Ocean Division: IPSD sensitises Bagyeli community on indigenous people’s rights.

It was part of activities to commemorate the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples, IDWIP, observed every August 9. 

The event in Bidou was organised by the Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development Association, IPSD.

The 30th edition of IDWIP was celebrated under the theme: “Protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact”. 

Meanwhile, in Cameroon the day was commemorated for the sixteenth time under the theme: “Access to citizenship; a fundamental right for Indigenous Peoples”.

Speaking during the event, the President of IPSD, Balkisou Buba, said the objectives of the event was to sensitise the indigenous Bagyeli people on their rights, and raise awareness on access to citizenship for social inclusion.

Highlighting the importance of knowing their rights as indigenous peoples and fulfilling their obligations, IPSD president outlined some international legal instruments for the protection and promotion of indigenous peoples’ rights like Convention 169 of the International Labour Organisation, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP.

She also indicated some national instruments like the National Development Plan for Indigenous Peoples. 

According to Balkisou, the rights of indigenous peoples enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples places emphasis on the importance of citizenship, empowerment of communities, access to a nationality and education, especially for the girl child. 

“Access to citizenship begins with having a birth certificate,” she stated, exhorting all parents with newborns to rush to the nearest civil status registration service to establish birth certificates for their children.  

“We must exist before we can protect our rights,” she pointed out. 

Balkisou Buba equally educated them on the procedure to obtain a birth certificate and to seek the services of Social Affairs to get assistance through the procedure. 

“Indigenous peoples’ rights have to be respected, even those in voluntary isolation and initial contact. This is the vision of leaving no one behind when it comes to sustainable development,” the IPSD President reiterated.

The issues of culture, tradition and ways of life for the indigenous peoples were also raised during the group discussion as important elements of sustainable development. 

Climate change impacting indigenous people

Talking to The Guardian Post, Balkisou further explained that indigenous peoples are the “hardest hit” by climate change due to their interdependency with nature. She, however, argued that indigenous knowledge is one of the key solutions to this global crisis. 

Throughout the different speeches, the Bagyelis were encouraged to continue using their traditional knowledge to combat climate change and halt biodiversity loss. They were equally advised to transmit this indigenous knowledge to the younger generation for current and future use. 

On their part, the Bagyelis used the opportunity to present the challenges they face, especially with respect to their rights. 

They cited challenges related to violation of the land rights, human rights, access to basic social amenities, and access to development. The event was also an opportunity for them to showcase their cultural and traditional know-how through dances and songs. 

It was organised with the support of GEF Small Grants Programme-Cameroon through the project to strengthen capacities of indigenous peoples on climate change and land degradation in Kribi and its environs. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3199 of Wednesday August 14, 2024