Lack of political will to uphold rights of indigenous peoples
By Ragunath Kesavan
Dayakbaru: Where are our Dayak Ministers – are they protecting our Dayak rights?
2009-09-18 | PRESS RELEASE:
The Malaysian Bar is disappointed at the Government’s continuing lack of political will to promote and protect the welfare and rights of indigenous peoples throughout Malaysia. The Government’s inaction makes a mockery of its vote in favour of adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 (“the UN Declaration”).
Sexual Abuse – Jabu deny it
Most recently, the Government refused to make public the report of the National Task Force established to investigate the allegations of sexual abuse against Penan women and girls. This refusal flouts democratic principles of transparency and accountability. The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development finally made the report publicly available only after pressure from various interest groups.
Police are not interested
We are further disappointed that despite the Inspector-General of Police’s pledge of full support for a joint police-NGO investigative mission, the Sarawak police have now reportedly stated that the funds allocated for the project are not sufficient to fund the participation of NGO representatives.
Human Rights Abuse of Dayak in Sarawak
The sexual abuse faced by the Penans is but one of a multitude of human rights violations that indigenous communities face on an ongoing basis, and which are inextricably inter-linked. Most indigenous persons are not able to fully enjoy their fundamental human rights because their traditions, customs and values are being eroded and their needs have been long neglected.
Government has not formally recognize the rights of the indigenous people of Sarawak
A crucial first step for the Government, in fulfilling its state obligation, is to formally recognise, protect and guarantee the right of indigenous peoples to their ancestral lands throughout the country and to gazette such ancestral lands as reserved areas for them. If necessary, land laws must be amended to achieve this.
Natives without infrastructure- water and electricity – after 46 years
We are concerned that many indigenous communities still live without basic amenities and infrastructure. It is within the context of the deprivation of their rights to ancestral lands and access to basic services that indigenous peoples have become vulnerable to sexual abuse and other violations of human rights. We strongly urge the Government to perform its duty by taking concrete steps to improve the welfare of indigenous peoples.
It is wrong to arrest the people whose only intention is to pass a memorandum to the government
Finally, we denounce the wholly unnecessary arrest of 15 Sarawakian indigenous leaders on 16 September, who were reportedly detained as they attempted to deliver a memorandum to the Chief Minister to protest the building of hydro-electric dams that would adversely affect their communities.
Our Leaders have failed
The manner in which our nation deals with the needs and rights of these communities is a reflection of our commitment to democracy and human rights. In this, our leaders have failed.
Change is possible. More can, and must, be done.
We therefore echo our earlier call, made in a resolution that was unanimously adopted at the Malaysian Bar’s 63rd Annual General Meeting on 15 March 2009, that the Federal and State Governments, as well as all public and private enterprises and individuals, respect and protect the rights of indigenous peoples pursuant to the UN Declaration, and not act in any manner inconsistent with those rights.
President
Malaysian Bar
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7 Responses to “Lack of political will to uphold rights of indigenous peoples”
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Inspirational word from gkm2020
what have you done to take care of the Penan’s Welfare Dr. John Brian? What have you done? please let me know. I believe that the responsible to protect one’s another especially when it comes to human right issues is were not suppose to be under the government responsibilities only. yes i agree with you that the government had failed in this issue but don’t you just like one of them who actually talks more than taking action.
Where are the Dayak Ministers?
They are sleeping,Brother John,brother John.
Morning bell is ringing,Ding Ding Dong…
Where are our Dayak Ministers – are they protecting our Dayak rights?
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Yes, certainly. Yangdikasihi who is Dayaks Paramount Chief is duty bound to protect our rights.But bear in mind without Dayaks support Yangdikasihi cannot do much.Likewise when he call on Dayaks not to bring PKR here, everybody should take heeds. For that very reason DL called on every Dayaks in the planet to really solidly behind Yangdikasihi & BN gomen in ensuring landslide victory during the coming state election.
June on November 12th, 2009 1:31 pm
You said:
Yangdikasihi who is Dayaks Paramount Chief is duty bound to protect our rights.
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MY comment:
I DOUBT IT !!!! You can lie to Dayaklama BUT not their DAYAKBARU.
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You said:
But bear in mind without Dayaks support
Yangdikasihi cannot do much.
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My comment:
Your BN have Dayak support for more than 4 decades.However, the more support they have, they GREEDIER they were.
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You said:
Likewise when he call on Dayaks not to bring PKR here, everybody should take heeds.
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My comment:
Udah lama nepan kapal BN, unggal. DB diatu ka nguji ke kapal bukai ga. Bala kita DL enggau ad hoc committee meh nepan kapal BN…anang ninggal ke John Jamban. Nadai endur kira bira lebuh maia belayar.
Kami DB enggai agi nepan kapalnya laban juragan kapal BN@PBB nyau udah tuai. Enda tentu MEDA utai sereta enda tentu NINGA agi.Enda alah bai iya ngelantak batu karang !!!!!!!!!
In addition,diatu, kapal BN @ PBB nyau majak buruk….nyau maioh amat pantis (bocor) nganti ke karam.
June on November 12th, 2009 1:31 pm
June said :
angdikasihi who is Dayaks Paramount Chief is duty bound toprotect our rights.But bear in mind without Dayaks support Yangdikasihi cannot do much.
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We support yang dikasihi every election for the past 40 years. But this time no more. Enough is enough. Time to change our vote.
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Likewise when he call on Dayaks not to bring PKR here, everybody should take heeds.
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Why is he is so scared. After 40 years he is no different with PKR. Maybe PKR is better than him.
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For that very reason DL called on every Dayaks in the planet to really solidly behind Yangdikasihi & BN gomen in ensuring landslide victory during the coming state election.
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Dayak will vote for yang dikasihi even he is in heaven during the election if he give title for dayak NCR land and solve every dayak problem.
DAP assemblyperson M Manoharan today described Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor as no different than the previous government run by Barisan Nasional.
Is this not an eye opener for DB? Will DB continue to blindly support the Malay base PR/PKR? Why change BN gomen with proven track record?
June on November 13th, 2009 9:29 am
You said:
DAP assemblyperson M Manoharan today described Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor as no different than the previous government run by Barisan Nasional.
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My recommendation:
Please check the FACTS before shitting on this thread!!!!!!!! Twisting facts are what typical hardcore BN like you yourself tend to do!!!!!!
ANANG SEMINA MACHA @ NINGA BERITA ARUS PERDANA,WAI!!!!!!!!!!