The Global news bulletin for this month contains news from around the world on the topic of Indigenous Rights. In this edition, we have news from Indonesia, Taiwan, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and more countries.
A Global News Bulletin on the topic of Indigenous rights. In this edition:
Indigenous South Africans defy lockdown rules
Covid-19 in India
Covid-19 in the Himalayas
Forest fires in Thailand
Food crisis in Bangladesh
Indigenous Peoples of Mexico and the right to water
This year's theme for conversations at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was "Indigenous Peoples Collective Rights to Lands and Resources". Victoria Tauli-Corpuz (Igorot Kankanaey, Philippines), UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues, says that the theme connects to many important conversations happening now in the world, including the threat that extractive industries pose to resources located on Indigenous-owned territories.
December 20 is International Human Solidarity Day: a day celebrate unity in diversity, and is a day to remind governments to honor their agreements to international declarations. 10 years ago to day, governments around the world voted to adopot the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We speak with Saami Council member John Henriksen who was instrumental in the signing of this declaration, on his view on the challenges and successes in implementing these human rights for Indigenous Peoples on the ground today.
November 25th is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Indigenous women face disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination due to their intersecting identities (woman and Indigenous) which have both been historically marginalized in society. Nepali activists explain their work to end violence against women in their country, and lay out next steps for continuing the work of women's liberation around the world.
INTERVIEWEES
Yasso Kanti Bhattachan, Indigenous Women’s Federation of Nepal
Chanda Thapa Magar, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
Indigenous Rights Radio Producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar interviews Joan Carling, former expert member at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and former general secretary of the Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact. They reflect on the first 10 years of the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Carling advocates for increased policy cohesion and the prioritization of Indigenous rights in global policy-making on all fronts.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated annually on 9 August. Ten years after the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Nepal-based Indigenous Rights Radio Producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar reflects with prominent Nepali Indigenous leaders on the country's progress in the implementation of international standards for Indigenous Rights.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated annually on 9 August. Ten years after the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, progress has been made in terms of the formal recognition of Indigenous peoples in several countries, but Indigenous peoples overwhelmingly continue to face discrimination, marginalization and major challenges in enjoying their basic rights.
March 8th is International Women's Day-- a time to celebrate the many accomplishments of women, as well as to discuss strategies to further their empowerment and to achieve gender equality. Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan) interviews Avexnim Cojti (Maya K’iche’) about the role of women in her community, and what needs to change in order for Indigenous women to finally occupy an equal position in society.
Radio continues to be a crucial tool for strengthening communities worldwide. Celebrate this uniquely powerful and uniting form of communication on World Radio Day, February 13th.
According to the UNDRIP, Indigenous People have the right to establish their own media in their own languages, and to have access to to all forms of non-indigenous media without discrimination (Article 16). Radio plays an especially crucial role in Indigenous communication, due to its potential to cross borders and terrain, as well as economic and social barriers.
IRR Producer Shaldon Ferris reports on the official statement by Vicky Tauli-Copruz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, concerning the threat of the Dakota Access Pipeline to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.
UN Special Rapporteur Vicky Tauli Corpuz discusses the international trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership which is being negotiated by Canada,The United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. She confirms that Indigenous Peoples must be consulted before these deals are negotiated.
UN Special Rapporteur Vicky Tauli Corpuz discusses the international trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership which is being negotiated by Canada,The United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. She discusses why governments are pushing for it, and its implications for Indigenous Peoples.
Listen to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples speak about an incident in July 2015 in Southern Belize affecting the rights of the Maya people.