Recognising customary tenure in Cambodia: Workshop aims to increase youth understanding

Indigenous youths in Cambodia were provided an opportunity to discuss the current situation of land tenure insecurity in relation to indigenous peoples (IP). The national Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO) held a workshop in December 2016 to facilitate information and experience sharing, awareness raising and debate among young people – with the aim being that these young people would come away with a better understanding of contemporary issues faced by IPs.

The workshop was held on 10 December 2016 in Phnom Penh. Seventy-four participants (including 26 women) – represented 11 organisations. Indigenous and non-indigenous youths attended the event to expand their understanding around key issues, such as mechanisms for land conflict resolution through the court system, mechanisms for land conflict resolution through the non-court system, and tradition, culture, and IP education.

With additional support from the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) project, the workshop was expanded to include Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Alliance (CIPA) members who presented findings from a thematic study on the recognition and security of customary tenure of IPs. The findings showed that:

• The recognition of communal land tenure of indigenous peoples in the 2001 Land Law is incomprehensive and ambiguous.
• The 2002 Law on Forestry does not acknowledge settlements inside permanent forest reserves that pre-date both the law and the establishment of permanent forest reserves.
• The law recognises only user rights of the local people to access to natural resources.
• The Law on Protected Areas recognises the tenure of existing settlements or inhabitants inside the Protected Areas, but the progress on zonation of the protected areas has been very slow – limiting the impact this protection of tenure rights can have.

The jointly-developed study (by CIPA and the MRLG project) aimed to inform, raise awareness and encourage further discussion among attendees. To view the study, please see http://mrlg.org/resources/the-recognition-and-security-of-customary-tenure-of-indigenous-peoples-in-cambodia-a-legal-perspective/.

In addition to enhancing and reinforcing understanding around key indigenous peoples land issues, workshops such as this prepare young people for more meaningful dialogue with concerned government institutions. These Cambodian Government institutions are key to supporting land tenure security initiatives affecting IP groups in the future.

For more information on the MRLG project, see http://mrlg.org/