Indigenous Peoples in Asia
Hearing Notice
Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for another in a series of hearings regarding the rights of indigenous peoples from around the world, this time focusing on Asia.
There are an estimated 260 million indigenous people in Asia, making it the most culturally diverse region in the world. Although some countries have legislative protections for indigenous groups, many states ignore or overrule these guaranteed rights or, worse yet, fail to provide any protections. The core challenges facing indigenous peoples in Asia include the denial of self-determination, a lack of control over resources, and various pressures exerted by states in their development efforts which have a devastating impact in indigenous communities.
This hearing will look at the most common and urgent human rights concerns facing indigenous peoples in Asia. In addition to a general survey of issues, the Commission will examine the specific cases of the Adivasis in India, the Rohingyas in Burma, and the indigenous people of the Gilgit Baltistan region in Pakistan.
If you have any questions, please contact Molly Hofsommer (Rep. McGovern) at 202-226-6379 or Kalinda Stephenson (Rep. Wolf) at 202-225-3599, or send an email to tlhrc@mail.house.gov.
Hosted by:
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Opening Remarks
- Rep. James P. McGovern, Co-Chair, TLHRC
Written remarks
Witnesses
-
Sophie Richardson, Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
Written testimony -
Rashmi Ekka, Founder and Executive Director, Adivasi Development Network
Written testimony -
Jennifer Quigley, Advocacy Director, U.S. Campaign for Burma
Written testimony -
Senge Sering, Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies
Written testimony