 Ivan Torafing is an advisor with Global Greengrants Fund’s Next Generation Climate Board and an indigenous youth leader for Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network. |
For indigenous peoples, criminalization is not new. We have already been criminalized for many years—hundreds of years even. Still, the criminalization of activists or community members creates fear and intimidation, particularly among indigenous youth.
This fear and intimidation are very real limitations for the movement. But the reality is that we have no choice but to pursue these kinds of struggles. Our communities are already in dire situations. So we have no choice but to fight.
In the Philippines, we have what is called “red-tagging,” in which we are marked as friends of the communist movement. Because of this, we find ourselves vulnerable to human rights violations. Not just physical assault, but also abductions and killings. We have many friends and colleagues who are not part of the movement because of such happenings.
Of course, being an activist or full-time organizer is very hard. Not only because you are sacrificing other opportunities like economic benefits, but also because you’re putting your life itself in such a difficult situation.
International NGOs play a very critical role because they have a platform in which they can do many things. They can expose conditions and the realities on the ground. They can lobby governments. Solidarity or financial support is only one aspect.
One of our elder leaders, who was assassinated by unidentified elements of the military in 2006, once said that until our right to self-determination is recognized, then our struggle will not end. Even if that means we must sacrifice our lives to achieve freedom, then so be it. For us indigenous youth, criminalization is a driving force to continue the struggles our elders started.
Learn more about our Next Generation Climate Board.