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Bangladesh: Global campaign seeks 100,000 voices for peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
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5 January 2010
Since the start of armed conflict in the 1970’s, the indigenous Jumma peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, have suffered from military oppression, violence, massacres and land grabbing by settlers. The “Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord” signed by the government and the indigenous peoples in December 1997 promised regional autonomy and safeguards for the legitimate rights of the indigenous peoples. However, there has been little progress in its implementation for more than ten years. The new Awami League government that came to power in 2009 has promised full implementation of the CHT peace accord in its election manifesto. An international coalition of indigenous peoples and non-governmental organisations is calling on the international community to support a lasting solution. Please sign this petition and deliver your message for peace to the Bangladesh government.
 Visit web site and sign the petition (cht-global-voices.com)
Download petition blank (MS Word) |
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Indonesia: Government likely to accept tribal communal rights
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5 December 2009
The government is likely to recognize communal rights and the crucial role of tribal people in environmental management and protection, says State Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta.
Speaking at a workshop on communal rights jointly organized by the State Environment Ministry and the Alliance of Archipelagic Indigenous People (AMAN) here on Thursday, Hatta said that recognizing communal rights was crucial to understanding the communal rights of tribal communities and ending frequent conflict between tribes and mining and forestry companies nationwide.
So far, the Forestry Ministry and the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry have ignored communal rights by issuing mining permits and forest concessions.
Read more (The Jakarta Post)
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Bangladesh: Peace lies in roadmap
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2 December 2009
Twelve years into signing a peace agreement that ended over two decades of armed struggle by the indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts, the hills people are still dissatisfied over non-implementation of some vital provisions.
Read more (The Daily Star) |
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Malaysia: Penan Leaders Proclaim Tropical Forest Reserve In Borneo
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1 December 2009
Seventeen indigenous Penan communities have proclaimed a new tropical forest reserve on their native lands in the jungles of Borneo. In an official opening ceremony held last week at the remote jungle village of Long Ajeng in the upper reaches of the Baram river, the Penan leaders unanimously declared their intention of conserving their last remaining primeval forests as a nature reserve. The Penan wish to develop tourism in their region and insist on the protection of their native customary rights.
Read more (indigenouspeoplesissues.org) |
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Indonesia: ILO pushes government on customary land rights
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28 October 2009
The government must ratify Convention No. 169/1989 on Indigenous and Tribal People, to put an end to frequent conflicts between customary communities and corporations regarding land use, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and an alliance of indigenous people said Wednesday.
A senior specialist on international labor standards from ILO New Delhi, Coen Kompier, said the convention provided broad principles for the government to regulate the rights of ownership and possession over lands traditionally occupied by customary communities.
Read more (The Jakarta Post) |
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Malaysian native leader detained over anti-logging protests
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24 October 2009
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian police said Saturday they had arrested a native leader who set up roadblocks in Borneo to stop a logging firm from encroaching on their ancestral land.
Ondie Jugah, 55, from the Iban indigenous group, was among a group of 10 people who have mounted a blockade since early this week in the interior of eastern Sarawak state, on Borneo island.
Police said Ondie was detained late Friday after he refused to remove the blockade, following complaints filed by the logging company.
Read more (Google news) |
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Philippines: Hunger Besets Cordi Communities in the aftermath of typhoon Pepeng
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14 October 2009
In the aftermath of supertyphoon Pepeng which struck the indigenous communities of the Cordillera region, organisations of indigenous peoples are calling for increased support and donations for the victims. In their fourth update they write:
Cordillera communities in the Philippines are now faced with hunger resulting from severe landslides, crops damages, and isolation brought about by Typhoon Pepeng. [...] Donations have poured in but much more is needed. At this time, food and medicines are most needed by the typhoon victims. We welcome any form of support but as much as possible, we encourage cash donations as priority due to the urgency of the communities' needs. The roads going to most of the areas needing relief remain impassable due to huge landslides. Some of these are totally isolated. We were only able to service some communities in Baguio City and Benguet province and we are anticipating requests for relief and medical missions anytime from the other provinces of the region which were also devastated by the typhoon. Thus, more needs to be done. We acknowledge donations received and report back what communities these served.
Read the fourth update (PDF) |
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Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission publishes report on 3rd Visit to Bangladesh
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5 October 2009
The international Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission carried out its third mission to Bangladesh August 10-18, 2009. In its report from the mission, the CHT Commission puts forward recommendations to the Government for immediate consideration focusing on developing a time-bound action plan for the implementation of all provisions of the CHT Peace Accord, solving the land disputes in an appropriate manner, enhancing the powers of the civil administration in the CHT and protecting human rights and ensuring access to justice in the CHT.
Download the report (PDF)
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India: Escalating political repression and reign of fear in Manipur
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18 September 2009
The escalating political repression and reign of fear in Manipur, India needs urgent international support. Seven known activists of United Manipur Club Organisation (AMUCO) and an eco-activist Mr. Jiten Yumnam were arrested on 14th September by the combined team of Imphal west police commandos and the Singjamei police. Their crime is nothing else but exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms by drawing national and international attention to the murder with impunity of Mr. Chungkham Sanjit and Ms. Thockchom Rebina (who was pregnant) by state forces and the public outcry in the state following this gruesome incident that took place last month.
