Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples,
Gender Justice and Peace

Newsletter

Newsletter Archive

2023
Issue #05

Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing

August Newsletter, 2023

Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, Gender Justice and Peace

As we welcome you into our August newsletter, we keep our sacred kin in our prayers, as recent months have brought violence and turmoil to the lives of Indigenous Peoples across the world.

Our August newsletter issue focuses on the increasingly volatile conditions of Northeast India and Burma regions. As the Myanmar military regime continues relentless and brutal attacks on civilians across Myanmar, tensions in Manipur have erupted into violence, leading to over 200 deaths, over 8,500 homes burned, and over 70,000 people displaced.

Throughout July and August, disturbing atrocities committed in Manipur and Burma were brought to light. Our August newsletter will also be highlighting the work of Indigenous women leaders across the world who have focused their attention to the Indo-Burma region, searching for pathways towards conflict resolution and peace. As Indigenous women leaders stand strong for their communities, we reflect deeply on changes which promise healing, peace, and space for the growth of our people.

Read the newsletter on your browser

International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur

Homes set on fire in Manipur in June, 2023

On Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, the Global Alliance held a meeting with a group of concerned peace advocates around the world to discuss the formation of an International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur. Central to the formation of the International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur are Indigenous peace advocates, who have been instrumental to developing resolution and mitigation mechanisms for conflicts involving Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Among those who convened were Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams, Ambassador Steffen Kongstad, Fred Lubang, Shirin Ershadi, Alessandra Fontanella, Emily Molinari, Michelle Clemente, Reynaldo Antonio Morales Cardenas, and Kassahun Checole, as well as members of the Global Alliance and the Northeast India Women’s Initiative for Peace (NEIWIP).

The group met in response to violent conflict in Manipur, which broke out on May 3rd, 2023. Internally, NEIWIP has tracked the deaths of 209 people, over 3,000 injuries, and over 70,000 displaced since the beginning of recent conflict in Manipur.

The International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur will aim to investigate crimes against humanity and related atrocities which have occurred in Manipur over recent decades of turmoil. Although recent conflict erupting on May 3rd in Manipur will be a major focus of the International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur, the group intends to take a more wholistic approach to investigating the instigation and propagation of conflict in Manipur over a much longer period of time, holding media, state and non-state actors accountable. The group intends to investigate state and non-state leaders who have played central roles in knowingly perpetuating crimes against humanity in Manipur over recent decades.

Submitting Memorandums for Peace in Manipur to Officials in New Delhi

Women leaders and Global Alliance team members who submitted memorandums and met with officials in New Delhi (July 17th, 2023)

On July 17th, 18th, and 19th, the Global Alliance, in partnership with the Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace, sent a delegation of Indigenous leaders representing 5 ethnic groups from across India’s Northeast to meet with key policy makers in Delhi regarding critical conflict mitigation strategies to address ongoing violence in Manipur.

The women leaders submitted memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, Sonia Gandhi of the Indian National Congress, Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), and Cabinet Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju.

The delegation also met with Lawyer Vrinda Grover to discuss conflict resolution strategies for Manipur.

The Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace (NEIWIP) is comprised of mothers, sisters, daughters, concerned citizens who have been witnessing over two months of brutal violence in Manipur, and are praying for peace to return.

Since 2015, NEIWIP has hosted four Northeast India Indigenous Women Peace Congregations, bringing Indigenous women leaders from the 8 Northeast states together to mitigate issues of women-led empowerment, peace, and security throughout the region.

Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace is a network formed in 2010 to work for inclusion of Indigenous women of Northeast India in peace building and peace processes.

Read the action steps submitted by women leaders here

Indo-Burma Region Situation Report



NORTHEAST INDIA SITUATION: Key Updates

  • 209 people have been killed Asylum-seekers have now crossed the Indo-Burma border since the February 1st, 2021 coup. Numbers are expected to be an undercount.

  • Video of 2 women paraded naked by a mob of men on May 4th in Kangpokpi District, Manipur, went viral in July in a disturbing display of violence against women during recent conflict. The Global Alliance has recorded 13 cases of gender-based violence in Manipur since May 3rd, however, ground realities are likely higher.

  • 9 arrested in connection to the first Naga person to be killed in Manipur violence. Lucy Marem, a 57-year-old woman, was found with gunshot wounds and her face disfigured. The murder was heavily condemned by Naga groups, including the Naga Woman’s Union, which led to a 12-hour shutdown in surrounding Naga territories.

  • 41,100 Myanmar asylum-seekers are currently estimated in Mizoram; however, estimates are likely an undercount. The Mizoram government continues to issue Identity cards to refugees, however, civil organizations still push the Indian government to afford stronger legal rights to asylum seekers.

