Indigenous Peoples' rights under threat from oil palm plantations in Tanintharyi, Myanmar (Burmese)

In clear violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ (UNDRIP) large areas of forest and farmland in Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar are being given away as concessions for the establishment of mono-crop plantations by private companies. In 2011, a Malaysian-owned company called Myanmar Stark Prestige Plantation Co. Ltd. (MSPP) launched a $36 million 30-year oil-palm project on a massive land concession of approximately 45,000 acres (18,000 hectares) in Tharabwin village tract, Myeik District. The Myanmar Invest Commission granted MSPP this land concession without any local consultation or attempt to secure the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the indigenous peoples’ living in the area. This land-grabbing contradicts the stated goal of the Myanmar government to promote the rule of law during the reform process. On 12 September 2015, more than 500 indigenous people gathered near the MSPP plantation to recognize the anniversary of the adoption of UNDRIP, and to express their frustration at not receiving any protection from the Myanmar government. The gathering also condemned MSPP for failing to adhere to the principles of FPIC and for violating other rights enshrined in the UNDRIP. Local people demanded that the MSPP immediately stop the expansion of its oil palm plantation, and no longer conduct this business on their land.