Kathmandu, February 27:

The preparatory meeting of indigenous people, represented by indigenous leaders from 14 Asian countries, concluded here today.

The leaders expressed concern about rights violation due to militarisation and conflicts in the Asian countries. Indigenous children and women are bearing the brunt of militarisation and conflicts, they said.

They demanded the establishment of focal points at all UN bodies to look after human rights issues of the indigenous people. They said the impact of climate change on indigenous people is severe in terms of their livelihood, way of life and culture. Many indigenous people have been displaced from their places and are settled at urban areas where they forget their languages and cultures and have no means to conserve them. Governments should address issues of indigenous people by formulating relevant policies, convener of the programme Dr Sumitra Manandhar said.

The meeting has come up with a common position of Asian Indigenous People on different agendas. The common position will be presented at the seventh session of the United National Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues to be held from April 15 to May 2 in New York.

Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihood and the stewardship role of indigenous people and new challenges are the themes of the seventh session. The meeting was organised by five Nepali organisations, including the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities and National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities.