Aizawl: The Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) successfully represented the Zo people at the United Nations meeting, as highlighted in an interaction with media persons on Wednesday.
ZORO’s UN representative, Lalnunfela Chawngthu, and ZORO Western Zone president provided a detailed report on their participation.
Chawngthu noted that there are 194 countries in the United Nations, with 90 of them having indigenous peoples. At this UN meeting, 730 delegates represented various indigenous communities. He mentioned that although they were given only three minutes to speak, which limited their ability to convey their full message, they aimed to shed light on the struggles faced by the Zo people in India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
He emphasized that while ZORO might not be widely recognized in Mizoram, it holds significant importance in Switzerland, where their delegates are given considerable attention. Chawngthu highlighted that the mission of ZORO is crucial and deserves greater priority. He also shared feedback from other delegates, who suggested that the Zo people need to work more on unity to stand up for their rights effectively.
Chawngthu mentioned that some attendees at the UN meeting observed that the Zo people are surrounded by Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities, which might restrict their rights. He advocated for the Zo people to be under one administration to ensure their freedom and rights.
The UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 17th Session was held from July 8th to 12th, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. In his address at the United Nations, Chawngthu advocated for the rights of the Zo Indigenous Peoples spread across Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. He highlighted the challenges faced by ethnic Zo communities due to geopolitical divisions enforced during colonial times.
“The Zo peoples, scattered across borders imposed by colonial powers, are unjustly divided and denied their fundamental rights,” Chawngthu stated, addressing the UN assembly. He pointed out ethnic clashes in Manipur, where violence and displacement have plagued minority hill tribes, forcing many to flee their homes.
He criticized India’s plans to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, arguing it would further restrict the freedom of movement for Zo communities, who are already struggling with internal conflicts and displacement. Chawngthu also stressed the urgent need for international support to address the worsening humanitarian crisis faced by Zo people, particularly those seeking refuge in Mizoram from neighboring Bangladesh amid escalating tensions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
“Our people are under siege from multiple fronts—Bangladesh, Myanmar, Assam, and Manipur,” he said, demanding immediate humanitarian aid and the recognition of the Zo people’s right to self-determination.
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