Typhoon Morakot wreaked havoc across southern Taiwan and most of the worst-hit areas were Aboriginal communities. Many Aboriginal villages were destroyed, which will have an impact on the traditional way of life of those who survived. Aborigines will face many difficulties.
Historically, Aboriginal societies have been largely self-sufficient.
However, after the government started institutionalizing its policies around 50 years ago, Aboriginal groups not only saw changes in their traditional political organization, but their societies edged closer to collapse.
Once they had to rely on the free-market economy to make a living, Aborigines had to start looking for jobs.
For a long time, Taiwan’s Aborigines have been at a disadvantage.
Because of limited arable land and employment opportunities in their homelands, large numbers of Aborigines have moved to the cities.
Many who leave their homes lack the resources and channels to gain access to higher education, with the result that a high proportion of the Aboriginal population can only gain employment doing menial and dangerous jobs.
As working conditions became tougher and the economy deteriorated, the government brought in large numbers of foreign workers. This lowered average wages in Taiwan and had a heavy impact on employment opportunities for Aborigines.
Despite the Indigenous Peoples Employment Rights Protection Act (原住民族工作權保障法), unemployment rates among Aborigines continue to rise and many have trouble even securing basic living standards, including sufficient food and clothing.
In recent years, recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples has become an international trend.
After the typhoon, issues such as the reconstruction of Aboriginal areas and whether villages should be relocated have sparked debate.
A link to tradition is a basic requirement of Aboriginal life and the government’s reconstruction plans cannot overlook Aboriginal needs and demands.
Those in power should consider the situation from the perspective of Aborigines and show respect for their desire to preserve their culture.
If the government plans to relocate communities away from landslide-prone mountainous areas, it should provide assistance to preserve their culture.
In addition, while housing disaster victims temporarily at shelters, the government should draw up reconstruction plans that take Aboriginal culture into consideration.
Doing so could help restore the collective culture of Aboriginal groups.
Let us hope that Taiwan will show more concern for and identification with Aboriginal groups and help them reconstruct their homes.
We should treat Aborigines and their cultures based on the principles of equality and respect.
In addition, improving the economic conditions of Aborigines is an essential factor in promoting ethnic harmony.
Protecting the livelihood of Aboriginal groups is in line with the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Following these principles would help us align our practices with international trends and practices in Aboriginal policy.
This is the only way to protect the rights and interests of Aborigines.
Lee Yung-ran is a lawyer and president of the Chinese Association for Human Rights.
TRANSLATED BY DREW CAMERON
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