Press Release
Dhaka, 02 December 2025: Indigenous peoples in the plains and hill regions face corruption and irregularities in accessing government social security net programs. In food- and commodity-based schemes, beneficiaries are reportedly forced to pay bribes ranging from 500 to 10,000 taka. The research report “Inclusion of Indigenous People in Social Security Net Programs: Governance Challenges and Way Forward” by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also highlights reduced allocations, gaps in legal and policy frameworks, exclusion from expected benefits, and lack of transparency in beneficiary selection.
The report, presented at TIB’s Dhaka office, notes that Union Parishad members, chairmen, village police, and Upazila Social Services officials are involved in bribery. The press conference was attended by TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman; Adviser, Executive Management, Prof. Dr. Sumaiya Khair; Director of Research and Policy Muhammad Badiuzzaman; and the report was presented by Research Fellow Razia Sultana. The session was conducted by Director of Outreach and Communication Mohammad Tauhidul Islam.
One of the main preconditions for establishing peace is eliminating discrimination and ensuring the rightful rights of the concerned communities. Stating that it has not been possible to ensure their rightful entitlements under the social security net programmes for marginalized communities—especially Indigenous communities in the plains and the Chittagong Hill Tracts— TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “In each of the seven indicators of the study, deficits in good governance and transparency, and an alarming picture of corruption and irregularities, have been revealed. From this it is clear that the state is failing to ensure the rightful entitlements of Indigenous communities. Establishing equal rights is one of the key preconditions for establishing a discrimination-free and peaceful democratic society, and in that respect, it has not been possible to include Indigenous communities within the mainstream of social protection and security. Indigenous communities are revolving within a cycle of irregularities and corruption. This picture must be prevented. Due to weaknesses in policy frameworks and legal structures, the commitments made by the government have also not been implemented. The formulation of a Strategic Context Plan in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which was part of the government’s Five-Year Plan, and similarly the announcement of forming a separate Land Commission for Indigenous peoples of the plains, have not been implemented. These commitments made by the government must be implemented without delay.”
Indigenous peoples are positioned at the marginal level even among marginalized groups. Referring to the programmes conducted by the government, he said that there is a lack of rights-based sensitivity toward the problems of marginalized Indigenous communities. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “A kind of majoritarianism exists within the state structure. As a result, we do not see the realization or recognition of the rightful dues and rights of Indigenous communities. The discrimination based on the ‘we and they’ culture is not limited only to Indigenous peoples; its coercive practice is reflected in all spheres across religious, gender, ethnic, and socio-cultural identities under various standards. We are demanding Bangladesh’s ratification of ILO Convention 169 as soon as possible, along with constitutional recognition of Indigenous peoples’ right to self-identify as ‘Indigenous’. This will reflect the state’s commitment to realizing a discrimination-free Bangladesh. The demand for Indigenous peoples’ rights is not only the demand of Indigenous peoples, but the demand of all citizens of Bangladesh. If we want to establish a society of harmony and coexistence based on equal rights, it is not possible to do so by imposing discrimination through majoritarian power on any particular group.”
The research highlights corruption in food- and commodity-based programs. Under the lifelong old-age allowance, Indigenous people of the plains pay a one-time bribe of 500–10,000 taka, while those in the Chittagong Hill Tracts pay 2,500–6,000 taka. Similarly, in the WVB food-based programe, bribes range from 2,000–10,000 taka for plains Indigenous people and 2,000–6,000 taka for hill communities. The report also notes that the share of social safety in GDP has gradually declined from FY 2020-21 to FY 2025-26. Despite international recognition of Indigenous identity and traditional land rights under ILO conventions, Bangladesh has not ratified them.
The 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord partially recognized Indigenous land rights, but national law provides no recognition of traditional land ownership. Bangladesh’s Eighth Five-Year Plan (2020–2025) addresses issues only in the hill regions, leaving plains Indigenous peoples unprotected. The absence of a separate Land Commission has led to loss of inherited land and evictions. In hill areas, remoteness and limited staff pose challenges in verifying beneficiary lists. Indigenous representatives are largely excluded from planning and selection committees, and programs often overlook local needs and geographical diversity. Online applications are hindered by lack of internet, electricity, and mobile coverage in remote areas, while outreach remains insufficient due to geographical barriers.
Most of the 22 Union Parishad websites studied did not publish beneficiary lists or program information, and where available, the data was outdated. Instances of political favoritism were observed, with opposition supporters excluded, and cases reported where living beneficiaries were marked as deceased to select others.
To address these issues, the report makes 14 recommendations, including ratifying ILO Convention 169 for constitutional recognition and rightful entitlements of Indigenous peoples; explicitly prioritizing Indigenous communities in all social security program security guidelines with dedicated budget allocations; and simplifying application processes, birth registration, national ID issuance, and other documentation to make them Indigenous-friendly.
The qualitative study, conducted from June 2024 to November 2025, covered 11 districts across eight divisions, including eight plains and three hill districts. A total of 29 Indigenous communities were included—22 from the plains and 7 from hill regions.
Research document link: https://www.ti-bangladesh.org/articles/research/7390
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Email: tauhidul@ti-bangladesh.org
