In 2011, it
is reported that 200 uncontacted Indians in
Who are they?
According to Survival International (an
organization devoted to protecting and helping the tribal peoples), tribal
peoples are those “who have followed ways of life for many
generations that are largely self-sufficient (自給自足), and are different from the mainstream and dominant society”.
There are
over 150 million tribal people inhabiting more than 60 countries across the
world. Despite the recognition of land ownership under the International Law 169, their right is not respected. You might think they are strong as they can survive in the forests
alongside the wild animals without advanced weapons and tools. However, this is
not the whole picture. In fact, they could be perceived as the most vulnerable (易受傷害的) people.
(The distribution of the threatened tribal peoples)
Batak, Philippiness
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International Law 169 (ILO 169) Adopted in 1989,
ILO 169 is a convention regarding indigenous and tribal peoples in
independent countries. By rectifying the convention, the government agrees
to protect and recognize the social, cultural, religious and spiritual values
and practices of the people. It should also consult the opinions of
the people if they would be affected by legislative and administrative
measures. Studies are also to be conducted on the potential impacts of
economic development within the tribal areas.
(To
date, only 22 countries have rectified ILO 169) |
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Some Cases of violation: a.
The
violation of consultation rights A local
community of Carhuncho in b.
Abuse of
human rights Hudbay
Minerals Inc., a Canadian mining group, has been alleged of disregarding the
local opposition of mining activities in |
Challenges
In recent
decades, the tribes are facing threats from the outsiders.
The lives of the tribal peoples are often disturbed by government works and
commercial activities. The construction of
infrastructure (基建), such as highways, roads and
railways, crossing the land of the inhabitants is not unheard of. Their homes
are also destroyed by lumbering and mining activities.
Eco-tourism (生態旅遊), increasing in popularity as
it satisfies the outsiders’ curiosity about the mysterious tribes, would cause
disturbance as well. As a result, the tribal peoples might be
forced into relocation, leaving the place where they could lead a peaceful and
self-sufficient life.
Instead of bringing progress to the tribes, development places them in
jeopardy (危險) , causing various kinds of health problems.
Diseases
Tribal peoples are vulnerable to new diseases brought by outsiders,
causing a significant decrease in the population and even a possibility of
annihilation (滅絕).
For instance, the life expectancy (平均壽命) of the Aborigines(原住民)
is relatively lower. When comparing the Aborigines with the Australians,
the former are 6 times more likely to die as an infant, 6 times more likely to
die from a stroke (中風), 8 times more likely to die
from lung or heart diseases and 22 times more likely to die from diabetes (糖尿病). Their life expectancy is 17 to 20 years less
than the Australians. Situation is even more acute in the Great Andamanese as
99% of the tribe died, leaving only 53 people today.
HIV/AIDS is another health
threat to the tribes. For instance, the rate of HIV/AIDS infection for the
indigenous Papuans (巴布亞人) is 15
times higher than the national average and is soaring. This can be attributed
to the soldiers who bring with them prostitutes (娼妓) as bribe (賄賂) so that the indigenous people would give up their land.
Starvation
Some tribes lose their land so they could not grow enough food. In
11,000 Guarani Indians are squeezed into an area that can barely support
300. Their homes have to give way to the cattle ranches, and soya and sugar
plantation, depriving them of sufficient source of food. The Brazilian
government provides them with oil, rice and flour but there is no wood to cook
them. What the tribal peoples want most is the land they had once inhabited.
Obesity
With no land but supply of processed food, there is a significant change
in the lifestyle and diet. The dependence on high-fat food, together with a
sedentary (久坐的) lifestyle, means that the tribal peoples
are becoming susceptible to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Poor and
delayed treatment could lead to blindness, kidney failure, strokes, heart
diseases and amputations (截肢). In the Pima reservation (
Addiction and Suicide
Relocation and settlement poses challenges to the tribal people as 
they might have troubles getting accustomed to the new life. Some seek relief from drugs, alcohol or even petrol.
Adults indulge in drinking, Sniffing petrol (吸氣油) is an acute problem among the Innu youth.
Some resort to suicide. It is recorded that the suicide rates of Indian groups
in
Organizations for tribes
Survival International (國際生存者組織)
Founded in 1969, Survival works with 
hundreds of tribal communities and organizations for the rights of
tribal peoples around the world. Its source of fund is
mainly from the public but not the government as the latter is often the violators of tribal people’s rights.
Pro-Yanomami Commission (CCPY)
It is founded in 1978 with the goal of protecting the rights of the
Yanomami in
The tribal people are self-sufficient until the outsiders invade their
lives and force them to leave their homes. Government and private companies
often do this under the pretext of bringing about progress and development
without considering the harmful effects it might cause to the tribal people. Their hostility to outsiders is therefore understandable as
what they want is their lives and land intervened.
References:
Environmental Law
‘Hudbay to Investigate
International Labour Organization. C169
Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989. 1 January, 1989.
Survival International. www.survivalinternational.org
Questions:
1. What is your impression about the tribal people? What
is your opinion about the outsiders’ activities in the land of the tribes?
2. How far do you think the relevant laws and organizations can help to
protect the rights of the tribal people?
3. In face of the shortage of natural resources, do you think we should
develop the tribal areas? How can we strike a balance between development and
the protection of tribal areas?