9 August 2008 UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Indigenous peoples around the globe are making themselves heard in international arenas and at the national level. But many challenges remain in the fight for full recognition of all their rights.

UN rights officials call on countries to back Declaration on Indigenous Peoples
8 August 2008
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=27640&Cr=Indigenous&Cr1=

Information about the International Day, links to more statements, the United Nations programme of events, resources, and lots more, is available on the UN International Day of the World's Indigenous People site at http://www.un.org/events/indigenous/2008/index.shtml

"The Declaration is a visionary step towards addressing the human rights of indigenous peoples... I encourage Member States and indigenous peoples to come together in a spirit of mutual respect, and make use of the Declaration as the living document it is so that it has a real and positive effect throughout the world."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Indigenous children harvesting lompa fishes during the Sasi opening in Haruku Island in Maluku / the Moluccas

·  New York, 9 August 2008 - Message on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People  
United Nations - Aug 08 11:54 AM
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 9 August as the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

Native Papuan celebration turns violent, one dead
2008-08-09 20:39:28
The international native day celebration in Papua province on Saturday turned into a riot after several members of local separatist group hoisted the Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag.Continue.

Police take down "OPM" flag at "Indigenous Day" gathering in Wamena
2008-08-09 20:34:46
Police in Wamena capital of Jayawijaya district, fired warning shots into the air to take down and confiscate a separatist "Free Papua Organization " (OPM) flag that had been hoisted by a crowd observing "Indigenous People Day" (Hari Pribumi) on Saturday, sources in Wamena reported.
Continue.

Emerging Indigenous Peoples Movement in Indonesia
Sandra Moniaga
For decades, the indigenous peoples of Indonesia had been engaged in low profile struggles against the loss of their rights and pride due to state policies, laws and activities. In 1999, they started to organize. More than 200 representatives of indigenous peoples from all over the country gathered in the first Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (Kongres Masyarakat Adat Nusantara I, or AMAN I).
http://www.hurights.or.jp/asia-pacific/no_36/02.htm

INDIGENOUS VOICE
The Jakarta Post  Mon, 08/11/2008 11:52 AM

U.S. and Canada Found Guilty of Racism
Haider Rizvi
UNITED NATIONS - The international community now fully recognises the native peoples’ right to protect their lands and live distinct lifestyles. Yet, most of the world’s 370 million indigenous peoples continue to face abuse and injustices at the hands of state authorities and commercial concerns. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43487

·  Aug 9 Indigenous People’s Day  
Daily News - Aug 07 7:27 PM
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on Saturday (August 9) to recognise the knowledge and the importance of indigenous people.

·  UN chief calls for protection of indigenous languages, says it loss would weaken world's cultural diversity  
Nepalnews. com - Aug 08 10:29 PM
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon underscored the need to take immediate measures to protect and promote endangered languages of indigenous people to ensure "a safe passage of the shared heritage to future genaration".

·  Ainu rise up from the margins of Japanese society  
AP via Yahoo! Philippines News - 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
For someone who grew up ashamed of her ethnic identity, they are powerful words. "You are beautiful just as you are. Don't be afraid," Mina Sakai sings to a young, enthusiastic crowd in the language of the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. Sakai, 25, belongs to a group of young Ainu at the forefront of a revival of ethnic pride. Rebelling against a history of ...

·  Indigenous jobs plan welcomed  
Daily Telegraph - Aug 08 11:01 PM
ONE of Australia's most powerful indigenous land councils has welcomed a bold plan by mining mogul Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest to create 50,000 private-sector jobs for Aborigines.

·  Forced displacement devastating Colombia's indigenous people  
AlertNet - Aug 08 3:18 AM
Source: UNHCR -

·  International Day of the World's Indigenous People  
Scoop.co.nz - Aug 07 8:56 PM
• this year's message from the United Nations Secretary-General, • the joint United Nations Statement, and • where you can get more information.

·  Protect indigenous communities' rights - UN tells member States  
Daily News - Aug 08 12:40 PM
The United Nations reiterating its unwavering commitment to promotion and protection of indigenous communities in the world, yesterday urged member States to take every effort to protect their rights.

