INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, 9TH AUGUST

Indigenous peoples across the world experience the consequences of historical colonization and invasion of their territories and face discrimination because of their distinct cultures, identities and ways of life. In recent decades, the international community has given special attention to the human rights situations of indigenous peoples, as shown by the adoption of international standards and guidelines, as well as by the establishment of institutions and bodies that specifically target these peoples’ concerns. The rights of indigenous peoples are further promoted by international and regional human rights mechanisms.

By resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The goal of the First International Decade was to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health.

In the latest report of the State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, it is noted that, “Indigenous peoples face systemic discrimination and exclusion from political and economic power; they continue to be over-represented among the poorest, the illiterate, the destitute; they are displaced by wars and environmental disasters; indigenous peoples are dispossessed of their ancestral lands and deprived of their resources for survival, both physical and cultural; they are even robbed of their very right to life.”  It is therefore critical that the rights and needs of indigenous peoples are discussed and addressed in the next development agenda. 

The key-message highlighted by indigenous peoples is that the implementation of a human rights-based approach to development should take into account issues of equality and sustainability, and endorse the fundamental concept of development with culture and identity.

On 16 December 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Programme of Action for the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (A/60/270, sect. II), and adopted "Partnership for action and dignity" as its theme (resolution 60/142).

It proclaimed the Second International Decade on 20 December 2004, with the goal of further strengthening cooperation in those areas, including economic and social development (resolution 59/174). It asked the Secretary-General to appoint the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs as the Coordinator for the Second Decade, and invited Governments to ensure that activities and objectives for the Second Decade are planned and implemented in full collaboration with indigenous people.

The Decade has five main objectives:

§  Promoting non-discrimination and inclusion of indigenous peoples in the design, implementation and evaluation of international, regional and national processes regarding laws, policies, resources, programmes and projects;

§  Promoting full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in decisions which directly or indirectly affect their lifestyles, traditional lands and territories, their cultural integrity as indigenous peoples with collective rights or any other aspect of their lives, considering the principle of free, prior and informed consent;

§  Redefining development policies that depart from a vision of equity and that are culturally appropriate, including respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity of indigenous peoples;

§  Adopting targeted policies, programmes, projects and budgets for the development of indigenous peoples, including concrete benchmarks, and particular emphasis on indigenous women, children and youth;

§  Developing strong monitoring mechanisms and enhancing accountability at the international, regional and particularly the national level, regarding the implementation of legal, policy and operational frameworks for the protection of indigenous peoples and the improvement of their lives.

The Human Development Framework and Indigenous Peoples' Self-determined Development or Development with Culture and Identity is very vital.

Observation: Despite many of the successes of the MDGs, they have not managed to fully address the values and principles outlined in the Millennium Declaration, particularly in relation to human rights and equality.  Addressing inequalities in the post-2015 development agenda means looking at both equality of opportunities and outcomes (or lack thereof), and entrenched structural factors, that perpetuate various forms of inequalities such as discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, age, location, etc. 

The Adibasi leader,Marang Gomke Sir Jaipal Singh Munda, one  of the members of Constituency Assembly,  Delhi on December 19, 1946 in his first speech  when, in welcoming the Objectives Resolution on Freedom of the country, he provided a masterly summation of the adibasi case. He said “As a jungli, as an Adibasi, I am not expected to understand the legal intricacies of the Resolution. But my common sense tells me that every one of us should march in that road to freedom and fight together. Sir, if there is any group of Indian people that has been shabbily treated it is my people. They have been disgracefully treated, neglected for the last 6,000 years. The history of the Indus Valley civilization, a child of which I am, shows quite clearly that it is the new comers .….The whole history of my people is one of continuous exploitation and dispossession by the non-aboriginals of India punctuated by rebellions and disorder, and yet I take Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru at his word. I take you all at your word that now we are going to start a new chapter, a new chapter of independent India where there is equality of opportunity, where no one would be neglected.” The Resolution, to Jaipal, was simply a modern restatement of his own people’s point of view. In adivasi society, there was no discrimination by caste and gender. Thus “you cannot teach democracy to the tribal people; you have to learn democratic ways from them.”

Odisha Situation: Odisha having 62 numbers of Indigenous People groups (highest in the states in the Country), with.   9,590,756 Scheduled Tribes constituting 22.8% of total population of the State(41,974,218) according to the 2011 census, who are also facing the  issue of political, social and economic discrimination and exclusion since long. The “Indigenous Peoples Forum, Odisha,” (IPFO) an umbrella organization of the Adibasis themselves, would like to carry forward the positive steps in organizing the Adibasis of Odisha for their rights and dignity, as well as, making them empower by creating awareness about the governments programmes/ Schemes and making them to participate in the decision making, Planning and implementing process in the spirit of UN Declaration 0n Indigenous peoples.

Recognition: We recognize many of the good hearted individuals, intellectuals, Civil Society organizations, NGOs/INGOs who are rendering dedicated service for the overall development of the Indigenous peoples and bringing newness in them.

International Day of World’s Indigenous people 9^th August: In the year 2013, the IPFO organized the day with the collaboration of State Government, NGOs and INGOs to mark the Occasion for the first time in State level. The Commissioner –Cum Secretary and the Director of SCSTRTI happily declared the Day to be celebrated every year in the State level and would be in the department calendar.

INVITATION AND COOPERATION:  We Invite and look forward from all individuals/intellectuals, NGOs/INGOs for your participation and collaboration for the success of the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples 9^th August.

SPECIAL OF THIS YEAR:

1.      We are trying to contact ten (10) leaders of all 62 Indigenous peoples groups from the State and eminent Adibasi leaders and other intellectuals for this occasion. On 8^th August there will be separate programme for the Indigenous peoples and on 9^th the common observation will be with governments and dignitaries.

2.      The Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups members (PVTG), who are most neglected will be also participate in the Gathering.

3.       The “Status of Indigenous Peoples after two decades, after the declaration on IDIP and Road Map for development of Indigenous people” would be the focus point of this year.

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