(Quezon City, August 6, 2024) As militarization and human rights abuses continue to plague Indigenous Peoples (IP) under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, indigenous rights organizations have called for a comprehensive and independent international investigation into these grave human rights violations affecting their communities.
“Under the Marcos Jr. administration, impunity against Indigenous Peoples persists even after the recent conclusion of the UN-PH joint programme on human rights cooperation. We urge the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation into the human rights situation of Indigenous Peoples,” said Beverly Longid, National Convenor of KATRIBU Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and co-convenor of Panaghiusa Philippine Network to Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ Rights (Panaghiusa).
At a media forum held today, Indigenous leaders and advocates highlighted cases submitted to Hon. José Francisco Cali Tzay, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People, and Dr. Pichamon Yeophantong, member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.
The Real State of the Indigenous People
Representatives of IP communities expressed the issues they face during the National Academic Forum attended by the two UN experts on July 24-25 at the University of the Philippines College of Law. The many violations to the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) over projects related to mining, energy, and dams was the most significant concern, accounting for 51 percent of the total cases submitted.
Red-tagging and criminalization of IP leaders constituted 31 percent of the cases, with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict linked to many of the violations. These include the trumped-up charges against Dumagat tribe members Rocky Torres and Dandoy Avellaneda, Dulangan-Manobo woman leader Julieta Gomez, and Indigenous rights social worker Niezel Velasco that led to their incarceration; and the terrorist designation of Cordillera People’s Alliance leaders Windel Bolinget, Jen Awingan, Sarah Alikes, and Steve Tauli.
Militarization and human rights abuses accounted for 17 percent of the reported cases, which include forced fake surrenders of IPs presented as armed rebels in Cagayan Valley and mass arrests of IPs in Negros Island. Particularly noted were the abduction of Bontoc-Ibaloi-Kankanaey Dexter Capuyan and indigenous rights advocate Bazoo De Jesus by the police in 2023, and the murder of Dulangan Manobo youth Kuni Cuba in June 2024.
The escalating attacks on IP as they fight back to defend their ancestral lands and assert self-determination indicate a link of corporate interests in IP lands and territories , Longid observed.
Call for Investigation and Legal Reforms
In a report subsequently submitted to their offices, the IPs and civil society advocates urged the UN experts to conduct a comprehensive investigation into ongoing rights violations, they also called for the Philippine government to disband the NTF-ELCAC and repeal the Anti-Terrorism Law, which they claim provide the policy basis for the escalation of human rights violations in IP communities.
“The Philippines is a party to International human rights treaties that mandate the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples' rights, including principles of self-determination and FPIC. The unabated transgressions against indigenous rights contravene not only these legally binding treaties but various constitutional rights as well,” said Atty. Mai Taqueban, Executive Director of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) and co-convener of Panaghiusa.
“We urge our public authorities to renew their cooperation with the UN Human Rights system and meaningfully adhere to human rights principles. The plight of indigenous communities in the face of ever increasing natural resources exploitation coupled with militarization demands their urgent protection and better safeguards for indigenous peoples rights,” Taqueban concluded.
For more info:
Florante Reyes
Communications Staff
Panaghiusa Phl. Network to Uphold IPs’ Rights
0915 466 5424
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