·  Seize opportunities, Minister tells NT Aborigines  
Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Aug 09 12:20 AM
The Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister has urged Aboriginal people attending this year's Garma Festival in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory to seize the financial opportunities presented by the High Court's recent Blue Mud Bay decision.

·  WHO’S PUSHING DOPE TO DESTROY INDIGENOUS YOUTH? by Karakwine and MNN Staff  
UN Observer - Aug 09 10:40 AM
Drug abuse in Indigenous communities is not random. Someone wants us to be pacified and to push us to have a total social breakdown. They want our brains, morals and ambition destroyed. They want our Indigenous youth to be criminalized and minimized.

·  'Adat can solve many of our woes'  
The New Straits Times - Aug 09 4:38 PM
PENAMPANG: Age-old customs handed down for generations in indigenous communities offer a wealth of knowledge which can help modern society deal with present social and environmental problems.

Women collecting firewood in Haruku Island in Maluku / the Moluccas

Development has not taken place in Maluku

Customary Council of Kei Besar island in Maluku during sasi ceremony for coconuts

Maluku has been going against The Millenium Development Goals set by the whole world, i.e. to reduce poverty by halve in 2015. Instead, Maluku has been actively increasing its poverty level significantly!

WHAT CAUSES POVERTY IN MALUKU?

The poverty level in Maluku Province has increase substantially since 2004. The current poverty level is at approx.60%, an increase of ~30% since 2004. As a result, Maluku is now in "ABSOLUTE POVERTY". Development has not taken place in Maluku, thus it's safe to say that the Provincial Government of Maluku has abandoned its people, the poor Moluccans. The social conflict that took place in Maluku between 1999 to 2003 has opened up a lot of opportunities for Maluku to speed up its recovery & development processes simply because post conflict era has brought abundant funding to Maluku, be it from national sources as well as international supports. The President Decree no.6 (INPRES 6) is one very good example where both Maluku & North Maluku provinces have been given special funds to rebuild themselves. This and other forms of funds have been pouring into Maluku, but none is able to even maintain the poverty level. Instead, the poverty level is rapidly increasing!! The World Bank's "Voices of the Poor", based on research with over 20,000 poor people in 23 countries, identifies a range of factors which poor people identify as part of poverty. These include:

1.precarious livelihoods, 2.excluded locations, 3.physical limitations, 4.gender relationships, 5.problems in social relationships, 6.lack of security, 7.abuse by those in power, 8.disempowering institutions, 9. limited capabilities, and 10. weak community organisations. 

Out of the 10 factors of poverty, point number 7 & 8 are highlighted simply because they're most relevant to Maluku's current condition. The Government of Maluku Province has frequently abusing its power by unjustly & incorrectly spending its money. With over Rp.10 Triliun of incoming fund in the past 3 years, Maluku should be better off by now. Additionally, The Government of Maluku has also disempowered its State-Owned enterprises such as PD Panca Karya by placing incompetent individuals to sit on the executive positions. Their appointments have disabled the institution to grow and achieve the ideal profitability level as it should have been able to accomplish. This is the true nepotism at its best! In West Southeastern part of Maluku, out of 18,000 primary school graduates each year, only 4,000 are able to enter into high school. Maluku is loosing at least 14,000 new generation each year! This has been going on for sometimes and the Provincial Government of Maluku has done very little to overcome this critical issue. Four (4) years after the social conflict, over 9,000 refugees are still stranded. To date, no clear picture of what probable solutions that the Provincial Government will take to finally solve this prolonged issue! The international communities are urged to speak up & put pressure to the Provincial Government of Maluku to seriously take care of its two main issues: Poverty & Refugees. Maluku has been going against The Millenium Development Goals set by the whole world, i.e. to reduce poverty by halve in 2015. Instead, Maluku has been actively increasing its poverty level significantly! 

Send your Letter of Concern to the following Officials: 
Mr. Karel Albert Ralahalu Governor of Maluku 2nd floor Jl. Raya Pattimura no.1 Ambon, Maluku 97128 Phone: +62 911 352321 Fax: +62 911 352180 Dr. Ristianto Sugiono Head of Planning & Development Board 3rd floor Jl. Raya Pattimura no.1 Ambon, Maluku 917128 Phone: +62 911 352043 Fax: +62 911 355933 Email: bappeda_maluku@yahoo.com