Forests and Indigenous Peoples of Asia: Issue 4

Minority Rights Group (MRG) is the leading international human rights organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and indigenous peoples, and to promote understanding between communities. We are guided by the needs expressed by our worldwide network of over 300 partner organizations in more than 60 countries. Together, we challenge power structures that exclude and silence those who are different. We understand how age, class, gender, sexuality and disability can have multiplying impacts on discrimination for minorities.

MRG is an international non-governmental organization with an international governing Council that meets twice a year. We have consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. MRG is also registered with the Organization of American States. MRG is registered as a charity and a company limited by guarantee under English law: registered charity no. 282305, limited company no. 1544957.

TEEKA BHATIARAI is a development professional and occasional writer. He has considerable governmental and non-governmental experience and has led pioneering non-governmental initiatives with indigenous peoples for over a decade.

DR MARCUS COLCHESTER is an anthropologist who has worked for over two decades on the rights of indigenous peoples in tropical forests. He has published on the theme extensively. He is currently Director of the Forest Peoples Programme, established by the World Rainforest Movement.

DR WALTER FERNANDES is a researcher and activist on tribal issues. He is Director of the Programme for Tribal Studies at the Indian Social Institute and Editor of Social Action magazine.

PHILIP GAIN is a freelance writer and an environmental activist. He has written on development, the environment, ethnic minority issues and human rights, and published a number of books and monographs. He is Director of the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) based in Dhaka.

KOMEOK JOE is a campaigner on forest, environmental and human rights issues with the organization KERVAN. He is also a member of an indigenous peoples network in Malaysia, JOAS.

PRASERT TRAKANSUPHALON is an ethnic Karen and is Director of the Inter-Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association. He is also on the Executive Committee of the Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact.

RAJA DEVASISH ROY is the Chief of the Chakma peoples. His duties include the administration of tribal justice, resource management and revenue administration. He is a lawyer and is associated with a number of indigenous peoples' organizations.