Call for Papers

Theme: Access to Justice for Indigenous Peoples
Subtitle: Realisation of an Inclusive and Integrated Human Rights Approach
Type: International Conference
Institution: Centre of Malaysian Indigenous Studies
Location: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Date: 9.–11.4.2015
Deadline: 18.2.2015

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Access to justice involves more than the administration of justice
through the courts. It includes informal mechanisms to provide people
with a sense of “justice” in various contexts and calls for respect
and treatment of peoples with equal dignity, including proper
consultation on matters pertaining to rights of affected peoples.

Many indigenous peoples have suffered various forms of historical
injustices and continue to face challenges to recognition of their
rights. Recognising this, the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples provide that respect for their rights
involves recognising their rights to maintain control and connection
to their lands, territories and forests, to strengthen indigenous
juridical systems, their social, economic and cultural institutions,
their rights to maintain their language, cultural heritage, customs,
traditional knowledge, and rights of women in the community. As they
cope with modern living, this involves giving them equal rights to
critical health care and education.

As indigenous peoples’ rights are both individual and collective in
nature, indigenous peoples remain committed to their struggles and
their culture continues to be vibrant while their traditional
knowledge is a source of invaluable ingenuity. This helps to better
understand their traditional knowledge is a source of invaluable
ingenuity. This helps to better understand their traditional values
which can help to inform formulation of national strategies, policies
and laws, as well as the moulding of equitable remedies.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE

- To provide a platform for academic forum by bringing together
researchers, individuals and persons whose scholarly work involves
indigenous peoples, to discuss issues concerning access to justice
for indigenous communities.

- To explore avenues for full and effective participation of
indigenous communities in various decision making institutions
related to their rights and furtherance of their self determination
in all spheres.

- To discuss an inclusive and integrated human rights based approach
which is critical to solving various issues between states and
indigenous communities.

PANELS/ SUB-THEMES

Papers may be submitted under the following or other related headings:

- Indigenous peoples jurisprudential approach to justice and its
attainment
- Business, human rights and indigenous peoples
- Indigenous governance, institutions, conflict resolution and
restorative justice
- Environmental justice and sustainability of equitable
socio-economic development
- Forest laws, governance and trade and community rights
- Free Prior and Informed Consent
- ICT and indigenous communities
- Wellness, social welfare and health issues in indigenous communities
- Indigenous peoples and community management of forests
- Indigenous women's access to justice
- Language and education
- Protection of ancestral lands, territories and resources
- Self-determination and indigenous identity
- Traditional knowledge, cultural heritage and benefit sharing

CALL FOR PAPERS

Academics, lawyers, policy makers and government officers, NGO
representatives are invited to contribute papers at this conference.
Authors are invited to submit an abstract of not more than 250 words.
It should include the title, the author and contact details with
keywords. All abstracts must be submitted electronically as a Word
document, attachment to the organizers at:
umindigenousconf2015@gmail.com

Abstracts and full papers are to be Times New Roman 12’, at least 1.5
spacing. Please indicate your preferred panel. Paper presenters are
required to send in a full paper prior to the conference.

Selected papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of
Malaysian and Comparative Law (a peer reviewed journal) or as a
chapter in a book published by UM Press.

DEADLINES

Abstract submission:
18 February 2015

Acceptance notification by email:
25 February 2015

Paper submission:
25 March 2015

REGISTRATION FEES

Local Students:
RM 150.00

Local participants:
Early Bird: RM400.00
Normal rate: RM 500.00

International participants:
Early bird: USD 150
Normal rate: USD 200

(This fee covers conference materials, lunches, tea and coffee breaks)
Early bird deadline: 15 March 2015

SECRETARIAT

Centre of Malaysian Indigenous Studies
Level 4, Wisma R & D
University of Malaya
Jalan Pantai Baharu
59990 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 2246-3244
Fax: +60 3 2245-3245
Email: umindigenousconf2015@gmail.com
Web: http://cmis.um.edu.my/?modul=Home&pilihan=Display&id=3042