Sign on to the on-line petition |
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Malaysia: Arrest of 15 indigenous representatives in Sarawak
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18 September 2009
On September 16, 2009, 15 representatives from indigenous communities in Sarawak were arrested by Kuching police. They were arrested while waiting for an endorsement of a document to be delivered to the office of the Chief Minister. The document was a protest against two major hydro electric dams being built in their areas without the free, prior and informed consent of the communities affected and without due regards to the status of the native lands involved.
Read the press release by JOAS |
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Malaysia: Rape and Sexual Abuse of Penan Girls in Baram, Sarawak
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11 September 2009
In September 2008, news broke out that Penan girls, some as young as 10 years, were being sexually abused by logging workers in the Middle Baram area of Sarawak. However, local politicians and the police were quick to dismiss these as mere allegations without any basis.
Such lackadaisical attitudes compelled the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to establish a National Task Force comprising ministry officials and women NGO representatives to investigate the ‘allegations’. Aided by local activists in Sarawak, they were able to meet with some of the victims and their families in November 2008.
Read full press release |
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Losing Ground: Forced Evictions and Intimidation in Cambodia
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10 September 2009
Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee have just released "Losing Ground: Forced Evictions and Intimidation in Cambodia". It is a report about the deteriorating conditions for land rights and freedom of speech in Cambodia. One of the 7 key bases of an indigenous community. The key cases illustrate the trends and issues that are affecting all rural Cambodians - in particular, indigneous peoples.
Download the report in PDF format |
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Third Mission of the International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission
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24 August 2009
The international Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission carried out its third mission to Bangladesh August 11-16, 2009 to assess the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.Commission members met with government representatives, brigade commanders , senior police officers, politicians and civil society leaders, including both indigenous and Bengali representatives.
Read the press statement |
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bdnews24.com: Army to begin "biggest withdrawal" from CHT
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29 July 2009
The Bangladesh government has announced the "biggest withdrawal" of army troops from the Chittagong Hill Tracts since a peace accord was signed over a decade ago in an attempt to bring stability to the long-troubled region.
Read the article on bdnews24.com
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Mindanao, Philippines: Death and Displacement - GMA’s Legacy to the Indigenous Peoples
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27 July 2009
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Indigenous Peoples leaders gathered at the Manresa Retreat Conference Center blasted this government’s obsession with opening ancestral domain lands to corporate plunder. “There is an integral link between ancestral domains and our life, culture and livelihoods, but to the government our resource and biodiversity rich lands are only seen as sources for profit. We will remember the Arroyo administration for the rapacious greed that has brought deprivation, dislocation, and death to lumad communities”, lamented Dulphing Ogan, secretary general of Katawhanung Lumad sa Mindanao. Frustrated that the plight of indigenous peoples in the Philippines had never been reflected in any of President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Addresses (SONA), indigenous peoples leaders have come together to hold their own State of Indigenous Peoples Address (SIPA) with the theme “Continuing the historical struggle for the right to self determination”.
Read more (MindaNews) |
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Bangladesh: Long march by indigenous people to protest attacks
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27 July 2009
Over two hundred members of the indigenous community yesterday began a two-day long march across 55 kilometres from Porsha upazila to Naogaon town yesterday to protest attacks on indigenous families. The march was organised under the banner of Jatiya Adibashi Parishad (JAP) after a gang led by Nur Hosssain Master of Soraigachhi attacked the houses of some 74 families including 54 indigenous families at Katirpur on June 12.
Read more (The Daily Star) |
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Jarawa: 'Are we here just for your amusement?'
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25 July 2009
Our increasing demand for adventure is pushing back the frontiers of tourism, but is it also posing a threat to tribal people?
Read more (the Guardian) |
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Human Rights Watch: India, End Manipur Killings
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17 July 2009
(New York) - The Manipur state government in northeastern India should act to end a cycle of unpunished violence, including killings, by security forces and armed groups, Human Rights Watch said today.
Human Rights Watch said that urgent action is needed by the Indian government to support this process by repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which has facilitated serious security force abuse for many years. A government-appointed review committee recommended the repeal in 2004, but the government has yet to act.
Read more (hrw.org) |
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| Philippines: Mining disaster in Benguet |
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16 July 2009
A recent environmental disaster took place in Mankayan, Benguet where the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company has been operating since 1936. On June 5, 2009, a massive 50-meter ground subsidence occurred during the height of the monsoon rains. This was followed by series of sinking until July, reaching up to 10 more meters of land subsidence. Residents have already been evacuated and the Mankayan National High School is being relocated. Mankayan has been put under a state of calamity. The security of the people of Mankayan is an urgent concer. Immediate humanitarian aid and response is needed, and the indigenous organisation Cordillera Peoples Alliance appeals to all individuals, organizations and sectors to help save Mankayan.
