Celebrating the UN's International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Kohima: 07 August, 2014
Along with the rest of the world, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) shall be celebrating the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on the 9th of August, 2014, at 11.00 a.m., at Tati Hall, Dimori Cove, Kigwema, Kohima.
Today, indigenous peoples of the world constitute about 370 million which is only about 5% of the world’s 7 billion population out of which 70% of them live in Asia including the Nagas. However, indigenous peoples still constitute 15% of the world’s poorest of the poor. As the last custodians of our mother earth, indigenous peoples are at their most vulnerable stage today making mankind’s future, which existed in perfect equilibrium, stand at its most crucial stage.
Beginning with colonialism and imperialism, the exploitation of natural resources has not only dominated human civilization but have also largely contributed to the total displacement and destruction of many human communities. Today, the cultural practices and traditional control over land, territories, and its resources stand threatened in the name of development and modernization.
It is a historical aberration that indigenous peoples continue to live and co-habit regions which are also reservoir to some of the world’s richest natural resources. Nagas, like many indigenous peoples of the world, are faced with many common issues like Natural Gas and Oil, Land Resources, Mineral Resources, Forest Resources and its Products, etc. to constitute some of the biggest challenges in recent times. The confronts of state-directed development and indigenous wisdom – whether it is over matters of control, equitable access and benefit sharing, or sustainable use – have the dangerous potential of completely destroying the social and cultural fabric of our society.
NPMHR strongly supports that a right-holder model of inclusion rather than a stake-holder model of negotiation is imperative for the collective growth, whether it is socio-economic or as a community. The United Nations’ declaration of Indigenous Peoples Day is not only a new beginning but is a much belated recognition of indigenous peoples’ contribution to the preservation and continuity of humanity on earth.
NPMHR warmly looks forward to welcome its old and new members on this occasion of the World’s Indigenous peoples Day hosted under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Implementing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights
K.N. Sekhose Building, Jail Colony,
Kohima: 797001, Nagaland
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.npmhr.org
* This PR was sent to e-pao.net by NEPS who can be contacted at nepsonline(at)yahoo(dot)com
This Press Release was posted on August 08 2014
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