Latest news with #InternationalDayoftheWorld'sIndigenousPeoples
The Star
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
New projects must not encroach on native land
Saying no: Three native communities – Logan Entasan, Logan Kompeni and Sungai Brit A in Sarawak – protested the encroachment of the carbon-offsetting project on their land earlier this year. — Handout IN conjunction with the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples that was marked on Aug 9, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) would like to call on the federal and state governments to ensure that indigenous customary territories in the country are not included in any carbon-offsetting projects without the free, prior and informed consent of impacted communities. Central to this call is the principle that state governments and carbonoffsetting project proponents must not unilaterally determine the boundaries or size of indigenous customary territories, especially before it has been conclusively determined whether project areas overlap with community territories.
Bangkok Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Ethnic law a small win
Three days before the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Aug 9, parliament finally passed a law to protect ethnic minorities' way of life. For Thailand's indigenous communities, which have fought for this law for decades, this is a bittersweet victory. Its official name, the Ethnic Groups' Way of Life Protection and Promotion Act, omits the words "indigenous peoples" in the original draft spearheaded by the National Assembly of Indigenous Peoples. Nationalist politicians claimed Thailand has no indigenous peoples, and the term "ethnic groups" already covers the hill tribes. It does not. Most other ethnic groups in Thailand enjoy full citizenship and better living conditions. Many indigenous communities remain stateless, landless, and trapped in poverty. The erasure reflects the state's refusal to recognise cultural diversity. The education system indoctrinates the belief that Thailand belongs to the "Thai race". In this narrative, hill tribe members are outsiders, forest destroyers, drug traffickers, and national security threats. This prejudice enables forest authorities to evict forest communities that have lived there for generations. The bill's provision on the creation of "cultural protection zones" was also watered down. These zones would allow traditional ways of life, such as eco-friendly rotational farming, to continue without being treated as crimes. They could ease the long-running land conflicts between forest agencies and the hill tribes' peoples in protected forests. But opponents branded them a separatist threat, claiming they would put these communities "above the law". In truth, they would integrate their traditional knowledge into official conservation efforts. Although this provision remains, a cultural protection zone can only be established with approval from forest authorities. A near impossibility. The National Assembly of Ethnic Peoples, to be set up under the bill and funded by the state, will be the main platform for communities to protect their cultures and push for policy change. The law also calls for nationwide data collection on ethnic groups as a basis for policymaking and public participation. These are real gains. Still, the limitations are clear. Stateless people remain excluded because the law defines ethnic groups as Thai nationals. Land rights conflicts remain unresolved. Forest officials keep their sweeping powers. The nationalist ideology that denies Thailand's cultural plurality remains intact. That said, the law matters. For the first time, indigenous and ethnic communities have legal standing in national policy and an official platform to speak out. They have achieved this through years of organised struggle, building alliances with other ethnic groups, learning to navigate the political system, and refusing to be silenced. Thailand is home to more than 60 ethnic groups, with a total number of six million people, or one-sixth of the population. Many live in forests, and their traditional knowledge is vital to protecting our ecosystems. Around the world, indigenous peoples are recognised as frontline defenders of the environment. In Thailand, they have had to fight simply to exist in the eyes of the law. This bill is not the end of that fight. Prejudice still poisons public attitudes. The forest bureaucracy still sees local communities as threats to its authority. But this law gives indigenous peoples legal tools they have never had before. Although small, it is an important step solid enough to build on.
