Ethnic minorities and indigenous people
Ethnic minorities and indigenous people policy and rights
Indigenous and local communities see big gains in land rights, study shows
Land legally designated or owned by Indigenous, Afro-descendant and local communities increased by 102.9 million hectares (254 million acres), larger than the size of Egypt, between 2015 and 2020, according to a new report released by the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). These groups now own more ...
Dimitri Selibas
Vietnam’s minorities lose right to farm forests
One afternoon at the end of 2017, officials in Dakrong district in Central Vietnam’s Quang Tri province visited Ho Thi Nieng’s house. They claimed she and her husband had “burned the protected forest to do farming.” “We had been cultivating that land for a long time ...
Nguyen Dac Thanh
Indigenous rights bill languishes
Thailand is home to over 6 million indigenous people. Yet many are outlawed, denied basic rights, and subject to many forms of oppression. This must change. According to the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, about 10% of the population belongs to 60 indigenous and ethnic ...
BANGKOK POST EDITORIAL COLUMN
Four Indigenous Environmentalists Questioned in Mondulkiri Court
The Mondulkiri Provincial Court questioned four Bunong environmentalists for several hours on Tuesday over alleged defamation and incitement based on a developer’s complaint. Kroeung Tola, Ploek Phyrom, Ploek Nary and Kloeung Tum were summoned to appear on allegations leveled by Kak Ratana, director of Villa Development, according ...
Khut Sokun
Why indigenous land rights matter in Myanmar
The customary land rights of Myanmar’s indigenous peoples have been a much-discussed subject for decades, including during the “democratic transition” period that ended on February 1. The most striking aspect of this discussion, however, is how reluctant Myanmar policymakers—regardless of their political orientation—have been to ...
Esther Wah
Sharing solutions: How a digital toolkit is strengthening Indigenous voices
Technology isn’t always a practical solution for Indigenous communities fighting for their land rights. Some technology requires internet access, which often isn’t available in remote areas. And some technology can be needlessly complicated and expensive, alienating some community members. The Earth Defenders Toolkit is working to help overcome ...
Caitlin Looby
PM: Government won't use force in Bang Kloi
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday said his administration won’t use force against ethnic Karen villagers living in Phetchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan National Park as past governments did. Instead, this government will take care of those living in Bang Kloi by ensuring they have proper jobs and ...
MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
OPINION: Allow Myanmar ethnic groups to manage their own land
It is estimated that millions of people from cities across Myanmar are in the streets protesting against the military coup that took place on 1 February. The slogan ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi’ has drawn out many of those demonstrating. But it is a different demand ...
Stella Naw
Ethnic Groups Demand Input in Myanmar Land Reforms
Development organizations and farming groups from ethnic minority areas have called on the government to postpone land reforms, saying they will crush indigenous people’s rights. After parliament resumes on Feb. 1, it is due to discuss a land law which has been planned since 2019 as ...
NAN LWIN
Indigenous peoples network to propose new bill to protect indigenous rights
The Network of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (NIPT) is calling for voters to back their Council of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand bill, which proposes to set up a formal indigenous peoples’ council to give Thailand’s indigenous population the opportunity to resolve community rights issues in ...
Prachatai
