In November 2023, Ian Fry, the inaugural U.N. Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, engaged with stakeholders in the Philippines to evaluate the state of environmental and human rights protections. His visit included the province of Iloilo, where the controversial Jalaur River megadam project continues to progress.
The article highlights Ian Fry’s meeting with stakeholders in the Philippines regarding the impacts of the Jalaur River megadam on the Tumandok people. The Tumandok have faced displacement and violence, particularly after the massacre in December 2020. Fry’s supportive report emphasizes the need for justice while the author’s translation notes serve as a foundation for a poetic project advocating for indigenous rights.
Fry’s visit culminated in a report that stood in solidarity with the victims, amplifying their narratives of trauma and resistance. My role as a translator in a confidential meeting allowed me to capture these testimonies, serving as a source for a project that transforms raw experiences into poetic language. This endeavor not only humanizes technical discourse but also calls for justice, encouraging a reevaluation of development practices that often overlook indigenous voices.
The Tumandok people, indigenous to Central Panay, face consequences from this project, having not only lost their homes but also enduring grave violence. On December 30, 2020, nine Tumandok leaders were murdered, and 17 others were arrested, accused of connections to insurgents. However, rights activists argue that these actions targeted the leaders due to their opposition to the megadam, highlighting a stark human rights violation amidst development efforts.
Original Source: www.sapiens.org
