FINAL DRAFT CAMBODIA PRSP Study
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International Labour Organization Project to Promote ILO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (PRO 169) Indigenous and tribal peoples‘ perceptions of poverty and poverty reduction strategies in Cambodia Kristina Chhim Center for Advanced Study (CAS), Phnom Penh The CAS team consisted of: Research coordination: HEAN Sokhom PhD. Principle investigator: Kristina CHHIM PhD. Field work team: Mr. HUN Tirith Ms. SOKHAN Synoda Report writing: Kristina CHHIM PhD. Report editing: Roger HENKE / Sandra JONES Copyright © International Labour Organization 2005 First published 2005 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to the Publications Bureau (Rights and Permissions), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland, or by email: [email protected] . The International Labour Office welcomes such applications. ILO / CAS Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and Poverty Reduction Strategies in Cambodia Geneva, International Labour Office, 2005 ISBN 92-2-117127-2 WEB PDF 92-2-117150-7 CIP data: Also available in Khmer: ISBN 92-2-2-817127-8, Phnom Penh, 2005 ILO Cataloguing in Publication Data The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. ILO publications can be obtained through major booksellers or ILO local offices in many countries, or direct from ILO Publications, International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. Catalogues or lists of new publications are available free of charge from the above address, or by email: [email protected] Visit our website: www.ilo.org/publns Printed in Switzerland 2 Acknowledgements Thanks to all those who contributed to this study. Particular thanks go to the representatives of indigenous and tribal peoples who took their time to participate in the consultations, focus group discussions, and interviews overseen by the CAS team, who made such a valuable contribution to our own understanding, and without whose input this study would have been impossible. Special thanks to the Highlanders Association in Ratanakiri. Additional thanks go to SEILA/PLG Ratanakiri ( Mr. Touch Tonet); the Department of Rural Development Kratie ( Mr. Thorn Sary and Ms. Tuon Saophoan); and the Department of Rural Development Mondulkiri (Mr. Jun Saraom any Mr. Srey) Sreang), who provided institutional support for this study. We also wish to express our profound gratitude to the following NGOs and institutions for their invaluable advice, information sharing and support: NGO Forum Cambodia; CLEC, ICC, Network Ratanakiri; CIDSE Ratanakiri, Health Unlimited Ratanakiri; and the SPP Network, Kratie. These are among the many institutions that contributed information and advice. Thanks also to ILO staff in Phnom Penh, Bangkok and Geneva for their valuable advice and guidance. Finally, thanks to the Royal Government of Cambodia for its support. Particular thanks in this respect go to the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the Ministry of Rural Development and other ministries and their provincial counterparts that shared information and participated in the process of undertaking this study. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................4 LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................6 Executive summary .........................................................................................................................7 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................15 1.1 A note on terminology .............................................................................................16 2. Indigenous and tribal peoples in Cambodia ...........................................................................17 2.1 Location of indigenous peoples ................................................................................17 2.2 Recent history ........................................................................................................18 2.3 Traditional livelihoods of indigenous peoples .............................................................19 2.4 Social organisation and ethnic identity of indigenous peoples ......................................19 2.5 A changing environment ..........................................................................................21 3. Understanding the poverty concerns of indigenous and tribal peoples: Trends, caused and perceptions .............................................................................................................................23 3.1 Indigenous perceptions of poverty in the Cambodian context ......................................24 3.2 Findings of fieldwork in three provinces .....................................................................25 3.2.1 General assessment of the present socio-economic situation ................................27 3.2.2 Dwindling of natural resources / increasingly affected environment............................28 3.2.3 Issues related to land security ................................................................................29 3.2.4 Restrictions by administrative instructions, regulations and prohibitions .....................31 3.2.5 Traditional leadership in the context of formal administrative and new development structures .....................................................................................................................32 3.2.6 Changing values in the context of indigenous identity...............................................34 3.2.7 Implications of development efforts at village level...................................................36 3.2.8 Gender issues .......................................................................................................37 3.3 Perceived Reasons for Poverty and Indigenous Poverty Reduction Strategies ..............39 3.3.1. Indigenous criteria for poverty and some perceived reasons for poverty....................40 3.3.2. Food security .......................................................................................................41 3.3.3. Increasing population ...........................................................................................42 3.3.4 Land as decisive marker of ethnic identity ...............................................................43 3.3.5. Education and health aspects ................................................................................44 3.3.6. Development Aspirations and Priorities...................................................................45 4. Participation of indigenous and tribal peoples in the PRSP process ..................................49 4.1 Participation in poverty reduction efforts at local level .................................................49 4.2 Participation in the national poverty reduction strategy process ...................................50 4.3 The relevance of the Cambodian PRSP for indigenous and tribal peoples ....................52 5. Conclusions ...............................................................................................................................56 5.1 Indigenous peoples‘ concerns and priorities for development ......................................56 5.2 Political and social conditions for indigenous peoples‘ participation in poverty reduction processes ........................................................................................................................58 6. Recommendations.....................................................................................................................61 6.1 Recommendations on land and resources .................................................................61 6.1.1. Establishing land security ..................................................................................61 6.1.2. Enhancing livelihood security .............................................................................61 6.2 Recommendations on the role of the Government and policy formulation .....................62 6.2.1. Clarification of terminology and rights and issues attached ......................................62 6.2.2. Finalization and adoption of the Indigenous Peoples Policy...................................62