Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE)

Power Struggle: Cordillera’s quest for just energy transition BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The Cordillera, a region rich in natural resources and home to a majority indigenous population, has long been a battleground between the government’s investment agenda and indigenous peoples’ asserting their right to land and self-determined development. From extractive industries to energy projects, the region has experienced successes and struggles, shaping how its people perceive these ventures as threats or economic opportunities. However, communities in the region have consistently been wary of corporate, large-scale energy projects, especially those that involve damming rivers. The scars the Chico River Dams Project left under the Marcos dictatorship remain fresh, with several communities in Kalinga, Apayao, and Ifugao continuing to resist hydropower projects. Beyond environmental and livelihood concerns, allegations of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) violations persist. Community royalty shares also remain a contentious issue. For instance, Bokod communities rejected SN Aboitiz’s royalty offer for the continued operation of the Ambuklao Dam, calling it “pitiful and exploitative.” #IndigenousPeoplesRights #Cordillera #Philippines #JustTransition #dams Read full article ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dyQc3nuh

READ: Rights at risk: the battle for Indigenous identity and autonomy in Nepal The root of the continuing challenges for the rights of #IndigenousPeoples in #Nepal remains that the rights guaranteed in the international framework applicable to Nepal have not been incorporated into domestic laws. Even limited existing legal protections for the rights of #Indigenous Peoples have not been effectively implemented due to a lack of political will by leaders or vested interests of those in power belonging to dominant groups while Indigenous Peoples are excluded from decision-making processes affecting them. To strengthen its democracy, Nepal should immediately adopt a law to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including their lands and resources and self-governance, in line with its obligations under the #UNDRIP and #ILO169. Read full article ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dUmBF6zU #DemocracyForAll

✊🏽 Indigenous Just Transition is sovereignty in action. It’s about reclaiming our rights to land, water, and ways of life—shifting from extraction to regeneration on our own terms. By centering Indigenous leadership, laws, and traditions, we are building a future where our communities thrive in balance with the natural world. 🌎🔥 Our self-determination is non-negotiable. Our sovereignty must be respected. #IndigenousJustTransition #SovereigntyInAction #SelfDetermination 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dQgsfSk6

📢 New publication alert 📢 This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the fearless women who stand at the frontlines of climate justice and human rights despite relentless attacks. CEC is launching the publication "Women in Defense of the Environment and Human Rights in the Philippines." The stories of women from various parts of the country expose how patriarchy, capitalism, and environmental destruction are deeply connected—and why fighting for the planet means fighting for women's rights. 🌏✊💜 📖 Read & share the publication: https://lnkd.in/gf7JuzpD #InternationalWomensDay #ClimateJustice #HumanRights #DefendTheDefenders

READ: Indigenous peoples’ rights: The ASEAN paradox Indonesia, despite the third constitutional amendment that recognizes and respects traditional communities, still denies legal protections for its indigenous peoples. Southeast Asia has not been at the forefront of promoting human rights. In the case of the rights of indigenous peoples, the region’s record is even darker and more concerning. Among the member states of the ASEAN, only a few recognize indigenous peoples, let alone protect their rights. Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are among those that fare the poorest in this aspect. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d8Z7fRDf #IndigenousPeoplesRights #Indonesia #HumanRights #Mining

READ: Carbon Credit Project Still Threatens Indigenous Livelihoods After Compromised Review ➡️ Nearly five months after its reinstatement, #Cambodia’s flagship Southern Cardamom REDD+ project (SCRP) is under fire again. Carbon market watchdogs and #indigenous communities say its remediation efforts are inadequate, symbolic, and riddled with conflicts of interest. ➡️ Every party Verra, the entity that certifies the SCRP, enlisted to review abuse allegations against project implementer Wildlife Alliance – before re-validating the REDD+ project – had a stake in the outcome. Upholding the claims could have meant financial or reputational fallout, skirting grievance standards set by a carbon market integrity council that Verra itself is approved by. ➡️ Disputed land titles and confusing maps remain a legacy issue that still appears unresolved. Read full story: https://lnkd.in/dr5jYAdt #CarbonCredit #livelihood #REDD+ #LandDispute #SouthernCardamom #Verra #WildlifeAlliance #IndigenousPeoplesRights

📣 LEARNING OPPORTUNITY! Calling human rights defenders and practitioners working in ASEAN/ Asia-Pacific region committed to developing and sharing their knowledge and skills in human rights advocacy. 2025 33rd Annual Program – Timor-Leste https://lnkd.in/dH-kgfAx The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP), joining with the Global Campus of Human Rights, and in partnership with the UNTL Human Rights Centre, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO), Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), and The Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) is calling for applications for its 33rd Annual Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Training Program for Human Rights Defenders from the Asia-Pacific Region and Indigenous Australia. This two-week annual, comprehensive human rights and advocacy training course is the longest established human rights training program in the region, building the capacity of individuals, institutions and movements at this time of shrinking space for civil society. It builds knowledge of international human rights standards and the UN system. Similar to a summer school the program includes intensive sessions on human rights and development, advocacy and media skills. Through its participatory teaching methodology, the program builds lasting links and solidarity between advocates in the region. The course will focus on contemporary human rights challenges including climate change, violence against women, SOGI, land-grabbing, freedom of association, the rights of migrant workers and of Indigenous peoples, transitional justice, democracy and integrating human rights into the sustainable development goals. The course will be held in Timor-Leste, at the invitation of DTP’s Patron and Founder, the Nobel Peace Laureate, President José Ramos-Horta. There is no better place to learn about human rights, peace and international solidarity than today’s Timor-Leste. ✅ What will the participants learn? - Knowledge of international human rights law and principles, including civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights; - Understanding of the relationship between human rights, peace, the environment, development and democracy; - Practical skills in engaging the UN human rights accountability mechanisms and UN; - Practical skills in strategic advocacy, lobbying, media, and “peoples’ diplomacy”. Applications must be received by Monday, March 31, 2025. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application shortly after the closing date. For further information please write to dtp@unsw.edu.au

READ: Karbi Anglong Against Acquisition of 18,000 Bighas of Land by: Assam Times News #India - The proposed acquisition of 18,000 bighas of land in Karbi Anglong district’s Khatkhati-Longkathar area for a 1,000-megawatt solar power project has sparked widespread fear and protests among the local tribal communities. The central and state governments are pushing forward with the project, which threatens to displace thousands of indigenous people, including Karbi, Naga, and Adivasi communities, who have been living and cultivating the land for generations. Full article: https://lnkd.in/giizCRuR

Today, March 8, is #InternationalWomensDay. 👩🏻 🧕🏽 👧🏻 👵🏼 #IndigenousWomen play crucial roles in environmental conservation, tackling climate crisis, and building resilience. They should be part of the decision-making processes affecting them and their communities. Related article: https://lnkd.in/dN_3M6Jb #ForAllWomenAndGirls #IndigenousPeoplesRights

READ: Joint Letter by the Chairpersons of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights Of Indigenous Peoples ⬇️