Pallab Chakma is an Indigenous rights leader from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, where decades of struggle have shaped his deep commitment to justice and self-determination. As Executive Director of the Kapaeeng Foundation—one of the country’s foremost Indigenous human rights organizations—Pallab has helped bring national and international attention to the realities facing Indigenous communities in Bangladesh.
At the heart of his work is a belief that policy must be shaped by the lived experiences of those on the ground. Whether documenting human rights violations or advocating for land rights at global platforms, Pallab works to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are not only heard but also recognized as key actors in shaping their own futures.
Under his leadership, the Kapaeeng Foundation has become a trusted source of data and analysis on Indigenous rights in Bangladesh. Its annual reports on violations serve not only as a tool for national advocacy but also as a means of holding governments accountable. For Pallab, data is political—it’s a way for communities to push back against erasure.
“If the government has its data, communities must have theirs.”
As Co-Chair of the Global Council of the International Land Coalition (ILC), Pallab has a clear mandate, push to center Indigenous perspectives within the coalition’s governance and priorities while also closely guiding the work of the coalition of Asian members. He played a key role in shaping the agenda of the Global Land Forum in Bogotá, including the inaugural Indigenous Peoples’ Land Forum. For him, cross-regional solidarity is vital. “What works in Latin America could inspire strategies in Asia,” he reflects.
Pallab is also clear-eyed about the internal challenges Indigenous movements face—particularly around capacity. He points to gaps in areas like communications, media engagement, and digital advocacy. For real change to happen, he argues, there must be greater investment in Indigenous-led organizations, not just in funding but in skills-building and long-term partnerships grounded in trust.
Leadership, for Pallab, isn’t about titles—it’s about listening, learning, and understanding the political landscape. “It must be built from the ground up,” he says. He’s especially vocal about the need to tackle gender inequality within Indigenous spaces. Creating space for women to lead, he insists, is not a favor—it’s a necessity. “If we count them equally, we can build movements where our sisters and mothers lead with us.”
With a clear vision and a commitment rooted in lived experience, Pallab Chakma continues to build bridges between local struggles and global conversations—anchoring Indigenous voices in the fight for justice, land, and dignity.