Akchin Indian Community

Ak-Chin tribe, Maricopa feud over annexation

The debate involves the proposed annexation of not only the landowners’ properties but also pieces of land that are owned by the Ak-Chin Community. The land up for annexation is about 3,260 acres; it has an eastern border of Russell Road and a southern border of Miller Road, while butting up to Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway to the north. If the Ak-Chin Community converts the portion it owns to trust status — land governed by the tribe and exempt from state and local taxes and removed from local law enforcement jurisdiction — it could essentially land-lock the city and prevent further development in that direction. Maricopa also borders the Gila River Indian Community to the north. Smith’s third reason was that Ak-Chin had notified the city of Maricopa and Pinal County in February that it was starting a process to convert three areas of land it currently owns into trust — or reservation — status. One of the properties is within the annexation area. Ak-Chin is upset because the city’s filing for annexation delays that process. Rich said he thinks both Ak-Chin and the city can be satisfied through the annexation process. He said Ak-Chin can still convert its land to trust after annexation. On the other hand, Rich said if Ak-Chin converts the land to trust before annexation by the city, “you may forever be locked getting to the south around the east side of your city.

Marginalization Of Malaysia Indian Community: A Hindraf ...

By Waytha Moorthy interviwed by Prof. V. Suryanarayan

Question: Mr Waytha Moorthy, why are you carrying on your political work from England?

My Malaysian passport was revoked by the Malaysian Government in 2008 while I was carrying out international lobbying work in Europe and USA. As a result I had no choice but to seek political asylum in the United Kingdom and hence I am leading the movement from exile. Now I have only a travel document issued under the Geneva Convention, which, however, prohibits me from going to my home country, Malaysia.

Question: You are currently involved in filing a case against the British Government for the incalculable harm that has befallen the Indian community on the ground that the British colonialists took the Indian labourers to Malaya for developing the plantations.

Why have you taken this initiative?

I feel the British Government should be held accountable for their past wrongs. We the Malaysian Indians were exploited for 150 years and on giving independence to Malaya our rights as British subjects, minority citizens and human beings were not protected and safeguarded in the new federal Constitution of Malaya. Racist provisions favouring the majority Malay Muslims were enacted knowing fully well that those provisions will be used to oppress, suppress and marginalize the minority Indian community. The purpose of this litigation, in addition to seeking monetary compensation, is mainly to make the world aware that the colonial government has failed in their international obligations to treat all men as equals.

Question : I understand that two British lawyers involved in human rights issues went to Malaysia to make an on the spot study of the problem, exchange views with representative sections of Malaysian Indian community and gather materials for filing the case in England. What are their impressions of Malaysia? What is the current status of litigation?