While Walesi Indigenous Foundation Director , Deny Rahadian speaks to the participants (Jubi/Roberth Wanggai)
Jayapura, Jubi – The village participatory map program is a means of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples to land, the executive director of the Assessment and Empowerment of Indigenous Papuans (pt.PPMA-P), Zadrak Wamebu, said.
He there has been disagreement between indigenous peoples’ policy and the state’s policies. Many indigenous people frequently lose their rights due to state policies, prompting them to rebel.
“Most of indigenous Papuans have been fighting for their rights. For example, they took the option of armed resistance. So, we try to give an explanation to the public to not fight against the state. Because the state is always equipped with the military, the police, judges and everything, ” Wamebu said told Jubi on Thursday (23/10).
The change can only be done if the community expressed injustice that they experienced. It will promote a change in policy.
“As, we did almost 25 years and now a change has occurred. Only, we must remember that the state is unlikely to change without any encouragement. Besides that the regulation is always too late which is as we know that it regulates everything and we try to bridge it, “he said.
The mapping is a part of protecting the customary rights of indigenous peoples. Only with maps and information, it could be explained the position of Indigenous Peoples. He hopes that it will be interpreted into regulation.
“Our struggle is how to make it into legal recognition. So I used to say, this country belongs to indigenous peoples from Aceh to Papua, “he added
While Walesi Indigenous Foundation Director , Deny Rahadian said Papua is actually a pioneer in mapping participatory and it has been doing since two years ago.
“In conducting mapping participatory program in Papua, some indigenous peoples are assisted by Samdhana Institute through its partners ,” he stated.
Samdhana facilitated these activities to support indgenous mapping in order to empower them in land and resource. Samdhana also encouraged the Indogenous peoples map indigenous peoples to be recognized legally. (Arjuna Pademme/ Tina)