  • 8,250 Myanmar asylum-seekers are currently estimated in Manipur; however, estimates are likely undercounted. The majority of refugees in Manipur remain in hiding due to fear of retribution by the Manipur State government.


MYANMAR SITUATION: Key Updates

  • 53,500 Asylum-seekers have now crossed the Indo-Burma border since the February 1th, 2021 coup. Numbers are expected to be an undercount.

  • 1,900,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still seeking refuge within Myanmar’s borders. This includes 778,900 IDPs in Sagaing Region and 48,700 IDPs in Chin State, two of the three states sharing a border with Northeast India.

  • 24,048 Myanmar Nationals have been arrested by the military regime (19,660 still detained), and 3,848 have been killed by the military regime. These numbers include arrests of 640 children, and the deaths of 428 children. Many children have died or been crippled by land mines set by the military regime.

  • Over 600 homes destroyed by the Myanmar military during an offensive in Sagaing Region in mid-July, leaving at least 8 civilians dead. Over 70,000 homes have been destroyed by the military. Shelter and basic commodities remain limited for people in Myanmar’s border states due to road blocks and heightened conflict.

Read the full situation report

Resources for Survivors in the Indo-Burma Border Region

UNHCR India Refugee Helpline:
Phone (toll-free) 1-800-103-5635

National Human Rights Commission, India:
Phone (toll-free) 91-11-24-651330
E-mail cr.nhcr@nic.in

Manipur State Human Rights Commission:
Phone (toll-free) 91-38-52-451017
E-mail shrcmanipur@gmail.com

To acquire a Refugee ID Card in Mizoram:
Contact local Refugee camp or government office Refugee ID cards are only valid in Mizoram

View the Indo-Burma region Refugee Fact Sheet

Indo-Burma Region in the News

In Manipur Horror, 2 Women Paraded Naked On Camera, Allegedly Gang-Raped

NDTV, July 20th, 2023


“A horrific video of two women being paraded naked on a road by a group of men in Manipur has been shared widely on social media, drawing massive condemnation and calls for action. The two women were gang-raped in a field, a tribal organisation has alleged.

The incident happened on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, some 35 km from state capital Imphal, according a statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF). The police, however, said the incident happened in another district, though the first information report (FIR) was filed in Kangpokpi."

Read the full news article

Civilian Killed, 15,000 flee as Myanmar Junta Forces Raid Sagaing Villages

The Irrawaddy, July 17th, 2023

“Some 15,000 civilians have fled their homes and one was killed as Myanmar regime troops and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members raided villages in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, according to residents.

More than 100 regime soldiers from Shwebo Township raided a group of villages on Sunday, continuously firing their weapons. More than 8,000 civilians from nine villages fled their homes, according to Khin-U Information, a local aid group.”

Read the full news article

Northeast India Women’s Initiative for Peace’s Conflict Resolution Points for Conflict in Manipur

  1. We appeal that the Prime Minister of India visit Manipur at the earliest and work as the leader of the nation to stop further killings in Manipur.

  2. Immediate Commencement of Peace Talks: Immediately prepare the platform for warming communities to come to peace talks and start negotiations.

  3. Formation of a Manipur Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MTRC) for playing an instrumental role in guiding war-torn communities towards long-term peace.

  4. Thorough investigation into narcotic drug production and trafficking, gun-running and human trafficking and stop the criminalization of democracy. To have a proper refugee policy in the country to address the issue.

  5. Relief and rehabilitation to all affected by the violent conflict. Work with local organizations to distribute critical humanitarian resources, provide a toll-free number for psycho-social support.

  6. Take special care of children, youth in their education and elderly affected in armed conflict.

  7. Engage Indigenous peacemakers and inter-faith organizations in bringing peace and healing.

  8. Include and involve Indigenous women of Manipur and Northeast India in all peace talks, negotiations.

  9. To call on all to Lay Down Arms. Start immediately disarmament and demobilization of armed groups to ensure that civilians are not taking law into their own hands.

  10. Ensure that all the non-state armed groups who are demanding separate and contesting homelands and under suspension of operations as well as those still operating within the state and region adhere to Geneva Convention and rules of war and not commit human rights violations.

  11. All security forces which are operating must do so to protect the lives of every citizen without any partisan policies. To include gender inclusive security sector reforms and community policing.

  12. All those who engineered the violence in Manipur, committed crimes against humanity and have caused loss of lives and properties must be held accountable and justice be done.

  13. To stop disinformation campaigns and distortion of history, include the “History of Northeast India” in syllabus of nation.

  14. The territorial integrity of Manipur must be preserved. The breakup of the state of Manipur can also affect other states in Northeast India. The violence is geo-strategic due to Manipur being a border state and must be treated as a national security issue.

