After adopted by the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat – DPR) in April 2013, indigenous people feel there’s no significant progress on the bill about the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous People’s Rights (Perlindungan Hak Masyarakak Adat – RUU PPHMHA). To encourage understanding matter and collects things that can be done regarding this bill, Indigenous People’s Alliance of the Archipelago (Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara – AMAN) held a national consultation in Jakarta (22/5).
In his speech, AMAN Director of Advocacy, Erasmus Cahyadi regrets the inaction of DPR in discussing the bill though assisted by four ministries. “After a year the various questions like material arranged, discussion process, when approved and other important questions are not yet clear. People deserve worry,” he said.
According to Erasmus, two things that become the spotlight of this bill are the existence of special institutions that organize the indigenous peoples and indigenous judicial. AMAN proposes the establishment of The Indigenous People Commission to handle the coordination development agenda, conflict resolution, as well as research and development of indigenous law. Meanwhile, related to indigenous judicial, Erasmus requested that the bill brings indigenous judicial in its proper place, apart from formal state judicial formed by the local government.
Related to this, head of DPR RI special committee for PPHMHA bill, Himayatul Aliyah argued that his team had visited some provinces and invited some communities of indigenous people in a hearing at the House of Representatives. “After the legislative elections, some members of the special committee was not elected again in the Council. But, we promise to finish this bill before the term ends,” said Aliyah when asked about the commitment of his team. Meanwhile, official from the Ministry of forestry, Made Gelgel Subagia who became the coordinator for this bill, didn’t attend this event.
On the other hand, Commissioner of Human Rights National Commission, Sandra Moniaga remarked the importance of looking at the substance in this Bill. “The bill should be good and through a right process. Do not receive draft, if the substance does not meet or contrary to the human rights principles. The draft also must be able to be implemented in the society,” he added. Azhari Fauzi.