Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026
TRENDINGNEWS
Army Order Demolition of Jumma House in Bilaichari, Allegedly Plot Tourism Project by Evicting Jumma People PCP and HWF hold processions and rallies in Dhaka, CU, Bandaban and Rangamati on Education Day demanding quota reinstatement along with other demands Vehicles keep running despite strike of UPDF, threats to evict and shoot villagers A Marma teenager allegedly gang-raped in Ruma, the accused arrested PCP Kawkhali Conference Urges Students to Join Movement for CHT Accord Implementation Three high-level committees formed on CHT, questions raised Suspicious Death of Indigenous Santal Woman in Rupganj: Family Demands Investigation Infiltrated 9 Rohingyas detained in Longadu, who is bringing them? Army Order Demolition of Jumma House in Bilaichari, Allegedly Plot Tourism Project by Evicting Jumma People PCP and HWF hold processions and rallies in Dhaka, CU, Bandaban and Rangamati on Education Day demanding quota reinstatement along with other demands Vehicles keep running despite strike of UPDF, threats to evict and shoot villagers A Marma teenager allegedly gang-raped in Ruma, the accused arrested PCP Kawkhali Conference Urges Students to Join Movement for CHT Accord Implementation Three high-level committees formed on CHT, questions raised Suspicious Death of Indigenous Santal Woman in Rupganj: Family Demands Investigation Infiltrated 9 Rohingyas detained in Longadu, who is bringing them?
CHT Issues April 28, 2026

Bijubi Chakma delivers speech on Dialogue on Indigenous platforms at 25th session of UNPFII

Hill Voice, 27 April 2026, International Desk: Representative of CHT Indigenous Peoples’ Council of Canada (CHTIPCC) Bijubi Chakma has delivered her speech on agenda item 5(f): “Dialogue on Indigenous platforms established within United Nations entities [Interactive dialogue]” on 24 April 2026 at the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

The 25th session of the UNPFII started at the UN headquarters in New York on 20 April 2026 and will end on 1 May 2026.

Besides, three representatives of the PCJSS, namely, Chanchana Chakma, Augustina Chakma and Priti Bindu Chakma, are attending the session while Pallab Chakma, Secretary General of AIPP, Dr. Binota Moy Dhamai of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) and Toni Chiran of BIYF are also attending the session on behalf of indigenous peoples of Bangladesh.

In her statement, Bijubi Chakma said, “I am Bijubi Chakma speaking on behalf of CHT Indigenous Peoples’ Council of Canada. The Indigenous platforms established within the United Nations are the places where Indigenous peoples express and advocate for their rights without fear and threats. It strengthens Indigenous peoples’ rights as outlined in the UNDRIP. Indigenous peoples’ voices are muted by the dominant societies and authorities. The creation of platforms within UN entities is a pathway for our voices to be heard but there is still a long way for equity to be established for indigenous peoples.”

Then, she presented the following recommendations for the United Nations, in particular, the UNPFII:

1. UN Voluntary Funds should extend its financial help to not only the participants from the developing countries, to the participants from the developed countries too. For example, I have come from Canada. I have come here on my expenses though I am a student and unemployed. Many of my fellow friends from my community cannot come here because of financial and visa problems and fear of their safety. I try my best to represent those from my motherland although, financial barriers significantly impact Indigenous communities including the Jumma Peoples’ accessibility to speak on a large-scale platform such as the Permanent Forum.

2. UNPFII could facilitate congenial meetings between the conflicting parties of the same country while the forum goes on. For example, I am here today in regards to the Jummas people of Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti is our representing organization that has a conflict with the Bangladesh Government with regard to the CHT Accord implementation. The UN could lend a room for a dialogue between these two parties facilitated by the UNPFII.

3. World Bank could summit a report during the UNPFII each year relating to the situation of the conflict affected areas of the Indigenous inhabited regions and their actions.

4. UNPFII should explain some actions they have taken with the previous year’s statements presented by the Indigenous peoples in the UNPFII.

5. Some developments that take place each year in the Indigenous areas around the world should be presented by UNPFII during the event so that Indigenous peoples are able to see those tangible efforts that recognize and encourage our worths and dignities.