Arunachalees participates in 4th edition of United Nations Business and Human Rights forum, Nepal. -

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Kathmandu, 23 Mar : Tasik Pangkam from Siang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum (SIFF), Bhanu Tatak from Dibang Resistance and Ebo Mili from Indigenous Rights Advocacy Dibang (IRAD) attended the 4th edition of the United Nations Business and Human Rights forum held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 22-23 March. The forum provided an opportunity for participants to discuss on the challenges faced by workers and employees in Asia and the violations of human rights associated with it.

During the three-day programme, representatives from various civil society organizations, governments and businesses across South Asia discussed their respective country’s actions to promote and follow the guidelines of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The participants also deliberated on human rights violations against indigenous peoples In Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and prioritized future remedial and preventive measures that governments and businesses should incorporate.

During the forum, Pangkam submitted a memorandum to Dr. Pichamon Yeophantong, the Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and spoke about the 10,000MW dam over the Siang River, emphasizing the socio economic anxieties for the future pertaining to Mega dams over Siang.

Bhanu Tatak presented three cases of Hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh namely Dibang Multipurpose Hydro Electric power project of 2880 MW, 10,000 MW Siang Hydropower project and recently canceled in its current form, 3097 MW Etalin HEP. Tatak highlighted NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation)’s very bad track record and violation of Indigenous people’s rights especially in the state of Sikkim, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in the North east region of India.

Meanwhile, Mili asked about the role of the UN in defending the defenders and gave examples of journalists and activists being harassed by the state and branded as anti-national. He also quoted an article published on The Third Pole on 7th April 2020, where the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh stated that ” any opposition to development projects as Anti-National and warned that he had already instructed the intelligence bureau to act against any officials found misguiding people.” The forum concluded with a call for mandatory human rights due diligence and greater protection of the rights of workers and indigenous peoples.