So-called 'development' projects violating rights, communities, environment
"Indigenous women, children and LGBTQIA+ communities alongside Myanmar border area are deeply affected by so-called 'development' projects and extractive industries," said Matcha Phorn-in, Executive Director, Sangsan Anakot Yaowachon, and a proud lesbian feminist, woman human right defenders and trail runner. "We as indigenous communities are resisting upcoming 'development' projects such as hydro-power dams in river diversions and rare earth mining operations. Such activities are causing environmental degradation, water contamination in the river, and human rights violations, environmental crises, and exacerbating gender inequalities and injustices."
Countries like Thailand do not recognise indigenous peoples. "When recognition of indigenous peoples and communities is not there, then government and development sector fails to implement the most important principle of free, prior and informed consent," said Matcha. "Indigenous peoples especially women and gender diverse peoples are not included in decision-making processes at all levels."
Matcha demands that gender equality and human right to health must be central to all development policies, investments and projects.
She also called for full recognition of indigenous peoples and their rights, and implementation of free, prior and informed consent in all development projects. There must be accountability for human rights violations and environmental harms caused by these projects and business activities.
Walk the talk on #HealthForAll and #LeavingNoOneBehind
Matcha demands another non-negotiable: an inclusive and nondiscriminatory healthcare system and public services, which must include full access to gender-affirming care as well as sexual and reproductive health and right services. We must move beyond symbolism when it comes to legal and policy reforms so that all people in all their diversities can have full access to public health services and social protection - in a rights-based manner.
With growing legal and judicial harassments against human rights defenders, Matcha stressed on the dire need of protecting human rights defenders, especially women and LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders.
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