Observer
a day ago
- General
- Observer
One Earth and all of us
We can debate whether our planet is green or blue because that is what we do when we have a mind - an entitlement of opinion. And if we think that all people are the same, we could be mistaken. Our sentiments vary, and so do our needs. Approximately 476 million people across 90 countries are considered indigenous, representing over 5,000 distinct groups and a majority of the world's languages. In order to raise awareness of the needs of the indigenous population groups, every August 9, the world commemorates the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This date was adopted in December 1994 by UN General Assembly resolution 49/214, and it marks the date of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Geneva in 1982. It was that long ago. It has played a crucial role, as one way or another, we learn more about the Indigenous people of the world. They make sacrifices to keep their identity and preserve their ancient wisdom. This year's theme also caught up with the current trend: 'Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures." Sometimes it can leave us confused. What makes this set of people be defined as indigenous? One of the first aspects is that they have historical continuity because they have a long-standing connection to their ancestral lands and territories. What also stands out is their distinct identity. This is because they maintain unique languages, cultures and social structures. Experts point out that they are usually a non-dominant sector, as they often form a minority group within the broader society. The fascinating part is that the indigenous peoples possess specialised knowledge about their environments and ecosystems, but they are also vulnerable, and they often face marginalisation, poverty and human rights abuses in some parts of the world. What studies show us is that they play a vital role in managing and conserving significant portions of the world's land and natural resources. According to Unesco, the indigenous peoples live in all regions of the world and own, occupy, or use some 22 per cent of the global land area. Unesco states that, "Numbering at least 370-500 million, Indigenous Peoples represent the greater part of the world's cultural diversity. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world's estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures." Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples. Many indigenous peoples continue to be confronted with marginalisation, extreme poverty and other human rights violations. The reality is that indigenous peoples live in all regions of the world, from the Americas to the Arctic, Africa, Asia and Australasia. The question is, how do they keep the traditions intact with so much modernisation around them? The question is even more important when we realise land is often challenged. Indigenous peoples often experience displacement from their ancestral lands due to development, resource extraction, and other factors. It also makes us wonder, then, about the status of the indigenous population of Palestine and in all other war zones. And not to forget about other tribes that might have been scattered and erased. The world today is a global village, and a trend that we have seen from that is how we are becoming more and more similar. We seek a common identity to merge together, and the life on the World Wide Web has made it possible. We even shop online together for the same products from popular and established online stores. Amongst all this globalisation, the indigenous people maintain their identity, even though they often suffer from marginalisation and discrimination, especially exclusion from decision-making processes. Such circumstances lead to other challenges such as poverty and access to basic services such as health and education. Should they be left behind? Human rights violations have been recorded throughout history. It is amazing that we are still able to experience the cultures. But there is a danger of losing language and culture. In Oman, too, there are dialects that are used in particular places, such as Jabali in the mountains of Dhofar and Harsousi in Jiddat Al Harasis in Al Wusta Governorate. These dialects and traditional knowledge of different communities, such as traditional medicines or rose water making of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, are national treasures. The indigenous people are also going through what others are facing, too, and that is the impact of climate change, and these include sea-level rise, desertification and extreme weather events that would force people to migrate. The world sees migration of people to make a living for their families, crossing lands and seas. Could this be one of the biggest challenges for the preservation of indigenous cultures?
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Urgent action needed to protect indigenous land rights in Malaysia
AS THE world commemorates the 2025 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Aug 9, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) joins the global community in reaffirming our commitment to protect the rights, dignity and heritage of Indigenous communities in Malaysia. This year's theme, 'Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Future,' reminds us that while technology holds promise, it must not deepen existing inequalities. Land - The soul of indigenous identity For Malaysia's Indigenous Peoples, the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, land is not merely a resource. It is the life of their culture, identity and survival. Yet, in 2025, land dispossession continues to uproot communities and erode centuries of heritage. Despite legal protection in our Constitution, statutory provisions, and Malaysia's endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Indigenous communities continue to struggle for the recognition and protection of their customary territories. Article 26 of UNDRIP affirms that Indigenous Peoples have the right to the lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired. Article 27 further obligates states to establish impartial and transparent mechanisms for recognition and adjudication of Indigenous land claims, consistent with their customs, traditions and land tenure systems. Yet, implementation remains sorely lacking. From inquiry to action The 2013 National Inquiry into the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples, conducted by Suhakam, laid bare these injustices. Over 6,500 Indigenous individuals gave testimony through public consultations across 23 districts, 892 recorded statements and 57 submissions from indigenous organisations, government agencies, and