The Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People

5th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,

May 15 –26, 2006, New York

Joint Statement presented by: Joy Raj Eric Tudu

Indian Confederation of Indigenous & Tribal Peoples,

Regional Organisation for Threatened Society &

Mundari Literary Council

Item: 4 (g) The Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People

Respected Madam Chair, distinguished Members of the Forum, Fellow Indigenous delegates from around the world. I bring greetings from the Adivasis; the Indigenous Peoples of India.

The beginning of the second decade brings many more new challenges for the assertion of ‘ Rights’ of the Indigenous Peoples streamlined by the United Nations. Despite the UN being instrumental in providing necessary platforms and adequate opportunities to the Indigenous Peoples, the situation of the Indigenous Peoples worldwide, especially in the developing countries like India however remains the same and further keeps on deteriorating. The lack of political will on part of the governments in matters concerning issues of Indigenous Peoples such as denial of Indigenous status has till now been discouraging and underminig the aspirations of the Indigenous communities.

India being a home to a large number of Indigenous Peoples positively needs more attention towards the policy recommendations and programmes undertaken for the Indigenous Peoples in the second decade. Lack of opportunities for Indigenous leaders from India in programmes relating to individual capacity building and organisational development has been the major factor in suppression of the Indigenous issues from the region.

Keeping in mind the designation of the present Second International Decade of the world’s Indigenous Peoples “Partnership for action and dignity” the Indigenous Peoples can meet the challenges involved only by attaining equal status as partners in progress.

Recommendations:

• The UNPFII should address issues that are critical to Indigenous Peoples in India and make recommendations to the Government of India to ensure and enable Indigenous Peoples to assert their rights in a democratic manner.

• The UNPFII make recommendations to the government of India that communities should be made part of the planning , implementing and monitoring of all the developmental programmes affecting the concerned communities.

• The proposed programmes should be focussed on capacity enhancement of the Indigenuos leaders so that they be able to effectively facilitate the process of learning among fellow brethren.

• The policies and programmes in the second decade should ensure adequate opportunities and programmes for the much needed communities in India focussing on regions that has not been reached in the previous decade.

Thank you Madam Chair, thank you all.

Courtesy:www.docip.org