Indigenous peoples take united stand<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The nation's indigenous peoples have united in
\ndemanding an outright end to abuses against them and respect of
\ntheir sovereignty by the state.<\/p>\n
In their declaration issued late on Sunday to conclude a five-
\nday congress, they stated "there is no place for a uniform policy
\nof the state" because of the nation's diversity. The congress was
\na first for the country's indigenous groups.<\/p>\n
About 250 representatives also announced the establishment of
\nthe Nusantara Alliance of Indigenous Peoples.<\/p>\n
"If the state does not recognize us, we also do not recognize
\nthe state," an introduction to the declaration read.<\/p>\n
Years of pain shared by indigenous peoples "has its source in
\nthe nonrecognition of (our) sovereignty by the state of the
\nRepublic of Indonesia ..."<\/p>\n
The declaration was read by Mathea Mamoyao, a representative
\nof West Papua, the name demanded by those seeking an independent
\nIrian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Chairwoman of the organizing committee Sandra Moniaga said
\nsolidarity was fostered among participants during the congress
\nand a two-day workshop preceding it at Hotel Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The alliance is led by a 54-member governing board. Its
\nexecutive secretary has yet to be announced. Representatives plan
\nto meet legislators on Monday to report on the results.<\/p>\n
In lively congress activities, participants exchanged
\nexperiences of resisting powerful investors, the government and
\nthe military, all perceived as threatening their livelihood.
\nCongress participants included farmers, fishery workers and
\nminers, many who are also community elders, chiefs, traditional
\nkings and advisors.<\/p>\n
The statement of basic views, also read by Mathea, said
\ncustomary institutions "have been torn apart by the imposing of
\nregional and village administrative structures applied
\nuniformly", based on the 1974 law on regional administration and
\nthe 1979 law on village administration.<\/p>\n
"The imposed concept of the village has led to extraordinary
\nconflicts," she said, adding that state institutions did not have
\nrepresentatives of indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n
State control of resources "has become a powerful tool to
\neradicate the sovereignty of indigenous peoples" leading to
\nvarious rights abuses. The statement added that those resisting
\ngovernment or private projects have been subjected to torture and
\nkillings.<\/p>\n
Economically, the government, without consulting locals, "has
\ngiven new rights to businesses and other institutions foreign to
\nindigenous peoples".<\/p>\n
Demands included an end to terms such as "isolated tribes" and
\n"state-owned land"; a return of political sovereignty of the
\nindigenous peoples; the revoking of all laws denying their
\nsovereignty; an end to military intervention leading to violence,
\nparticularly toward women, and correction of all abuses of
\nviolated rights.<\/p>\n
Programs using land and resources should entail consultation
\nwith indigenous peoples, including in areas such as
\ntransmigration, mining and forestry exploitation.<\/p>\n
Laws which should be revoked included those on land, forestry,
\nmining and fisheries.<\/p>\n
Various projects should guarantee an end to rights
\nviolations, including in the enforcement of the family planning
\nprogram, the statement said. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indigenous-peoples-take-united-stand-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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