civil society groups. The Inquiry gathered issues revolving around land encroachments, forced evictions, and a troubling absence of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in developments affecting their lands. Eleven years on, the root problems persist. Without secure land, Indigenous communities lose access to forests, rivers, food, and spiritual spaces. The impacts extend beyond physical displacement, causing cultural loss, food insecurity, and disempowerment. Among the Inquiry's 18 recommendations were recognition of customary rights to land, establishing grievance mechanisms, mandating FPIC, and creating an independent National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. As of today, much of the report's spirit remains unfulfilled. Legal and policy gaps still persist Malaysia's legal framework, including the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 and the land codes in Sabah and Sarawak, does not adequately recognise Indigenous native customary land rights (NCR). Key concepts such as pemakai menoa, pulau galau and kawasan rayau remain unrecognised and uncodified in law. Despite favourable court decisions like Nor Nyawai, Sagong Tasi and Adong Kuwau, affirming recognition of NCR, the failure to integrate these rulings into administrative procedures has perpetuated legal uncertainty. Institutional gaps Institutions tasked with safeguarding the well-being of the Orang Asli, notably the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), are under-resourced, lack transparency, and have poor coordination between federal and state authorities. Indigenous land claims are frequently delayed, mishandled, or ignored altogether. Ignoring consent, ignoring rights One of the most significant findings of the inquiry was the widespread violation of the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Development projects, from plantations and logging to infrastructure expansion, have frequently proceeded without meaningful consultation or community consent. This undermines Indigenous Peoples' right to self-determination and violates Malaysia's commitment under international law, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which mandates the FPIC of indigenous peoples for any project affecting their territories. The consequences are devastating: environmental degradation, cultural erasure, and forced displacement. AI to empower, not to erase The denial of land rights has cascading impacts on the right to food, housing, and self-determination. Without land, Indigenous communities lose access to forests, rivers, and resources that are vital for their survival. Climate change, deforestation, and commercial encroachments are further threatening traditional food systems and eroding traditional knowledge, passed down through generations. As Malaysia embraces digitalisation, it is critical that these technologies are not used to further exclude Indigenous Peoples' voices or erase ancestral claims. AI-driven land mapping, and automation in land registries must be designed inclusively, respecting traditional knowledge and community participation. Technology must be harnessed to empower Indigenous communities, to document their histories, protect sacred sites, improve participatory land governance, and preserve culture and languages. A call to action Over a decade ago, Suhakam released the National Inquiry Report, and its findings remain as relevant and urgent as ever. Despite the Government's formal acceptance of 17 out of 18 recommendations, progress has been slow and fragmented, reflecting a wider lack of political will to place Indigenous rights at the forefront of national priorities. In commemorating this year's International Indigenous Peoples Day, Suhakam renews its call for the Government to: - Develop and implement a comprehensive National Action Plan on Indigenous Rights and enshrine constitutional recognition to safeguard the dignity, identity, and rights of the Indigenous Peoples; - Establish an Independent National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, as recommended under Recommendation 18 of the National Inquiry, with a mandate to advise on legislation, monitor development, and represent the voices of Indigenous communities; - Amend Article 153 of the Federal Constitution to explicitly recognise the Orang Asli as equal beneficiaries of constitutional protections and affirmative action measures alongside the Malays and the Natives of Sabah and Sarawak; and - Harmonise Federal and State-level laws and policies, especially regarding the gazettement and legal protection of ancestral and Indigenous customary lands. The protection of Indigenous land rights is not a matter of policy convenience; it is a question of justice, dignity, and survival. Governments have a moral and legal duty to safeguard the lands, resources, and cultures of Indigenous Peoples, in accordance with international human rights standards. As UNDRIP's Article 8(2) affirms: States must prevent and redress any actions that aim to dispossess Indigenous Peoples of their lands, territories, or resources. The time for action is now, before more of what is irreplaceable is lost forever. PAREMESWARI SUBRAMANIAM Principal Assistant Secretary, Policy Division, Suhakam
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJD slams State govt for not observing World Tribal Day
Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) criticised the Mohan Charan Majhi government in Odisha for not observing the World Tribal Day, officially known as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The BJD celebrated the day at its party office here. Holding a press conference, senior BJD leader Sudam Marndi said the entire world is celebrating the day, but the Odisha government neither observed the day nor did the Chief Minister issue a statement for the tribals. 'Though the Chief Minister belongs to the tribal community, he did not issue a message for the tribals on this day, which is highly unfortunate,' Marndi said. While the day is being celebrated in a massive way in neighbouring West Bengal, no programme was organised in Odisha, he said. Another tribal BJD leader, Mangala Kisan, alleged that the indigenous people in the State are facing extreme neglect under a tribal Chief Minister, and the government is only busy telling lies. The government had promised the economic and social development of the tribals, but it has taken several decisions that went against the community, he claimed. The BJP government in the State slashed the budget of the Tribal Development department and stopped the stipend of tribal students, Kisan alleged. If the government does not change its approach towards tribals, there will be severe protests in the coming days, he warned.
