The Network of Peninsular Orang Asal (Joas) hailed today the appointment of indigenous peoples’ expert activist Jannie Lasimbang as a member of the Human Rights Commmission (Suhakam).

Jannie Lasimbang Expressing pride that Lasimbang ( right ) has been chosen to be occupy such an “influential and important post” as Suhakam commissioner, Joas secretary Hellan Empaing said the organisation was confident that the Kadazan activist from Sabah “can make a difference” given her experience heading such high-profile bodies as the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact Foundation as its secretary-general from 2000-2008.

Lasimbang has been actively involved with Pacos Trust and Joas since its formation, and was among the focal points of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity dealing with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

As current chairperson-rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), Lasimbang can also contribute her experience towards the incorporation of UN human rights mechanisms within Suhakam’s framework, “especially on issues that brings great concern to the human rights violations that is currently faced by the Orang Asal when their inherent rights to land, territories and resources has been denied,” said Empaing.

“We are proud that an indigenous woman is appointed for such an influential and important post, regardless of her gender and ethnicity.

forum on the future of orang asli and asal in malaysia 141009 hellan empaing “Indigenous women have always suffered triple discrimination (for being indigenous, for being poor and because she is a woman), and hopefully we can now have proper representation and a platform to voice out our important issues and grave situations,” said Empaing ( left ) in a statement today.

“Joas welcomes her appointment and is ready to work together with her and other commissioners to continue the work of former Suakam vice-chairperson, Simon Sipaun and former commissioners that have worked tirelessly to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples of Malaysia,” she added.

Empaing also noted the need to uphold policies and guidelines for development that would include the Orang Asal in decision-making processes, especially in the context of the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) principle for all development projects that affect the Orang Asal.

orang asal walk 130908 poster 2 “Article 46(2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states that in the exercise of the rights enunciated in the present declaration, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all shall be respected.

“The exercise of the rights set forth in this declaration shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law, in accordance with international human rights obligations.

“Any such limitations shall be non-discriminatory and strictly necessary solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedom of others and for meeting the just and most compelling requirements of a democratic society,” said Empaing.

“Joas will continue to work closely with Suhakam in promoting human rights, especially the rights of the Orang Asal,” she added.

Lasimbang was among six other individuals who were appointed as members of Suhakam for the period 2010-2013.

Beside Hasmy Agam as the commission’s chairperson, the other commissioners named were Muhd Sha'ani Abdullah, Khaw Lake Tee, Mahmood Zuhdi Abdul Majid, James Deva Nayagam and Detta Samen.