| Good Practices and Challenges in the Implementation of UNDRIP in Asia |
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Geneva, Switzerland ---- In line with the conduct of the 2nd Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People (EMRIP), the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) organized a lunch time event during the session entitled, “Good Practices and Challenges on the Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Asia”. This activity was co-organized by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and ILO PRO 169, Geneva and was participated by more than 50 indigenous representatives from various countries around the world.
Among the panelists of the activity are Ms. Jannie Lasimbang, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the 2nd EMRIP session; Ms. Birgitte Feiring of the Programme to Promote the ILO Convention No. 169 in Geneva; Ms. Joan Carling of AIPP; and Mr. Fatik Bahadur Thapa, Parliament member of Nepal.
An overview of indigenous peoples in Asia and the good practices and key challenges relating to the implementation of UNDRIP in the region were among the topics discussed. According to Ms. Carling, among the challenges in the implementation of UNDRIP in Asia are the non-recognition of indigenous peoples (IPs) by States; non-recognition of the rights of IPs to their land, territories and resources; development aggression committed against indigenous communities; and political repression among others. In her discussion, Ms. Feiring stated that the C169 and the UNDRIP are complementary instruments in that both are covering issues that are fundamental for indigenous peoples’ continued existence. She added that ensuring the implementation of the UNDRIP and C169 is no easy task and is a real challenge for most nation states that historically have been characterized by discrimination against indigenous peoples by denying their rights to land and resources, etc. To address the challenges in the implementation of the UNDRIP, it was recommended by the panel of speakers and seconded by the participants that there has to be a planning and prioritization of actions and joint implementation of initiatives for greater impact. For the UN agencies, it was recommended that UN country teams be provided with a training on the Declaration and its implementation so that they can be more involved in the implementation of the said instrument in the national level. The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) is a regional organization established by indigenous peoples’ organizations in 1992 to strengthen the struggles, cooperation and solidarity among indigenous peoples across Asia. Reference: Robie Halip |