Statement

José Francisco Calí Tzay 21 March 2024 As you all know today 21 March marks a very special day.  Today is the United Nations Day on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination because on 21 March 1960, police in South Africa opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, against the apartheid “pass laws”. The UN General Assembly proclaimed this Day in  1966 to commemorate this massacre and to call upon the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial…

Joint Statement of Indigenous Community Representatives Of the Kingdom of Cambodia On Concerns Relating to the Environment and Natural Resources Code Angkor Century Resort and Spa, Siem Reap December 19, 2023 ************** On December 19, 2023, at the Angkor Century Resort in Siem Reap, we, 189 representatives of Indigenous communities, including 44 women, convened at the National Consensus Consultative Workshop between Indigenous Peoples and Other Stakeholders to gather relevant input on concerns about the content…

The UPR process is new for Cambodia's Indigenous Peoples, notably the IPOs, who have less experience preparing reports on the government's implementation and responding to the recommendations of other states and stakeholders. For the 3rd cycle, only CIPA and CIYA had a chance with the support from AIPP to develop a joint submission for the first time in the name of Indigenous Peoples in which comprehensive consultation had not been done thoroughly with Indigenous organizations and communities. In this year's 4th UPR Cycle,…

During the 29th observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we, the Indigenous Peoples of Cambodia have come to a consensus to issue a statement to ensure that our concerns are heard and considered by relevant stakeholders. The statement contains important recommendations pertaining to various sectors of indigenous communities. Click here to download a full statement in PDF

This year marks the 29th International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, with the theme "Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-Determination." It reminds us of the significant roles that young Indigenous Peoples play in the conservation and preservation of the rich cultures of Indigenous Peoples around the world. AIPP, a regional Indigenous platform, issues a statement to amplify our voices on the occasion of the commemoration. Click here to download the full statement on the IPs Day 2023

16th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) 17th to 21st July 2023, Geneva, Switzerland Joint Statement on Agenda Item 7: International Decade of Indigenous Languages By Rachana Sam At, Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Alliance (CIPA) On behalf of Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus Dear Madam/ Mr. Chair, The Indigenous Peoples’ in Asia appreciates the joint efforts of the EMRIP, UNESCO, OHCHR, IFAD and other relevant UN agencies in drawing global attention to the critical situation of…

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Sixteenth session 17-21 July 2023 Monday 17 July Item 7: International Decade of Indigenous Languages Madam Chair, distinguished members of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, esteemed delegates, and fellow Indigenous Peoples, Our histories and cultures, our wisdom and aspirations, have all played an integral role in shaping the world we inhabit and our identity itself. And language is the enabler, and it is at the heart of all these…

National Consultation Forum on Indigenous Women’s Issues and Challenges on Law Enforcements and Two New Draft Laws on Forestry and Protected Areas

On 15-16 August 2022, indigenous peoples held a consultative workshop to collect inputs for the draft amendments to the Law on Protected Areas 2008 and the Forestry Law at the Somadevi Angkor Hotel & Resort, Siem Reap City. This consultation is composed of a total of 181 participants. This includes 151 representatives from indigenous communities (30 female), 23 representatives of indigenous organizations and associations,  two Indigenous advisors, 1 non-indigenous advisor, 5 indigenous lawyers,  12 representatives…

Input consultation for the process of amending the Law on Forestry and the Law on Protected Areas is a very important part of the process, particularly for indigenous communities, as the actors will benefit greatly from these two laws if they are made in accordance with their decisions, adequate consultation, and with as many stakeholders as possible included. But if the consultation process does not allow for enough participation from all stakeholders, it will have a significant impact on how these laws are implemented.…