Indigenous peoples in Bangladesh experience persistent insecurity concerning land, political participation, and recognition of customary institutions. Official census data and estimates by Indigenous organizations differ substantially regarding the size of the population, reflecting differences in terminology, classification, and community coverage. 

This brief presents policy options concerning implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord, recognition of customary tenure, land dispute resolution in the plains, political representation, participation in development decisions, Indigenous language services, and the inclusion of Indigenous women and youth. It also considers how Bangladesh’s domestic arrangements could be brought into closer dialogue with international standards concerning Indigenous peoples’ rights.