9 August 2015
Though the government of Bangladesh has no official arrangement to observe the Day, some social, political and cultural organisations as usual this year too will mark International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples on Sunday, August 9th.
Indigenous people of Bangladesh started this 2015’s celebration yesterday night by lighting one thousand candles at the “Central Shaheed Minar” in Dhaka. Following, “Bangladesh Adibashi Forum” will hold a rally, a procession and cultural programs from 10am, the whole day.
The slogan of this year’s program will be: “Post 2015 Agenda: Ensuring indigenous peoples’ health and wellbeing”, as declared by the United Nation. This year’s theme puts a spotlight on the issue of indigenous peoples’ access to health care services, as improving indigenous peoples’ health remains a critical challenge for indigenous peoples in States member of UN.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9th each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. This event also recognises the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection. It was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994.
The official logo of the “UN Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues” (Forum created by resolution in April 2010) was drawn by Rebang Dewan, a Chakma boy from Bangladesh. It features two ears of leaves facing each other and cradling the Earth globe. Within the globe is a picture of a handshake (two different hands) in the middle.
Previously published in: http://www.nelive.in/north-east/art-culture/bangladesh-celebrates-international-indigenous-day