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Bangladesh must end Land Grabs and Violence against Minorities

Bipasa Barman, 4, cries as her mother Sanchita Barman looks on in front of their vandalized house after Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami activists attacked a Hindu village in Jessore in this picture provided by Prothom Alo January 6, 2014. Reuters.

Minority Watch—

Bangladesh has long struggled with issues of political instability, ethnic tensions, and discrimination against minorities. In recent years, a combination of violent political clashes, land disputes, and systematic neglect of marginalized communities has led to widespread suffering. The Minority Rights Group International’s 2015 report paints a troubling picture of how these groups—indigenous peoples, Hindus, Christians, Rohingya refugees, Bihari Muslims, and Dalits—continue to face oppression and exploitation across the country.

Political Turmoil: Election Violence Targets Minorities

The year 2014 marked one of the most violent political periods in Bangladesh’s history. The January 5th national elections, described as the bloodiest in the country’s history, set the stage for targeted violence against minorities, particularly Hindus. Historically supportive of the secular Awami League, Hindus were subjected to brutal attacks, as polling stations were attacked and homes, shops, and temples were looted and burned. While the government blamed the opposition BNP and their allies, Jamaat-e-Islami, for the violence, many human rights groups criticized the government for failing to prevent or address the attacks.

Despite promises from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and assurances of justice, these promises fell short, and violence continued. The political divide between the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP has only exacerbated the situation, leaving minority communities vulnerable in a deeply polarized nation.

Indigenous Communities in Crisis: The Erosion of Land Rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

One of the most troubling issues facing Bangladesh’s indigenous peoples is the ongoing land seizure and displacement occurring in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). Known as the Jumma or Pahari people, the indigenous communities of this region have long struggled to protect their lands from encroachment by the Bengali Muslim majority. Despite the 1997 Peace Accord, which promised land rights and greater autonomy for indigenous groups, continued violence and settlement by Bengali settlers have undermined these protections.

In 2014, indigenous communities, including Chakma and Tripuri people, were forced to flee their homes after violent clashes with Bengali settlers. In December, Bengali settlers set fire to indigenous homes in Rangamati in retaliation for the destruction of crops. With little action taken by the government or military to intervene, indigenous groups find themselves under constant threat of displacement, and their land rights remain in jeopardy.

The government’s land commission, which was supposed to resolve land disputes, has failed to produce any results. Even after the passage of new laws to address land encroachment, the situation has not improved, leaving indigenous communities in an ongoing state of uncertainty.

Rohingya Refugees: Caught in the Crossfire of State Inaction

Another marginalized group facing oppression in Bangladesh is the Rohingya, a persecuted ethnic and religious minority from Myanmar. Between 200,000 and 500,000 Rohingya refugees have sought shelter in Bangladesh, living in overcrowded and unsanitary camps or informal settlements. The Bangladeshi government has taken a series of steps to address the situation, but with little success. In 2014, plans to repatriate thousands of refugees were announced, but details remained vague and the future of the Rohingya remained uncertain.

In September, after discussions with the Burmese government, the Bangladeshi authorities promised to repatriate over 2,000 Rohingya refugees. However, as of the end of the year, no real progress had been made, and the refugees continued to live in fear, with their status as asylum seekers further complicating their lives.

Bihari Muslims and Dalits: Vulnerability and Displacement in Bangladesh

Bihari Muslims, originally from the Indian states of Bihar and West Bengal, are another community facing systematic discrimination and displacement in Bangladesh. Many of the approximately 300,000 Bihari Muslims live in squalid conditions in refugee camps that were never intended to be permanent settlements. With no formal citizenship, many Biharis are considered stateless and are vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

In June 2014, tensions erupted when a mob attacked a Bihari settlement on the outskirts of Dhaka, resulting in 10 deaths and widespread damage. Local leaders believe the attack was fueled by politicians looking to seize valuable land that the Bihari community occupies. As the settlement areas become more attractive to investors, the pressure to displace the Biharis grows, leaving them without a permanent home or means of livelihood.

Similarly, Bangladesh’s Dalit community, who live in the most marginalized and impoverished conditions, also faces discrimination. Many Dalits live in urban slums, often working as manual scavengers or waste collectors. These individuals are subjected to systemic discrimination, which prevents them from accessing education, better jobs, or basic human dignity. While calls for anti-discrimination laws have been made for years, such efforts have stalled in Parliament, leaving Dalits vulnerable to eviction, violence, and economic hardship.

Sexual Violence and Land Grabs: The Plight of Indigenous Women

One of the most brutal aspects of the violence against indigenous communities in Bangladesh is the targeting of indigenous women. Sexual violence has become an increasingly common weapon used to terrorize entire communities, facilitating the displacement of indigenous peoples from their land. In 2014, at least 15 cases of violence against indigenous women were reported, including rapes and murders, with many cases involving perpetrators who were either state security forces or Bengali settlers.

These acts of violence are not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to clear land for Bengali settlers. Indigenous women and girls are frequently subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence, and these crimes are rarely prosecuted, leaving victims without justice. The systematic abuse of indigenous women highlights the vulnerability of these communities in a country where the legal system and political will to protect them are often lacking.

A symbolic image representing land grabs and violence against minorities, with a backdrop of a climate crisis. The scene includes a rural landscape with damaged homes and fields, symbolizing land seizures. In the foreground, a group of indigenous people and minority figures, including a woman, show expressions of concern and resilience. The sky is overcast, symbolizing environmental challenges like flooding or drought. The image conveys both the human toll of land grabs and the looming threat of climate change, with a focus on the struggles of marginalized communities.

A Nation in Crisis, Yet Hope for Change

The plight of minority and indigenous communities in Bangladesh remains a dire issue, with political violence, land seizures, and systemic discrimination continuing to impact millions of people. While the government has made promises of justice and protection, the situation on the ground has not improved. The lack of action in addressing land disputes, protecting the rights of refugees, and ensuring accountability for violence against minorities has left these communities vulnerable and without recourse.

The voices of marginalized communities are louder than ever, and grassroots movements continue to demand change. Civil society groups, indigenous activists, and human rights organizations are working tirelessly to raise awareness about the deep-seated issues that affect these communities. The international community, too, has a role to play in holding the Bangladeshi government accountable for its treatment of its most vulnerable populations.

The road to reform may be long, but there is still time for meaningful change. If the government truly commits to upholding the rights of all its citizens, implementing land rights protections, ensuring justice for victims of violence, and passing anti-discrimination legislation, it can begin to heal the divisions that have plagued the nation. While the current reality may seem bleak, the path forward can be brighter if there is a concerted effort from all sectors of society to create a more inclusive and just Bangladesh.

For the sake of its marginalized peoples, it is crucial that the nation not only confront its past but also embrace the potential for a future where every citizen, regardless of their background, can live with dignity, security, and equality. The hope for a better tomorrow lies in the collective will to bring about real change.

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