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Business and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Myanmar discussed at the 3rd Myanmar Peoples Forum
On 16 December, Hnin Wut Yee MCRB’s Research and Outreach Manager was resource person at a panel discussion on Ethnic Rights at the 3rd Myanmar People’s Forum (MPF) held at the International Business Center in Yangon.
Around 200 participants from NGOs, CSOs and CBOs from across Myanmar joined the forum from 15 to 16 December. They discussed five main topics: Peace, Agricultural Sector Development, Natural Resources, Ethnic Rights, and Youth Development. The aim of the discussions was to identify recommendations on these issues to be submitted to the government.
MCRB discussed terminology and definitions of ethnic nationality; international and national legal frameworks on indigenous rights; and Free, Prior and Informed Consent/consultation (FPIC) that responsible businesses need to adhere to before they start or extend a business operation in ethnic areas.
The discussion was based on MCRB's draft briefing paper on ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Business in Myanmar’. The paper focuses on international standards for respect of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and how they apply in a Myanmar legal, political and social context. The main audience for the paper is companies investing or considering doing business in Myanmar, but it may be also be of use to others,including government departments, development partners, NGOs, and consultants.
During September 2015 MCRB held a consultation on subject, with 15 participants from ethnic nationality or indigenous peoples groups, including the Karen, Karenni, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Mon, and Danu to obtain their inputs, and has also consulted other experts. The near-final draft report in both Burmese and English it now available for wider circulation and feedback.
Please kindly send any comments, feedback or suggestions for recommendations to by 15 January 2016.
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