Lepanto: Shattering its Own Myth of Safe and Responsible Mining
Enough of the Disasters! Save Mankayan from Further Environmental Destruction! (CPA press statement of 16 July 2009)
CPA Supports Call for Independent Investigation in Mankayan Ground Subsidence (3 July 2009)
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BBC: Land grab in Cambodia
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9. Juli 2009
150,000 Cambodians are reported to be facing eviction from their land. Huge tracts of the country have been granted to private companies for large scale agriculture or other purposes. Some of those who have tried to resist say they have been attacked or threatened.
Listen to the full BBC report
Download the report in mp3 format |
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Bangladesh: Peace still a far cry in the hills
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30 June 2009
THE Awami League Election Manifesto of 2008 said -- "The 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord will be fully implemented. More efforts will be directed towards the development of underdeveloped areas, and special programmes on priority basis will be taken to secure rights of the ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and other communities, and to preserve their language, literature, culture, and unique lifestyles." Unfortunately during the last six months of the present government, there have been no significant initiatives to implement the CHT Accord.
Read more (The Daily Star) |
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Bangladesh: Students protest to save indigenous land
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19 June 2009
Members of Bangladesh Marma Students Council (BMSC) yesterday formed a human chain at Muktaman-chha in Khagrachhari town protesting settlers' alleged attempt to grab indigenous people's lands at different places in Chittagong Hill Tracts. On Sunday last, a clash between settlers and indigenous people over a land dispute at Boroitali in Khagra-chhari district left 17 settlers seriously injured. Later, the Marma students submitted a memorandum to the state minister for CHT Affairs Ministry through Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah demanding immediate steps to stop alleged settlers' bid to grab 300 acres of land at Boroitali in Guimara of Khagrachhari district.
Read more (thedailystar.net) |
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Bangladesh: Land Commission fails
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8 June 2009
Full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord remains uncertain as the Land Commission formed to resolve land disputes in CHT is yet to be made functional 11 years after its inception. As per the peace deal signed in 1998, the then Awami League government formed a five-member CHT Land Commission for resolving the land related disputes in CHT. As the successive governments failed to take proper steps to make the commission functional, land settlement process in CHT faces serious hindrance and a large number of applications from both Bangali and indigenous people have remained piled up at the offices of concerned circle chiefs and deputy commissioners, sources said.
Read more thedailystar.net |
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New book out: Land, People and Politics
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Land is the centre of most conflicts in Northeast India because of its importance in the life of the people of the region, particularly its tribal communities. It is also the resource most under attack, in the tribal areas in particular. This book is an attempt to understand the processes that result in tribal land alienation and the consequent conflicts in the region. The essays in this book attempt to disaggregate the received knowledge on land use systems in Northeast India, by using a mixture of ethnography and archival data.
Read more and order |
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Bangladesh: Thousands have had to leave country
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16 May 2009
An organisation working with indigenous people claimed that around 50,000 adivashi people were forced to leave the country due to harassment and repression during the last decade. The Adivashi Manobadhikar Report 2008 claimed that non-adivashi people were relocated to the hilly region under a political scheme of "population transfer" and they contributed to the harassment and repression of the indigenous people.
Read more |
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Photo: Ashrai |
Malaysia highest court affirms tribes' land rights
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5 May 2009
Malaysia's highest court has affirmed a ruling granting land rights to indigenous people that could help them resist oil and logging companies razing their ancestral forests, a lawyer said Sunday. A panel of three Federal Court judges unanimously ruled that tribes have customary ownership of land they have lived on for generations and state governments cannot take it from them without compensation, said See Chee How, a prominent land rights lawyer. "It is a landmark decision," said See of Tuesday's ruling. "It's the first time the Federal Court has affirmed (such) a decision."
Read more (from Associated Press by Julia Zappei)
Read more (from Malaysiakini.com by Tony Thien) |
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Malaysia: Land acquisition dispute ends
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22 April 2009
SELANGOR: The State Executive Councilors’ Meeting today decided to withdraw the State Government’s appeal to the Federal Court with respect to the Sagong Tasi case involving the acquisition of 38.477 acres of the Temuan tribe’s customary lands at Bukit Tampoi, Dengkil in 1995. Accordingly, the State Legal Advisor will inform the Federal Court tomorrow of the State Government’s intention to withdraw from the case.
Read the full press release (doc) |
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Sagong Tasi,in yellow, and tribe-mates after the decision in the court of appeal. Photo: Colin Coac. |
Malaysia: Rural Sarawak suffers flood consequences
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17th February 2009
Unprecedented devastation caused by floods appears to be a consequence of logging and changed local climate patterns. Rural communities in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak are facing bleak days ahead as the recent floods have destroyed their padi fields shortly before harvest time. According to a report in The Borneo Post on 11 February 2009, indigenous communities from a number of longhouses in the Baram river region have lost almost their complete harvest.
MEDIA RELEASE: BRUNO MANSER FONDS, BASEL / SWITZERLAND
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Only a couple of farmers who cultivated hill padi this year have survived the devastation. |
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