“Many government officers are not even aware of the IPs’ land issues. In the case of the CHT, government institutions have been given the authority for execution of the mandate rights on land issues. However, these institutions failed due to the absence of elected representatives with adequate knowledge of indigenous peoples’ rights and aspirations.” It is also recommended that the salient points of indigenous peoples’ customary land ownership patterns and the relevant land laws be made part of the training module used by relevant government agencies. Many government officers are not even aware of the IPs’ land issues. In the cases of the CHT, the respective government institutions such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC) and the Hill District Councils (HDCs) have been given the supreme authority for coordination and execution of the mandate rights on land issues. However, those institutions have failed to manage land issues due to the absence of elected representatives with adequate knowledge of indigenous peoples’ rights and aspirations. To address these concerns, it is very important to strengthen the engagement with the state policy 22 makers for the betterment of the IPs through dialogues, workshops, seminars, and trainings to raise awareness and build the capacities of the respective institutions and officials. Moreover, prior framing or implementation of any IP-related issues is essential to ensure their participation and proper consultation as per the CHT Accord and the ILO Convention. Specific spaces or opportunities to claim the land rights of the Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh There are several entry points to pursue indigenous peoples’ land rights in Bangladesh under the national and international laws which have been ratified by the government. The Government of Bangladesh, for example, is committed to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to ratify the ILO Convention No. 169 on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. The parliamentary caucus on IP issues is also playing a proactive role in the protection of IP rights and is even formulating an act on Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples’ Rights. Another course of action is to take part in the strengthening of existing institutions such as the Ministry of the CHT Affairs, CHTRC, and HDC, and pushing for real recognition of the role of the traditional leaders, who can ensure the protection of indigenous people’s land rights. Recommendations Given the current situation in Bangladesh, it is recommended that the government: a. Ensure proper recognition of IPs in the constitution. Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC)