KATRIBU condemns arrest of Indigenous rights defender Pranab Doley; demands his immediate, unconditional release

KATRIBU – Alliance of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines – strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Indigenous rights defender Pranab Doley, a member of the Mising Indigenous community and convenor of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee (GKLHRPC), on July 12 in Guwahati, Assam. Doley has been standing with Indigenous communities opposing the luxury Hyatt hotel project near Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India.

Doley was charged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) criminal code, in what is yet another case of the continuing criminalization of Indigenous Peoples defending their ancestral lands, territories, and right to self-determination. In 2024, Doley and fellow members of the GKLHRPC were attacked while documenting testimonies from displaced families opposing the luxury hotel project.

Across Asia and around the world, governments and corporations continue to collude in dispossessing Indigenous Peoples of their lands and resources in the name of development, conservation, tourism, and profit. Communities and defenders who resist land grabbing, environmental destruction, and the violation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights are increasingly subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges, and other forms of repression.

KATRIBU stands in solidarity with Pranab Doley and all Indigenous communities defending their lands, livelihoods, and rights. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Doley, the dropping of all politically motivated charges against him, and an end to the intimidation and criminalization of Indigenous human rights defenders.

We call on the Government of India to uphold its obligations under international human rights standards and ensure the protection of Indigenous Peoples and human rights defenders. We also call on the international community and human rights organizations to closely monitor Doley’s case and support the continuing struggle of Indigenous Peoples for justice, land, and self-determination.

Defending ancestral lands is not a crime.

Stop the attacks on Indigenous Peoples and human rights defenders. End land grabbing and corporate plunder. Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights and self-determination.

Free Pranab Doley now!

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Reference:

Beverly Longid

National Convener,

KATRIBU Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas