Buscar

February 1, 2021, the day on which the newly elected parliament had scheduled its first official parliamentary session in Myanmar after the election held in November 2020. Just hours before the scheduled sessions, the military conducted a house-raid and arrested several elected leaders and politicians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, politician, diplomat, author, and a 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and president Win Myint and other senior government figures. The Myanmar military then declared a state of emergency and imposed curfews putting restrictions on public gatherings.

For months now, since the military coup on February 1, 2021, people from all walks of life in Myanmar have been continuously taking to the streets in protest. Everyday thousands of people have been detained, including high profile leaders and politicians of the civilian government. Many are kept under house arrest with no outside contact and in most cases their whereabouts are still unknown. Large demonstrations against the coup are occurring daily in Myanmar, defying the curfews and restrictions put in place by the military.

The first meeting of the Permanent Forum was held in May 2002, with yearly sessions thereafter. The Forum usually meets for 10 days each year, at the UN Headquarters in New York. According to the ECOSOC resolution E/2000/22, the Forum may also meet at the UN Office in Geneva or at such other place that it decides.
Cultural Survival attended the permanent forum in April 2023, and spoke to some of the delegates who attended.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Naw Ei Ei Min
Image: Cultural Survival

In this interview, Dev Kumar Sunuwar of Cultural Survival speaks with Mohammed Rofique, a member of the Rohingya community, who shares the powerful story of how his family was forced to flee their homeland in Myanmar. Rofique recounts the difficult and dangerous journey they undertook, crossing rugged terrain, dense forests, and treacherous paths in search of safety. Facing violence, uncertainty, and exhaustion, his family ultimately reached the border of Bangladesh, where they sought refuge.

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

The Alta outcome document sets out key issues for Indigenous Peoples and solutions on topics including the rights to land, air, water, and livelihoods. 

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

The WCIP is a special session of the General Assembly which will focus specifically on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

States should work with indigenous communities to ensure that national laws reflect the rights of Indigenous Peoples as laid out in the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

The rights of Indigenous Peoples must be enacted fully and mechanisms which monitor and review the implementation of these rights are needed to ensure that States are complying with international law.  

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent means that Indigenous Peoples are able to use their lands and resources however they choose, and that they are included in a consultation process if any development projects are proposed on their land. 

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

Permanent Observer status for Indigenous Peoples would mean that Indigenous Peoples could have direct participation through their own governments and councils. 

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

Indigenous Peoples have the right to establish their own education and knowledge systems in order to accurately teach future generations about their histories, values, beliefs and languages.  

Spots on Alta Outcome Document - Russian (pу́сский)

States should work with indigenous communities to implement climate change initiatives which protect the lands and resources of Indigenous Peoples, through an ecosystem-based approach and enforceable safeguards.