Indigenous Peoples Call for application of Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples to Malaysian law and policies

by Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – In celebration of the first year anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP), the Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) will be hosting a series of events on indigenous peoples and rights in Malaysia from 10-13 September 2008. These events will culminate in the handover of a memorandum on indigenous peoples rights to DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agung.

Since June 2008, representatives from different indigenous peoples organisations across Malaysia have been reviewing national and state laws in the areas of adat and customary law, land and resources and development policies and assessing them against the Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP)

Adopted on 13 September 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly, the DRIP presents a set of minimum standards for how governments should treat indigenous peoples and is intended to help address the social and economic marginalization faced by indigenous communities.
The Declaration describes the rights of indigenous peoples, and their rights to identity, language, education and their traditional lands. It also emphasizes their rights to be involved in all decisions and matters that affect them as well as their right to pursue their own vision of economic and social development.

Malaysia has been a strong supporter of the DRIP, backing it as early as 2006 when it was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council and then voting twice in favor of the Declaration's adoption by the General Assembly. The adoption of this instrument is the clearest indication yet that Malaysia and the international community are committed to the protection of the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples.

Representatives from different Orang Asli, Kadazandusun, Murut, Dayak and Orang Ulu groups will be deliberating on the final draft of the memorandum from 10-12 September 2008. JOAS will present a memorandum based on the review to DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agung at the Royal Palace on 13 September 2008 on behalf of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. Indigenous peoples as well as supporters are invited to join the group on the walk to the Royal Palace.

In conjunction with the anniversary of the DRIP, a public exhibition will also be held from 10-14 September 2008 at Annexe Central Market, to raise general awareness on indigenous peoples of Malaysia, their contributions to Malaysia as well as current challenges and issues facing these communities.

((JOAS Sept 3, 2008)