Land Rights of Aboriginal People in Bangladesh: A Legal Study

Abstract

The land rights of Aboriginal peoples in Bangladesh remain one of the most critical legal and socio-political issues in the country. This article presents a legal study on the status of land rights among aboriginal people, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and other plains regions. It critically analyses the constitutional provisions, national land laws, and customary practices. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and justice, Aboriginal peoples often face systemic challenges, including land dispossession, lack of recognition of customary tenure, inadequate legal enforcement and limited access to justice. This article explores judicial decisions, government policies, and land commission activities, highlighting the legal gaps and institutional failures that continue to marginalize Aboriginal communities. The study wraps up with a call for changes in the legal framework, stronger recognition of customary land rights, and the need for inclusive governance to ensure land justice for indigenous peoples in Bangladesh.