Karen Network for Culture and Environment (KNCE) Tanaosri region: Appeal for the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO) to guarantee community rights

Karen Network for Culture and Environment (KNCE) Tanaosri region: Appeal for the World Heritage Committee to guarantee community rights

1 July 2019

Dear the World Heritage Committee and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

With reference to Thailand’s proposal for the inscription of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (KKFC) as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Karen communities from Ban Pong Luke and Bang Kloy disagree with such nomination. Historically, Karen is an indigenous community established long before Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex announced as a national park. The forced eviction, land rights violations, legal charges, and the failure of Cabinet Resolution’s implementation constitutes a serious violation of human rights and indigenous rights. The Karen Network for Culture and Environment (KNCE) Tanaosri region requests the Thai government and World Heritage Committee as follows

1. 1. Authorize the community-based management of 10 years traditional rotational farming.
2. 2. Establish Huai Krasu area as government-community co-organize rotational farming research Center.
3. 3. Endure self- determination for Karen Indigenous population permanent residency
4. 4. Authorize the Karen community committee to work as the rotational farming management team.
5. 5. Embrace the traditional livelihood, community rights, and human rights of the Karen Community.
6. 6. The Karen Network for Culture and Environment (KNCE) Tanaosri region and Thai government shall be the co-nominator in proposing Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. 7. The Karen community will not endorse the announcement of Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site unless the above requests taken to action.

Currently, Thailand did not respond to the request made by the Karen Network for Culture and Environment (KNCE). We do not endorse the announcement of Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex as a World Heritage Site. We hope that the World Heritage Committee will bear in mind its obligations to the requests and protect the rights of Karen communities. We are welcome to follow the World Heritage Committee and Thai government in preserving the area.

Confirm according to the information from an announcement at Koh Sadeung village, Sesawo Wildlife Sanctuary Sangkhlaburi District Kanchanaburi province 12 February 2016

Karen Network for Culture and Environment (KNCE) Tanaosri region

Contact: Wut Boonlert 081 8113754