Shillong, August 10: The Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC) while observing the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples under the theme “Protect our rights, our lands” express its serious concern to the government’s failure in solving the long pending border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
While observing the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples despite the fact that over the past decade, the respective governments have engaged in their discussions on this issue to find an acceptable solution.
“We urgently need to address the continuing violations of our collective rights as indigenous peoples, particularly our rights to our lands and territories which are the based our identity, wellbeing, dignity and collective survival and development” said Dino D. G. Dympep Chairman MPHRC.
“Though India have yet to incorporate the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in its national laws, policies and programmes to fulfill its obligation in legally recognizing and protecting our collective rights, we strongly slammed the Government of Meghalaya on the shrinking democratic space for indigenous peoples and other stake holders through the recent restriction of the legitimate action on the right to freedom of expression and assembly which is a clear violation of India’s obligations to human rights as members of the United Nations.” said MPHRC.
“Despite the challenges that we face, our collective strength and concerted actions will enable us to overcome this condition. The sacrifices and heroism of our ancestors and leaders remind and guide us. We take stock of what we have achieved and make these our staging point to move forward and persevere to realize and fulfill our rights, and ensure a better future” said MPHRC.
MPHRC strongly urge the Government of Meghalaya and Assam to ,respect, protect and fulfill our rights through the proper implementation of the UNDRIP, other relevant international human rights instruments and standards and recognize and protect our land rights and our right to free, prior and informed consent.
“We are the rights holders and agents of change. We have the solutions. The recognition of our rights, particularly our collective rights to lands and territories is the key to addressing the worsening our severely impact and threaten our customary rights” said MPHRC.
“On the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples today, we join hands together, strengthen our solidarity and multiply our efforts in asserting our rights to shape a better future for the next generations, the next guardians of the Mother Earth. while observing the while observing the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples now conclude MPHRC
