Over the past year, the Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement, through an Influencing Grant, has been supporting the lobbying efforts of the Teduray, Lambangian and Erumanen ne Menuvu tribes for the full inclusion of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The BBL aims to create an autonomous region as part of the peace agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Indigenous leaders have been engaging with the legislative process from the local to the national level, including participation in study sessions, public hearings, and community dialogues. As the Philippine Senate targets 30 May 2018 to pass the bill, they have been meeting with senators in the hopes their concerns can be raised during deliberations. Their proposed revisions and amendments to the law include: recognising the distinct identity of Indigenous Peoples, the need for free, prior, and informed consent, and the inclusion of national laws on Indigenous Peoples.

For more information, read the briefing paper on their advocacy and the proposed amendments.

For continuing updates on their lobbying efforts, follow Loyukan on facebook.

Read the press releases:

• Senate urged to amend BBL, recognize IP rights (Wednesday, 28 MAY 2018)
• Senators support IP rights for an inclusive BBL (Wednesday, 23 MAY 2018)
• To have IP Rights in the BBL means inclusive peace, say Lumads (Monday, 21 May 2018)

*Banner photo by Loyukan