By: Febry Ronaldo Ginting
In commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (HIMAS), which is held every 9 August, Kaoem Telapak and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) held a webinar entitled Realising Justice and Fulfilling the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, on Monday, 12 August 2024. Involving various youth organisations, this activity attracted 200 people from all over Indonesia to become participants.
Olvy Tumbelaka, Senior Campaigner of Kaoem Telapak, said in her speech that Indigenous Peoples are vulnerable groups. As part of the Indigenous Peoples community, Olvy witnessed how this community experienced marginalisation, criminalisation and discrimination. Their ancestral forests were seized and converted into plantations or land for national strategic projects. Indigenous Peoples are one of Kaoem Telapak’s constituents, so contributing to the advocacy of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights is pivotal. “We continue to guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill so that it will be ratified soon. Until now there has been no clear political will from the Government and DPR regarding the ratification of this bill,” she said.
In the discussion session, Muhammad Arman, Director of Policy Advocacy and Law and Human Rights of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) said there were 100 cases of violence against indigenous peoples in the period January to August 2024. “This figure is very high because, in such a short period, the number of cases is quite large,” said Arman.
In addition, he also highlighted the cracking of the Indigenous Peoples Bill in the House of Representatives. It has been more than ten years, the Indigenous Peoples Bill is in limbo. This situation, for Arman, will make Indigenous Peoples more vulnerable to violations of their human rights as citizens.
Arman explained that Indonesia has 2,566 Indigenous Peoples communities across its territory. The number is not a final number, said Arman, it is likely to continue to grow. Hence, he hopes that there will be involvement from various sectors or groups in guarding the Indigenous Peoples Bill, as well as the involvement of young people and Indigenous Youth. “As the young generation of Indigenous Peoples, do not feel ashamed of their identity as Indigenous Peoples,” Arman said.
Sucia Lisdamara, from Barisan Pemuda Adat Nusantara, responded to the speakers’ presentation. According to her, forest destruction does not only affect Indigenous Peoples but also the social dynamic. She said the rich biodiversity in the ancestral forest must be maintained so that a healthy ecosystem remains. Suci knows the most noticeable impact of industrial-perspective development is the loss of Indigenous Peoples’ homes. “When the forest is gone, what will we pass on to the next generation?” Sucia concluded her response.
