Indigenous people reiterate their stance on RSD
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, June 05 2014:
Certain sections of the indigenous people of North East region represented by Borok Peoples Human Rights Organisation (BPHRO), Indigenous Women's Forum of Northeast India (IWFNEI), Karbi Human Rights Watch (KHRW), Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC), Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), and Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF), have reiterated their stance on the right to self-determination (RSD) of indigenous peoples and urged the Government of India to uphold its commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
During a joint meeting, representatives of these organisations expressed extreme concern over the deteriorating human rights situation of indigenous peoples within the region.
It deliberated on the alarming rise in human rights violations resulting from increased militarization linked to developmental aggression and economic policies aimed at disenfranchising and marginalizing indigenous communities further.
It further noted the negative impact that such approach has had on indigenous communities resulting in increasing cases of human trafficking, violence against women and children, and HIV/AIDS etc.
The second consultation meeting of North East indigenous people was held at Ukhrul from June 2 to 4 .
In a press statement, the indigenous people took serious note on the ongoing series of negotiation and dialogue between the States and the Centre with different indigenous groups and civil societies with regard to their various demands for recognition of their right to self-determination based on their distinct identities, their historical relationship with their lands, territories, resources, languages and cultures.
Representatives of the North East indigenous organizations made strong remark at the delay, and urged the Government to expedite the process of negotiation for meaningful solution.
Highlighting the racial attacks and discrimination against people from the region residing in mainland India, they appealed for ensuring safety and security of the people.
They even dwelt at length on the serious implicit roles of successive governments in perpetuating conflicts among the indigenous peoples of the region through encouragement of land alienation by non-indigenous communities, implementation of anti-people development agendas, extraction of mineral resources etc which led to massive displacement of indigenous communities from their lands and territories.