Indigenous leaders urge structural reforms beyond elections in Bangladesh, Nepal

By A Representative 

An international online discussion bringing together Indigenous leaders and youth from Bangladesh and Nepal has underscored the need for structural reforms and stronger recognition of Indigenous rights beyond electoral politics.

The roundtable, titled “Beyond the Ballot: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspective on the Elections in Bangladesh and Nepal,” was held on April 6, 2026. It was jointly organized by the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the International League of Peoples' Struggle Commission 10, and the Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network (AYIPN).

Participants emphasized that while elections remain important democratic milestones, they are only one aspect of a broader and ongoing struggle for ancestral land rights, constitutional recognition, cultural preservation, and self-determination.

Concerns Over Representation in Bangladesh

Speaking during the discussion, human rights activist Trijinad Chakma of the Kapaeeng Foundation argued that mainstream political parties often engage Indigenous communities during election campaigns but fail to address their fundamental concerns once in power.

According to Chakma, Indigenous representation in parliament frequently amounts to tokenism rather than meaningful advocacy for collective rights. He noted that while Bangladesh currently has two Indigenous members of parliament, key demands such as land autonomy, land reform, and constitutional recognition of Indigenous Peoples remain largely unaddressed.

Youth leader Aitizya Chakma said that although recent elections were viewed as comparatively free and fair, many Indigenous young people remain skeptical about whether political changes will translate into concrete improvements.

A major concern remains the incomplete implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord, signed to resolve decades of conflict in southeastern Bangladesh. The agreement included provisions for addressing disputes over Indigenous lands allegedly seized by state agencies, the military, and non-Indigenous settlers.

Aitizya Chakma also highlighted the limited participation of Indigenous youth in political decision-making and leadership positions, arguing that successive governments have failed to address longstanding inequalities and Indigenous rights concerns.

Nepal’s Political Shift and Indigenous Challenges

In Nepal, participants pointed to significant political changes that have challenged traditional power structures.

Shankar Limbu of the Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP) described recent developments as a historic shift away from centuries of political dominance by a single caste group.

He noted that youth-led protests demanding accountability, transparency, and an end to political nepotism have altered Nepal’s political landscape. However, despite Indigenous communities holding approximately 20 percent of parliamentary seats, substantial progress on Indigenous rights has remained limited.

Limbu argued that mainstream political ideologies often divide Indigenous movements and weaken collective efforts for self-determination. As a result, activists continue to focus on strengthening local communities and institutions.

Local Victories Offer Hope

Youth leader Subhalal Rai of the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN) emphasized the importance of protecting land, territories, and natural resources.

He cited a significant achievement in Sandakpur, where local authorities formally recognized an Indigenous customary conservation model. The recognition has been described by activists as a landmark step for traditional land stewardship and Indigenous conservation practices in Asia.

Call for Genuine Democracy

Speakers at the roundtable stressed that elections should not remain spaces dominated by political elites. Instead, they argued, democratic systems must prioritize Indigenous self-determination, land rights, and meaningful political participation.

The discussion concluded with a call for stronger regional and international solidarity among Indigenous communities. Participants maintained that the struggle for Indigenous rights continues long after elections are over and that genuine change requires sustained grassroots organizing and recognition of peoples’ right to self-determination.

“We, the Indigenous Peoples across the world, we are one people,” Shankar Limbu said, emphasizing the importance of collective action in advancing Indigenous rights and aspirations.