Divers Paths to Justice - English - Forest Peoples Programme

Divers Paths to Justice: Legal pluralism and the rights of indigenous peoples inSoutheast Asiaabout by the processes of the rotational farming system.In the long term (one to three years):1. Repeal the declarations concerning protected areas, reserve forestsand settlements of Karen people who have already demonstrated theirability to prove that their settlements, livelihoods and use of these lands hasexisted for a long time and/or since before the declaration of laws orpolicies that now overlap with these areas.2. Support and recognise the rotational farming systems which belong tothe Karen ways of life and livelihood, and which support the sustainable useof natural resources and self-sufficiency, including through the promotion ofthe Karen rotational farming system as a potential cultural world heritage.3. Support self-sufficiency or alternative agriculture instead of cash cropproduction or industrial agriculture.4. Support and recognise the ways of using the land and themanagement of local traditional communities, for example, through theissuing of communal land titles.The challenge remains as to how these recommendations will beimplemented on the ground. A committee for recovering the livelihoods ofKaren people will hold a meeting in the near future to design and implementa work plan, as well as request government funding to implement this workplan. The key to the success of this committee will be the inclusion andactive participation of different stakeholders including Karen leaders,activists, academics and government representatives with interests in thisissue.156