The rights of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples to fair political participation should be protected by revisions to the makeup of the ROC Legislature, scholars in aboriginal studies said March 6.
Currently, six of the Legislature’s 113 seats are reserved for indigenous peoples, with three each for highland and lowland constituencies.
“This is not a just way to ensure political participation for all 14 recognized indigenous groups, whose population sizes vary greatly,” said Jolan Hsieh, an associate professor in the Department of Ethnic Relations and Cultures at Hualien-based National Dong Hwa University.
Candidates from the three largest tribes—the Amis, Atayal and Paiwan—are more likely to be elected than those of other groups, she pointed out.
“We need to revise the law so that all groups are fairly represented in the Legislature.”
Hsieh made the remarks at the first public hearing held by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, in Tainan, to seek opinions on the feasibility and social impact of official recognition of the plains aboriginal groups, also known as Pingpu.
A survey commissioned by the CIP shows that 80,000 to 100,000 people in Taiwan identify themselves as Pingpu, speaking related languages or performing aboriginal rituals. They include members of the Ketagalan, Kavalan, Taokas, Pazeh, Babuza, Papora, Hoanya, Siraya and Makatao.
Duan Hong-kun, a Siraya anthropologist and a survey team member, said recognition of the Pingpu groups may be realized in ways that reduce the impact on the allocation of public resources to the 500,000 people of the indigenous tribes now recognized by the government.
“Safeguarding the political, land, educational and cultural rights of the Pingpu is more important than the fair distribution of resources,” he added.
“If up to 100,000 more people are recognized as aborigines, both legislative seats and representation in local assemblies would have to be reconfigured to meet the new reality.” (THN)