The Malaysian Bar - Seminar on Rights Denied – The Orang Asli Struggle Continues! (19 Nov 2011)

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Seminar on Rights Denied – The Orang Asli Struggle Continues! (19 Nov 2011)

Monday, 14 November 2011 10:24am

Circular No 260/2011

Dated 10 Nov 2011

Seminar on Rights Denied – The Orang Asli Struggle Continues! (19 Nov 2011)

The Bar Council Committee on Orang Asli Rights (“COAR”) is organising a seminar on the land rights and other challenges currently faced by the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. The seminar will be held at Bar Council on 19 Nov 2011 (Saturday).

The aim of the seminar is to increase awareness of the critical issues that continue to threaten the Orang Asli’s customary way of life and their very existence as indigenous people of the land – and to provide an avenue by which lawyers can address this situation.

Time and again we read reports and public statements on the protection of the Orang Asli and their rights. However, the reality is that their rights are, more often than not, trampled upon and ignored. There are many cases where the Orang Asli are forced to vacate their ancestral lands and give up their livelihood and heritage due to indiscriminate logging, and arbitrary and unwelcome “development”. The predicament of the Orang Asli is a matter of grave concern and must be brought to light.

Apart from the awareness aspect, lectures and training will also be conducted at the seminar to equip Members of the Bar to represent the Orang Asli in the many disputes and cases that are either pending or already in court. To this end, there will be an open invitation at this seminar for Members of the Bar to come forward and volunteer their services to be part of the COAR’s pro bono legal team that handles these matters for the Orang Asli.

At the seminar, Lim Chee Wee, President of the Malaysian Bar, will also launch the Bar Council Orang Asli Defence Fund, which aims to help defray the expenses (for disbursements and travel) incurred by lawyers who take up such cases.

This is a clarion call for a worthy cause that is central to the calling of all lawyers who aspire to advocate the rights of the poor, downtrodden and marginalised members of our society. If you want to know more about issues affecting the Orang Asli, and want to be involved in the pursuit of justice for them, please do not miss the opportunity of attending this seminar.

Details of the seminar are as follows:

Date	: 19 Nov 2011 (Saturday)
Time	: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Venue	: Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium
	First Floor, Bar Council
	No 15 Leboh Pasar Besar
	50050 Kuala Lumpur

Registration Fees: Members RM30 | Pupils in Chambers RM10 | Non-Members RM50

The highlight of the seminar will be case presentations by lawyers, and Orang Asli representatives from different settlements, whose lands are being threatened or are encroached upon. They will share their experiences and the many struggles they have to overcome in espousing and protecting the fundamental rights of the Orang Asli.

COAR will invite the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (“SUHAKAM”) to speak on the ongoing historical national inquiry on indigenous land rights. We will also invite experienced lawyers and academicians to conduct practical training on the basic elements, practice, procedure and evidence of native title law.

The constitutional fundamental right to life means more than mere existence. It includes the right to land, the right to dwelling and the right to livelihood. These rights must be protected for all peoples of our land, including the Orang Asli. So, we urge you to come join us in this endeavour to work with, defend and empower the Orang Asli to realise their just rights.

For more information on the seminar, please refer to the attached programme and registration form. Should you have any enquiries, please contact Christina Gomez by telephone at 03-2050 2087, or by email at christina@malaysianbar.org.my.

Thank you.

Ambiga Sreenevasan and Steven Thiru

Co-Chairpersons

Committee on Orang Asli Rights

This circular and the attachments may also be accessed here.