Mokokchung, November 21(MExN) : A one-day seminar on United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was held here today at the town hall, organized by the Concerned Senior Citizens Forum, Mokokchung where about 200 participated from the district . The seminar adopted 8 important resolutions at its conclusion, and amongst which includes “The Ao community with great appreciation welcomes the UN declaration on the rights of the Indigenous Peoples Rights and resolved to pursue towards fulfillment of the charter pertaining to Indo-Naga political issue under this principle.”
Speaking to The Morung Express News, Dr. Lanusashi Longkumer, one of the resource persons of the day’s seminar, shared that the seminar was reasonably participated from a wide spectrum of the citizens of Mokokchung district. The participants included eminent individuals, concerned citizens, elders from various villages, representatives from the various ward authorities of Mokokchung town, members of Concerned Citizens Forum (CCF), representatives of Gaonburas and Dobashis, Watsu Mungdan, AKM, Ao Senden, Church leaders, Government officials, SIB personnel, university teachers and students.
NU professors Prof. A. Lanunungsang and Dr. Lanusashi Longkumer were the honored speakers for this important seminar involving discussion and deliberation on the history and evolution of Human Rights struggle across the world, the UN system and the recently acknowledged, adopted rights of indigenous peoples.
The seminar was moderated by Dr. Sangyu Yaden, NU Lumami wherein the Professor spoke on the topic on the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples in Naga context, while Dr. Longkumer spoke on the topic of the Rights and privileges of the world Indigenous Peoples in Naga context.
The deliberation commenced with the Town Church Associate Pastor saying the grace which was followed by the presentations from the speakers and a discussion hour.
A broad exchange of opinions including raising of critical and relevant questions and which were responded during the discussion hour. To a query put forward by one of the attendees of the seminar with reference to Article 47 of the UN declaration, which provides that indigenous peoples rights movements should not be secessionist, Prof. Lanunungsang clarified that the Government of India has recognized the "uniqueness of Naga history and situation" and that Nagas are fighting for their legitimate right, and the question of India's disintegration does not arise.
Dr. Longkumer defined the indigenous peoples as "original descendants of land" and as the earliest population group that survive in a region or a state characterized by "to determine to preserve, develop and transmit future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity on the basis of their continued existence as peoples," and as equal to all people of the world, exercising their birthright free from domination and discrimination.
Dr Longkumer succinctly explained “Where in the past during the colonial period suppression and oppression have been passively accepted as a norm, however the post world war II period witness a drastic change of understanding and acceptance to such dehumanization, Following this the United Nation came into existence, the Universal Declaration on Human rights adopted and Decolonization process commenced where oppressed peoples all over the world began exercising the right to self to determination. Now the past trend such as suppression and discrimination or violation of human rights has been resisted and concerns raised by all conscious world citizens. With the recent adoption of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous peoples, the past excluded and suppressed section of the world community including Nagas, such as indigenous people should use the International document to promote, defend and exercise their rights as a peoples and Nation.”
Some of the Resolutions adopted includes the following (1) Resolved to acknowledge the United Nations for their initiatives on the matter of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the world and to support all moves for translating the declaration into reality.
(2) Resolved that we will encourage and support Naga individuals and organizations working with different nationals and UN Agencies for rights of the indigenous peoples.
(3)We will support all democratic indigenous movements/struggles that are working all over the world in general and India and Myanmar in particular. (5) In continuation of the seminar, it was resolved to work out possible ways in inviting the UNPO to our land to play their effective roles for early implementation of the declaration on Indo-Naga unsettled political issue. (6) Resolved to educate the people so that they understand the provisions of this charter and the right of self determination on the indigenous peoples rights. (7) Further, it was resolved to move Naga Hoho to translate this UN document into various local dialects and make available to the general public. (8) The organizer of the seminar is authorized to take follow-up action towards fulfillment of this resolution.
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