Indigenous Peoples are concerned by the fact that vital climate negotiations for the planet’s survival have been postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. While this may suit some governments, who are unwilling to do what it takes to make the Paris Agreement work, Indigenous Peoples are trying to build momentum in this stalemate period. …
Indigenous Peoples Call for Climate Action Amidst Global Pandemic Read More »
On September 14, 2020, the forest department forcibly cut down banana plants raised on a “grabbed” forestland under Dokhala range in Madhupur upazila, Tangail without serving any prior notice to the affected, according to a report by The Daily Star. A local forest department official was quoted as saying that they were conducting the drive …
In Ban Mae Jok, neither electricity nor internet/Wi-Fi are available, but 1,600 hectares of natural forest provide a much larger choice of consumable items than a giant supermarket. Even without electricity and mobile phone access, as well as the current local lock-down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the villagers of more than 50 households are …
The Forest as Community Supermarket for Karen Indigenous Peoples in Thailand Read More »
Huay Ee Khang Village in Mae Win Sub-district of Mae Wang District in Chiangmai is piloting an effort to use its community forest of 60 rai (9.6 hectares) to become an “Indigenous Women’s Forest” emphasizing varieties of plants for herbal medicine, dying cloth, and food crops. This idea aims to create a natural classroom for …
For many of Asia’s indigenous peoples, COVID-19 is exacerbating long-standing policies of marginalization.
Months into the crisis brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, the situation of the Indigenous Peoples, from north to south is slowly coming to light with the reports coming from different indigenous organizations and communities. As the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was declared nationwide, the 15 million Indigenous Peoples (IPs), in the country are facing particularly …
BANGKOK, Thailand – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Bangladesh, 27-year-old Chandra Tripura was paralyzed by feelings of fear and uncertainty. “For the first two weeks, I was kind of frustrated because I realized this will be tragic for us,” Chandra said. “If a country like China, which is developed, had to suffer for 3 months…Bangladesh, …
Indigenous youth find ways to help communities hit by pandemic Read More »
CIVICUS speaks to Gam Shimray, Secretary General of the Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), about the situation of Indigenous groups in Asia amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AIPP is a regional federation of Indigenous peoples’ movements in Asia that works to promote and defend Indigenous peoples’ human rights, including land rights and cultural rights. Because of …
ASIA: Under the pandemic, racism against Indigenous peoples has intensified Read More »
“AIPP has been observing the situation in Asia and the trend indicates that stringent measures put in place by governments in the last few months has not been effectively used to put their house in order to deal with the impact of the cycle of the pandemic curve that is likely to continue for some …
The situation is challenging, but it is important for us not to react in a fearful way so that our measures are humane and responsive to the new challenges. “When rituals or spiritual ceremonies are performed to enforce village lockdowns, it is not to invoke fear but to call forth our spiritual conviction and courage …
Flash Update on COVID-19: Lessons learned from IPs in Asia Read More »