She then urged that the Indigenous Peoples Bill, which is expected to provide a legal basis for the protection of indigenous peoples, be ratified as soon as possible.
“It is a paradox that the deliberations for the Indigenous Peoples Bill remain stalled to this day,” she said in a statement received here on Thursday.
She made the statement in written remarks delivered during an online discussion on “Upholding the Rights, Preserving the Wisdom, and Strengthening the Role of Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia” on Wednesday to commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
Moerdijat noted that the day, which is observed on August 9 every year, aims to protect the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide.
She added that its commemoration should be used as an opportunity to bolster the commitment to diversity, recognition, and justice for indigenous peoples, who have played an important role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence and cultural preservation.
She then expressed regret that the Indigenous Peoples Bill has not been passed ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day on August 17, 2025.
According to Moerdijat, without legal recognition, indigenous peoples are vulnerable to rights violations and marginalization.
“Strengthening the rights, preserving local wisdom, and bolstering the role of indigenous peoples in Indonesia must begin with recognizing the existence of all indigenous peoples in Indonesia as part of the Republic of Indonesia,” she said.
Meanwhile, founder of the Legal Aid Foundation of the Indonesian Women’s Association for Justice (LBH APIK), Nur Amalia, underlined the need for establishing a special institution for handling indigenous peoples’ issues as a form of affirmative action.
“This is crucial to address the disparity in treatment received by indigenous peoples and the general public when accessing their rights,” she added.
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Translator: Melalusa Susthira, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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