Pursuant to relevant laws, the Bsngan Tribe (in Xiulin Township, Hualien County) held a tribal meeting today (Feb. 12) at the Fushi Village Activity Center to initiate the consultation and consent procedure for the Asia Cement Corporation extension duration case. More than half of the indigenous households voted in favor of the case (total number of indigenous households in the tribe: 555; number of indigenous households attending the meeting: 374; number of votes in favor and against the Asia Cement Corporation extension duration case: 294 and 45, respectively), and the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) respected the decision made by the Bsngan Tribe.

    The CIP noted that pursuant to Article 21 of The Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, governments or private parties that engage in land development on indigenous land shall first consult and obtain the consent of indigenous peoples or tribes in accordance with the Guidelines for Consultation to Obtain the Consent of Indigenous Tribes established by the CIP. To abide by the decisions made by indigenous peoples signifies the protection of indigenous peoples’ land and natural resources and respect for their rights to self-determination. Although indigenous peoples expressed different opinions during the meeting, the consultation and consent procedure ultimately concluded successfully with the approval of the extension duration case and with the CIP respecting the decision of the tribe.

    The CIP further commented that the consent from indigenous tribe was obtained for the Asia Cement Corporation extension duration case pursuant to the consultation and consent procedure stipulated in Article 21 of The Indigenous Peoples Basic Law. In the future, the CIP will assist the tribes in supervising the developer to ensure that all plans and measures are completed as scheduled, and that mechanisms for joint participation, management, and benefit-sharing are enforced.