  15. To work towards stopping divide and rule policy in Manipur and Northeast India. To establish a “National Diversity Policy” to help in a renewed understanding of each of 400+ ethnic groups, building of the region which will ensure peace, stability, and strength amongst its 45 million people belonging to multiple faiths, cultures, traditions, and way of life which should be a source of celebration that can help strengthen Act East Policy.

Indigenous Knowledges

The Waves

Waves rise.

Every surface is ever in turmoil,
waves upon waves
rush in silence.

Seas and oceans are
in motion eternal,
the crests hit and press
and embrace the barren face
of the hard and dry land.
The shores seek shelter
leaning against the concrete walls.

I see the hardy crests
toppling over those walls

and the change in my grandmother
- her face has slowly taken
the shape of the rough uneven waves.

The time is such
Sundays and Mondays
count for no more.

The huge crests have swallowed
many Buddha Purnimas
they had hidden Ids,
and untold Merry Christmases
and covered Krishna Janmas
and had taken away many Cheiraobas
beneath their wings.

Once she used to count
Sunday Monday Tuesday
and January February March -
her fingers that counted thus
are now occupied
with a walking stick.

The waves
silent or violent
lose no contact with the land
wet or dry

The waves -
they are a journey endless
where there is not return

By Saratchand Thiyam (Manipuri)

Saratchand Thiyam (b. 1961) is an engineer who began writing poetry as a child. Thiyam is also a well known travel writter, and was part of the Indian delegation of the World Peace Conference in Athens, Greece. His poems have been translated across many languages, and in 2006, he was awarded the Sahitya Academy Award for his work.

Explore more of Saratchand Thiyam's poems





Haudenosaunee Three Sister’s Soup

The Three Sisters Soup is one of the many Indigenous cuisine recipes provided by Indigikitchen, an Indigenous cuisine revival initiative founded by Mariah Gladstone. Indigikitchen also hosts video segments, available on YouTube, and has segments about traditional medicine, medicinal herbs, teas, and much more.

Indigikitchen is part of a much larger movement across the United States to revive Indigenous cooking traditions. North American Traditional Food Systems and it’s Indigenous Food Labs initiative in Minneapolis are part of this growing movement. Not only are native foods important for cultural revival movements, but they also provide healthy delicious alternatives with food locally sourced.

Find more recipes on Indigi kitchen's website

Fellowship and Scholarship Resources for Indigenous Peoples and Refugees

Fellowships

FSC Indigenous Fellowship Program
“The FSC-IF invites applications from Indigenous Peoples to enable them to strengthen their skills, knowledge, capacities, and networks through fellowship opportunities with the aim to facilitate the implementation of a project at the sub-national, national, regional, or global level and to share their experience and learning process with their Indigenous peers.”

Indigenous Leaders Conservation Fellowship
“Through this fellowship, we are creating opportunities for Indigenous leaders to explore solutions to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss using the traditional knowledge of men and women.”

NAIS Fellowship
“The NAIS Fellowship seeks to support emerging scholars — such as graduate students, early career faculty, and community-based scholars — working within or across the international, interdisciplinary arenas of Indigenous Studies.”

Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship
“The Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship promotes intellectual leadership in Native American communities by supporting outstanding Native Americans who hail from a wide variety of fields and who utilize different modes of expression in communicating their knowledge and work.”

Scholarships (refugees and scholars from conflict zones)

HEC Paris – Imagine Fellows
“The HEC Foundation and HEC Paris, driven by the conviction that higher education has a key role to play in making the world a more peaceful place, have created “HEC Imagine Fellows”, a unique scholarship program intended for students from war-torn countries.”

Scholarship for Displaced Students – Columbia University
“The Scholarship supports displaced students from anywhere in the world who are unable to complete their higher education. These students will receive up to full tuition, housing, and living assistance while pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees…”

Humanitarian Scholarship – University of Manchester
“The University of Manchester has created fully-funded scholarships for 20 students who are fleeing war and persecution, with people now able to apply to start studying in September.”

Sanctuary Scholarships – University of Edinburgh
“The scheme aims to provides further academic training for doctoral students whose research studies have been affected by conflict.”

DAFI Scholarship – UNHCR (Myanmar not included)
“The DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme offers qualified refugee and returnee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum or home country.”

Sanctuary Scholarships – University of Bradford
“The University of Bradford provides these scholarships to enable new students seeking asylum, or those already granted refugee status who cannot access student finance, to participate in higher education.”

Additional Resources

inHERE Project – Higher Education in Europe

Explore UN’s Higher Education Scholarship Opportunity Board

Times Higher Education – University Scholarships for Refugee Students

Location

Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, Gender Justice and Peace P.O. Box 27
New York, NY
10032, USA