PRESS STATEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR (9 AUGUST 2021) – The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated on 9 August, to raise awareness on the needs of these population groups, and to strengthen international cooperation in solving problems faced by indigenous peoples such as their rights, the environment, development, education, health, economic and social development. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) supports this year’s theme “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract”, to demand for their inclusion, participation, and approval in the constitution of a system with social and economic benefits for all.
Often times, indigenous peoples are excluded from social contracts, which are unwritten agreement or practice to cooperate for social and economic benefits, usually made by the majority or main influencers, thereby amplifying their vulnerability. A number of countries have sought to redress these disparities through public apologies, truth and reconciliation efforts, legislative reforms, as well as constitutional reforms. SUHAKAM calls for the Malaysian Government to take immediate actions to implement all of SUHAKAM’s recommendations derived from the Report of the National Inquiry (NI) into the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Malaysia that was published in August 2013, without any further delay, whilst recognizing the indigenous peoples’ right to participate in the decision-making process at all levels.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts have tested Malaysia’s capability and the people’s resilience, especially for the vulnerable communities such as the indigenous peoples. Many indigenous peoples have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to, financial insecurity, poor health status, and limited access to technology thereby restricting access to news and updates on the pandemic. SUHAKAM acknowledges and appreciates the five additional initiatives taken by the Government to further increase the capacity and expedite the vaccination process under the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK), including the provision of mobile vaccination centres (PPVs) and door-to-door outreach programs for indigenous people’s communities. Efforts to provide sufficient and accurate information in simple local language should be ramped up, to encourage the indigenous communities to come forward for vaccinations.
It is important to highlight that Article 21 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), states that Indigenous Peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including, inter alia, in the areas of education, health, employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health, and social security. As such, SUHAKAM urges the Government, including the State Governments and all relevant stakeholders, to take necessary steps, towards progressively achieving the full realization of the aforementioned rights.
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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
9 August 2021
Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my
KENYATAAN MEDIA
KUALA LUMPUR (9 OGOS 2021) – Hari Antarabangsa Orang Asal Sedunia disambut pada 9 Ogos, untuk meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai keperluan populasi ini, dan untuk meningkatkan kerjasama antarabangsa dalam menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi oleh Orang Asal seperti hak asasi, persekitaran, pembangunan, pendidikan, kesihatan, pembangunan ekonomi dan sosial. Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) mendukung tema tahun ini iaitu “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract”, yang menuntut penglibatan, penyertaan, dan persetujuan mereka dalam pembentukan sistem dengan manfaat sosial dan ekonomi untuk semua.
Sering kali, Orang Asal dikecualikan daripada kontrak sosial, yang merupakan persetujuan atau amalan yang tidak bertulis untuk bekerjasama bagi manfaat sosial dan ekonomi, yang kebiasannya dipelopori oleh kaum majoriti, lalu meningkatkan kerentanan Orang Asal. Banyak negara telah berusaha untuk memperbaiki masalah ini melalui permohonan maaf secara terbuka, memulihkan hubungan, reformasi perundangan dan perlembagaan. SUHAKAM menyeru agar Kerajaan Malaysia mengambil tindakan segera untuk melaksanakan semua cadangan SUHAKAM hasil daripada Laporan Inkuiri Nasional (NI) mengenai Hak Tanah Orang Asal/Asli di Malaysia yang diterbitkan pada bulan Ogos 2013, tanpa berlengah lagi, disambil mengiktiraf hak Orang Asal untuk mengambil bahagian dalam proses membuat keputusan di semua peringkat.
Pandemik COVID-19 dan impaknya yang dahsyat telah menguji kemampuan Malaysia dan daya tahan rakyatnya, terutama bagi masyarakat rentan seperti Orang Asal. Kebanyakan Orang Asal telah terkesan akibat pandemik COVID-19 dengan teruk kerana masalah kewangan, status kesihatan, dan akses teknologi yang terhad sehingga mengehadkan akses kepada berita dan perkembangan mengenai wabak tersebut. SUHAKAM mengakui dan menghargai lima inisiatif tambahan yang diambil oleh Kerajaan untuk meningkatkan kapasiti dan mempercepat proses vaksinasi di bawah Program Imunisasi COVID-19 Kebangsaan (PICK), termasuk penyediaan Pusat Pemberian Vaksin (PPV) Bergerak dan program capaian dari pintu ke pintu untuk Orang Asal. Usaha untuk menyediakan maklumat yang mencukupi dan tepat dalam bahasa tempatan yang mudah difahami harus dilakukan, bagi memudahkan proses vaksinansi kepada komuniti ini.
Adalah penting untuk ditekankan bahawa Artikel 21 Deklarasi PBB mengenai Hak-hak Orang Asal (UNDRIP), menyatakan bahawa komuniti ini mempunyai hak, tanpa diskriminasi, untuk memperbaiki keadaan ekonomi dan sosial mereka, termasuk antara lain, dalam bidang pendidikan, kesihatan, pekerjaan, latihan vokasional dan pembelajaran semula, perumahan, sanitasi, kesihatan, dan keselamatan sosial. Oleh itu, SUHAKAM mendesak Kerajaan, termasuk Kerajaan Negeri dan semua pihak berkaitan, untuk mengambil langkah-langkah yang berkaitan bagi mencapai matlamat dan memenuhi hak-hak yang termaktub.
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Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
9 Ogos 2021
Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my
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