INTRODUCTION UNDRIP MANUAL FINAL AIPP

RIGHTS AIPP AIPP Regional Capacity Building Program - Training Manual on the UNDRIP 185 vice. They should be supported and groomed to become new and upright leaders of our indig- enous communities. Indigenous elders are those aged 60 years and above. They have special needs and rights. Many continue to be essential forces in the livelihood and economic activity of indigenous communities. Some of them have become weak or disabled or depen- dent on their children and families for their survival. Many are holders of wisdom and traditional knowl- edge that are important to the continued survival and balanced development of our indigenous communi- ties. Others are traditional leaders and veterans of our long-running struggles to defend and assert our rights as indigenous peoples. It is essential to val- ue and care for our indigenous elders as important members of the community, to provide their needs, and to learn from their knowledge and experiences so that these may continue to be transmitted to the younger generation. The disabled are those persons with deficiencies, whether congenital or not, in their physi- cal or mental capacities. These deficiencies make them unable to ensure by themselves, wholly or partly, the necessities of a normal individual and social life. It is necessary to prevent physical and mental disabilities from being a barrier to the meaningful participation of indigenous per- sons in their community. We should assist disabled persons in developing their abilities in the most varied fields of activities and to promote their integration in normal life as far as possible.

II. UNDRIP PROVISIONS FOR THE SPECIAL SECTORS

Article 7 2. Indigenous peoples have the collective right to live in freedom, peace and security as distinct peoples and shall not be subjected to any act of genocide or any other act of vio- lence, including forcibly removing children of the group to another group. Article 14 2. Indigenous individuals, particularly children, have the right to all levels and forms of education of the State without discrimination. 3. States shall, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, take effective measures, in order for indigenous individuals, particularly children, including those living outside their communities, to have access, when possible, to an education in their own culture and provided in their own language. Article 17 2. States shall in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples take specific mea- sures to protect indigenous children from economic exploitation and from performing any work Present a list of the relevant UNDRIP provisions. Involve participants in reading the pro- visions. Discuss and elaborate on each provision. Suggested Method Hmong woman, Chang Khian village, Chiang Mai province, Thailand. Photo by Chris Erni Module-9 RIGHTS AIPP AIPP Regional Capacity Building Program - Training Manual on the UNDRIP 186 that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development, taking into account their special vulnerability and the importance of education for their empowerment. Article 21 1. Indigenous peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including, inter alia, in the areas of education, employment, vo- cational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security. 2. States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities. Article 22 1. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities in the implementation of this Declaration. 2. States shall take measures, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, to ensure that indig- enous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination. Article 44 All the rights and freedoms recognized herein are equally guaranteed to male and female indigenous individuals.

III. REALITIES ON THE GROUND

A. General Situaion

Indigenous women, children, youth, el- ders and disabled persons are more often than not subjected to particular forms of dis- crimination and oppression. Specifically for indigenous women, aside from the discrimination they experience as indigenous peoples, they are often stereo- typed as being fit only to do domestic work. They are thus tied to the home and prevented from meaningful participation in community affairs. In addition, many tribal communities continue to practice their traditional male- dominated socio-political systems where women are not fully involved in decision-making. This is so despite the important role that in- digenous women play in agricultural production and other livelihood activities for the family. Also, because of the notion that they are inferior or subordinate to men, women often be- come victims of sexual harassment, abuse and physical violence by men and the dominant soci- ety. Violence against women is thus a normal or usual occurrence. In areas that are militarized or occupied by settlers, indigenous women often become victims of violence at the hands of state forces and other outsiders. Break up the participants into groups, to discuss the situation of the women, chil- dren, youth, elderly and disabled. Print out and distribute the following ques- tions to guide their discussion. Have each group present the results of their discussion in plenary, then synthe- size, providing additional input if neces- sary. You might wish to use the following in your input. Suggested Method Module-9