Kohima, August 9 (MExN): Only through the universal right to self-determination, “it is possible for indigenous peoples, including Nagas, to assert our rights over our land, over the political, economic, social, traditions, etc.”
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) stated this today while commemorating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples under the theme ‘Reaffirming our Roots, Embracing our Future.’
NPMHR called upon all Nagas to “solemnly review and reaffirm where we all began, the very foundation and recognition of our peoples as a Nation, and work in unison even as we journey towards the threshold of our political future.”
In collaboration with the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), the NPMHR observed the 10th Anniversary of UNDRIP and the 25th Anniversary of AIPP today at Hotel Ura.
In solidarity with the indigenous fraternity throughout the world in general and Asia in particular, NPMHR called on the “need to be prepared to face the challenges.”
“We are today faced with many challenges which are trying times for our people, which come in the form of new governance systems, militarization, market forces, developmental aggressions, etc. The process of alienation is rapidly taking place, which include our cultural systems or indigenous knowledge systems,” noted a press statement from the rights’ body.
