Forest destruction and encroachment on public land are issues that have figured highly on the agenda of the current military government. Since 2014, the introduction and implementation of controversial legislations, cabinet resolutions and policies, including NCPO Orders no. 64/2014 and 66/2014, have restricted access and use of land and forestry land by marginalized and landless peasants, indigenous peoples, and villagers, despite previous recognitions by the Constitution of their rights and a long period of settlement on the land. Various cases of land rights violations including of ethnic communities have been documented. Many of the victims and affected communities who have been forcibly evicted, or had their lands expropriated by State agencies, have not received any compensation or alternative land. Many of them are also facing criminal cases and civil suits especially around allegations of causing climate change, and their access to legal aid and justice remains difficult.
After three years of implementation, the impacts of these legal instruments and policies on the poor, landless and marginalized populations are visible and clear. Cross Cultural Foundation, Isan Land Reform Network, Center for Protection and Revival of Local Community Rights, Karen Network for Cultural and Environmental Tanowsri Area, and Focus on the Global South, will hold a public forum to present and review the situation of land rights in the past years under current military government, and the access to justice for people defending their land rights.
We would like to extend an invitation to you to attend and participate in the forum, which will be held onMarch 28, 2017 from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, at room no. 803, Chaloem Rajakumari 60 Building, Chulalongkorn University. Thai and English translation will be provided.
We very much look forward to seeing you at the forum.
Program
“Situation of forest and land rights, and access to justice in Thailand”
09.00 – 09.30 am Welcome remark by Associate Professor Dr. Prapart Pintobtang, Director of Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute.
Commemoration of the missing of land rights defenders from Mr. Pholachi Rakchongcharoen, Billy to Mr. Den Kamlae
09.30-12.00 pm Presentation of situations of land and forest, and lead the discussion by
- A representative from Isan Land reform network
- A representative from Bantan land reform network
- A representative from Four regions slum network
- A representative from Southern Peasant Federation
- A representative from Northern Peasant Federation
- A representative from Indigenous Peoples community
Moderator: Dr. Chainarong Sretthachau, Mahasarakham University
12.00 pm – 01.00 pm Lunch
01.00 pm – 04.30 pm Discussion and Suggested solutions for access to justice on land and forest issues.
Review on land rights cases based on the court’s decision, and voice of the villagers, the defendants in the land rights cases, and the movement of the restoration of right to self-cultivation for livelihood in the forestland
- Mr. Sumitchai Hatthasan, Director of CPCR
- Mr. Somnuek Tumsupap, Director of Human Rights Lawyer Development Learning Center
- A representative from people who effected from justice process
A presentation on legal reform and interpretation of community rights by Mr. Somchai Homlaor
Moderator: Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, Cross Cultural Foundation
