On this historic occasion, the silver jubilee of the declaration by the United Nations of August 9 as International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) would like to highlight the relevance of international solidarity in support of the objectives set forth by the declaration, that of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples.
First, we dedicate this day to Brandon Lee, a defender of human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights in the Cordillera. Brandon is an American citizen of Chinese descent who chose to live his life with the Ifugao people. We deeply respect and admire Brandon’s solidarity with the Cordillera indigenous peoples and Filipino people. He dedicated his services as a paralegal volunteer of the Ifugao Peasant Movement (IPM), assisting several political prisoners in Ifugao and defending the Ifugaos who are defending their right to ancestral land and control over their natural resources against hSecoydropower dam applications like that of SN Aboitiz. Because of championing human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights, he was gunned down on August 6, 2019 by suspected State security forces. He survived the assassin’s bullets. Our prayers are with Brandon for his full recovery, as he continues to fight for his life. We condemn the attempt on Brandon’s life and demand for the perpetrators to be brought to the bar of justice. We call on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to put an end to his policy of equating human rights defenders as combatants of the CPP/NPA.
Second, CDPC acknowledges the solidarity with the Belgian people through their provincial and federal government for more than 25 years. Through the years, the solidarity with Belgians grew to encompass the values of eliminating discrimination and promoting equity and social justice in the context of Cordillera indigenous peoples. Hail to the international solidarity from people all over the world for the cooperation being built for the defense, protection and fulfillment of the rights of indigenous peoples.
The role of international solidarity has been increasing correspondingly with the increasing global challenged bought by unbridled neoliberalism and with it the heightening fascist rule and the regressing redefinition of human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights. With international solidarity support, CDPC was able to provide modest support and services to far flung communities in the Cordillera such as rehabilitation or irrigation systems, provision of water works infrastructure, agricultural technology services and relief goods during calamities. Also of modest magnitude are the services contributed by CDPC in the facilitation of information dissemination campaigns, capacity development, lobby and policy advocacy which contributed to the organized actions of indigenous peoples in the Cordillera for demanding welfare services and defending ancestral land rights and asserting right to self-determination.
CDPC acknowledges the contribution of international solidarity through various forms of participation and support to improve the welfare and fulfillment of the rights of indigenous peoples.
Yet today, CDPC also expresses righteous anger on the systematic move by the Duterte administration to thwart this increasing international solidarity by sending a delegation to the European Union and Belgium and officially requesting for the cancellation of support to NGOs maliciously claimed to be diverting funds to financing terrorism. This is an act of desperation from an administration confronted by a strong people’s movement working for social justice and human rights. It is precisely because of historical government neglect that international support are being accessed to deliver much-needed basic services to indigenous peoples. It is precisely because of historical oppression that advocates such as Brandon Lee decide to render service to indigenous communities.
We therefore join hands with indigenous peoples and advocates globally on this Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to defend the defenders and supporters of indigenous people’s rights and human rights against a backdrop of worsening neoliberalism and fascism. Long live international solidarity. ***
#Justice4BrandonLee #StoptheAttacks #ChantOurStruggles