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Asia

Indigenous Peoples in Asia

Approximately two thirds of the world’s Indigenous Peoples live in Asia; between 260 and 350 million people representing more than 2,000 distinct Peoples. They are often referred to as ethnic minorities, Hill Tribes, Scheduled Tribes, Adivasis, Orang Asli, and other terms. 

Their lives and livelihoods are intricately linked to their territories and resources, and their food systems range from hunting and gathering, to pastoralism, farming, shifting cultivation, and fishing.

Challenges

In Asia, Indigenous Peoples face persistent marginalization, and experience forced displacement from their traditional territories, intimidation, threats, and violence, due to infrastructure projects, extractive industries, logging, and industrial agriculture. Indigenous Peoples’ rights defenders are increasingly being labeled as “terrorists” for standing up to these destructive projects.

Land is Life in Asia

Our work supports Indigenous Peoples in The Philippines, Northeast India, Nepal, The Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and Myanmar to advance peace and justice, support Indigenous Peoples’ rights defenders, and strengthen their self determination..

Our Programs in Asia

  1. Indigenous Women’s Program
  2. Indigenous-Led Security Funds
  3. Advocacy, Campaigns, and Strategic Engagement
  4. Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Security Program
  5. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Program

KEY LAND IS LIFE’S PARTNERS IN ASIA

Red tagging in the Philippines is a life and death issue. A succession of repressive governments has used the practice (naming land defenders as communists, terrorists and subversives) in order to eliminate opposition to extractive industry projects that the government has been promoting. Disappearances, jail terms, and false accusations have almost become the norm. Land is Life supports Indigenous Peoples’ leaders who have been red-tagged by providing legal assistance and financial support for their families and organizations. We also work with Indigenous Peoples in The Philippines to protect their territories from mining and other extractive industries, to strengthen Indigenous women’s organizations, and to advance the rights of the Indigenous LGBTI community.

Land is Life supports the Jumma People in their efforts to realize full implementation of the CHT Accord, to end militarization of the CHT, to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations, and to support Indigenous Peoples’ rights defenders so that they speak freely and can carry out their work safely.

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