Indonesia is rich in cultural and ethnic diversity. Indigenous Peoples are also part of this diversity. According to the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), one definition of indigenous peoples is those who live and settle in an area for generations. Indigenous peoples, with all their traditions and local wisdom, have become an integral part of the history and identity of the nation. However, so far, their rights have often been ignored, and legal recognition of their existence is still very minimal. Therefore, Draft Law (RUU)) Indigenous Peoples are one of the crucial issues that need to be immediately ratified in an effort to protect this living space.
PARTNERSHIP, which is also part of the Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill through the 11 October 2024 Mass Movement in front of the DPR Building, is pushing for the fulfillment of demands for the indigenous peoples' agenda in the new government. The Indigenous Peoples Bill has been fought for since the early 2000s. And in 2012, this bill began to be officially discussed in parliament. Various institutions, including non-governmental organizations and indigenous communities, are actively advocating for the recognition of indigenous peoples' rights, as well as the protection of their culture and environment.
Here are a number of reasons why the ratification of the bill Indigenous Peoples is essential, not only for the protection of indigenous peoples' rights, but also for sustainable social, economic and environmental development.
1. Providing Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Rights
The main reason for immediately passing the Indigenous Peoples Bill is to provide legal recognition to the rights of indigenous peoples. In this context, these rights include the right to land, natural resources, and the right to maintain their culture. As previously mentioned, indigenous peoples are those who live and reside in an area for generations, so they have sovereignty over the land. So with this bill, it is hoped that these rights will be officially recognized, so that indigenous peoples can have legal certainty in managing existing resources.
With the ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill, they will have legal protection from the government and companies that have the potential to harm them for economic interests. They can also be more active in participating in the planning and management of resources in their area. This bill is expected to improve the welfare of indigenous peoples and encourage more inclusive and sustainable development.
2. Providing Protection for Culture and Tradition
The ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill can also protect the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples that have been inherited since the time of their ancestors. Indigenous peoples are those who have values and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. This bill can regulate the recognition of the language, art, and traditional practices that are characteristic of each indigenous group. The culture and traditions of indigenous peoples are often threatened by modernization, exploitation of natural resources, and development policies that do not consider local values. With legal recognition, indigenous peoples can preserve the cultural practices, languages, and traditions that are their identity, and ensure that future generations can inherit and continue this cultural wealth.
3. Support Community Economic Empowerment
The ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill is also expected to encourage economic empowerment for indigenous peoples. With the recognition of land and natural resource rights, indigenous peoples can manage and utilize these resources sustainably. Some indigenous peoples depend on nature. Their livelihoods are farmers or cultivators. From the results of agriculture or farming, they can meet the daily food needs of their families or sell excess commodities to the market. Even a number of local crops can also be made into crafts such as woven mats, woven bags, weaving with natural dyes, and others.
4. Providing Space for Participation in Decision Making
The ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill will provide an opportunity for indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making that affects their lives. Such as development plans in the locations where they live. Due to current practices, many decisions and development projects are made without involving indigenous peoples as decision-makers, so that conflicts often arise in areas that end in violence against indigenous peoples by the authorities. So with the ratification of this Indigenous Peoples Bill, there is a legal guarantee for the community to have the right to be involved in planning and implementing policies related to their territory and resources.
5. Protect and Support Environmental Sustainability
Indigenous communities are rich in local knowledge in sustainable natural resource management. Local knowledge held by indigenous communities contributes to environmental conservation efforts through local practices that do not damage the environment. Quoted from the media release of the Mass Movement of the Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill, it was stated that until now the government has not made the Community the main actor in efforts to overcome the climate crisis. Various policies that have been issued such as Presidential Regulation No. 98/2021, Law No. 7/2021 concerning Tax Harmonization, and other derivative regulations are actually used to provide impunity for corporations that destroy nature and the environment to seize the living space of Indigenous Peoples.
Therefore, by passing the Indigenous Peoples Bill, it is expected to protect local knowledge and encourage sustainable practices to maintain ecosystems and biodiversity. By integrating indigenous peoples' local knowledge into environmental policies, the government can create more effective solutions to the environmental challenges faced today.
6. Realizing Social Justice for Indigenous Peoples and Other Marginalized Groups
The ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill is also an important step in realizing social justice. Many indigenous peoples have experienced marginalization and discrimination. With legal recognition and protection, this bill will help address the injustices they experience. This will not only provide indigenous peoples with the rights they deserve, but also strengthen their position in the wider society.
However, one of the main challenges that often occurs is resistance from certain parties who see the recognition of indigenous peoples' rights as a threat. So it takes intense dialogue that builds and collaboration between the government, indigenous peoples, civil society organizations and stakeholders to be able to bridge these challenges.
Given the importance of recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples, it is clear that the ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill is a very important and urgent step. This is not only about granting rights to indigenous peoples, but also about creating an inclusive, just and sustainable society. By ratifying this bill, Indonesia can demonstrate its commitment to realizing an inclusive society amidst diversity.
This article was also published at https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2024/10/12/08562581/urgensi-pengesahan-ruu-masyarakat-adat
