NEW YORK , May 25, 2011 (WAFA)- Representative of the Bedouin Community in the West Bank, Mohammed al Korshan, spoke on Tuesday at the 10th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York, according to a release by UNRWA Public Information Office.

This came in an appeal to the international community for recognition and protection as a displaced indigenous group living as refugees under occupation.

Amongst his key messages al Korshan voiced his deep concern for the parallel collapse of his people's traditional livelihood and the distinctive tribal custom intrinsically linked to it, under the increasing pressure of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. He outlined the effects that the continuous threat of forced displacement have on his peoples' ability to exercise their basic human rights and also their rights as a tribal minority.

At the Forum, he asked that, while a just and durable solution to the plight of Palestine refugees is pending, the Bedouin in the West Bank be recognized and protected, without discrimination, as a displaced indigenous group currently living  under occupation.

He asked that Bedouin be consulted and permitted to participate in policy making that directly affects the exercise of their indigenous rights - including relocation and resettlement - and that measures be taken to secure their access to basic services and natural resources (especially water) in order to continue living their traditional tribal lifestyle/livelihood. He also asked for support in the creation of a Bedouin representative body with a view to achieving representation in the Palestinian legislative council.

His final request was that Professor James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, undertake a visit to the region in order to carry out a study on the human rights of Bedouin, with special focus on the refugee Bedouin group living under occupation in the West Bank.

F.R.