Indigenous communities in Bangladesh have long contributed to the country's independence, cultural diversity, and democratic stewardship, but they continue to face land dispossession, political marginalization, and the denial of their Indigenous identity. The government’s refusal to constitutionally recognize the term “Indigenous” limits the protection of collective rights, customary land tenure, and self-governance.

To address these challenges, the brief recommends fully implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord, recognizing Indigenous identity in the Constitution, protecting customary land rights, establishing a separate Ministry and land commission for Indigenous peoples in the plains, strengthening political representation ensuring reserve seats in the decision making process, expanding Indigenous language education, improving access to justice, and aligning national laws with international standards such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO Convention 169. It presents policy options for national and state governments, autonomous councils, Indigenous institutions, communities, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) member organizations, and development actors. It is part of a series that examines the political participation of Indigenous communities in Bangladesh, Northeast India, and Nepal.