Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that many of the problems faced by Bangladesh's small ethnic communities could have been resolved if money was not laundered abroad during the previous government's tenure, reports bdnews24.com.
He reiterated his commitment to building a "prosperous, equitable, and discrimination-free Bangladesh".
He also said the BNP-led government is currently having to navigate what he described as a "terrible" situation.
The prime minister made these remarks on Thursday afternoon during a meeting with representatives of small ethnic communities at the Public Administration Hall of the Secretariat, said Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla.
The deputy press secretary said, "A delegation representing small ethnic communities met with [Tarique]. The representatives presented various issues affecting their communities, and the prime minister listened attentively to their concerns."
Describing the small ethnic communities as an "inseparable part" of Bangladesh, the prime minister said he and his government are working to build a country where no ethnic or national community faces discrimination.
"We want to build the Bangladesh that everyone aspires to by moving forward together. We do not consider anyone to be separate."
The delegation presented several demands, including establishing a Land Commission to resolve land ownership disputes affecting small ethnic communities in the plains, organising a National Convention for indigenous and marginalised communities, and replacing the term "small ethnic community" with identity based on individual ethnic groups.
They also demanded constitutional recognition to indigenous peoples and ending of the eviction of ethnic communities from settlements due to development projects or reserved forest declarations.
Another demand raised was expanding access to loans and financial services for members of small ethnic communities.
The prime minister said, "We are going through a terrible situation. The country's institutions and economy were destroyed by the fascist government. Around $16 billion was laundered out of the country every year. Had that money not been laundered, many of your problems could have been solved."
