President Chen Shui-bian (
"Autonomy is the dream of Aborigines around the world, a contemporary world trend and also a basic Aboriginal right endowed by the Constitution," Chen said yesterday to over 100 attendees from Taiwan and abroad at the conference on Aboriginal issues.
PHOTO: CHEN CHEN-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
The meeting was held to share experiences from groups from overseas and help forward Taiwan's push toward autonomy for Aborigines.
During his election campaign, Chen signed a partnership agreement with representatives from Aboriginal tribes which put the autonomy move into action.
After he was elected, autonomy was raised as the most pressing issue for Aborigines.
A first round of information-gathering on autonomy at the grassroots level nationwide has been accomplished by the Council of Aboriginal Affairs and a draft law of Aboriginal autonomy will soon be passed on to the Legislative Yuan for review.
Yohani Isqaqavut (尤哈尼), Chairman of the Council of Aboriginal Affairs, which organized the forum yesterday, said at least one or two autonomous areas are expected to be established within four years.
Currently, an ad hoc committee of seven members has produced a preliminary autonomy plan.
The definition of autonomy that has been developed so far is that of "autonomy of a nation within a state, based on respect for cultures of various ethnic groups," said one of the drafters of the autonomy law, Kao Teh-I (
The Council of Aboriginal Affairs, which is currently intended to govern the autonomous regions, would expand its power somewhat. "But its level is still beneath the Cabinet, rather than the presidential office," Kao said.
"Autonomy will be based on the [current draft] law, rather than be enshrined in the Constitution. The governments of the autonomous areas will be simply a part of the central government," Kao said.
Kao said autonomy will grant Aborigines more rights in judicial, property and education matters.
Aborigines from Orchid Island (蘭嶼) were the first to request autonomy and the island has been considered a promising area to begin instituting Aboriginal autonomy.
Yohani Isqaqavut said the drive for autonomy would need to begin with educating Aborigines and the general public about the issue. "Understanding and respect from the government and the general public, humanitarian support from the UN and the international community, and cooperation from Aborigines worldwide are crucial to autonomy's success," he said.
He said for now, the focus will be on "educating Aborigines and reviving the sense of self-determination and autonomy that our ancestors enjoyed long before the coming of foreign rule."
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