: Right to land and forest" organised by Research and Development Collective (RDC) at Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday. Photo: STARStaff Correspondent

 

The indigenous people have inherited land through "collective property" system, which was not included in the constitution causing conflicts over their land, said Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission.

The indigenous people have been loosing their land and forests as vested property since the collective land system is not recognised in the '72 constitution, he said adding that the constitution has created concepts of individual property, cooperative property and state property.

Mizanur made the remarks at a roundtable titled “Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous People: Right to Land and Forests” organised by Research and Development Collective (RDC) at Jatiya Press Club.

Executive President of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee (forum for secular Bangladesh and trial of 1971 war criminals) Shahriar Kabir said if "Bismillah" is included in the preamble of the constitution it will be the implementing agenda of BNP and Jamaat.

RDC General Secretary Prof Mesbah Kamal said the country has failed to give the indigenous people recognition over the last 40 years.

Urging the government to give constitutional recognition to the indigenous people, General Secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Sanjib Drong said the state will be insulted and deprived if they insult and deprive the indigenous people.

Representatives from different indigenous organisations also spoke at the event while Professor of Peace and Conflict department of Dhaka University Dr Dalem Chandra Barman was in the chair.


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courtesy: the daily star