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Brazil: Government gives go-ahead for Belo Monte dam
27 August 2010 |
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Brazil's government has given the formal go-ahead for the building on a tributary of the Amazon of the world's third biggest hydroelectric dam. After several failed legal challenges, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed the contract for the Belo Monte dam with the Norte Energia consortium. Critics say the project will damage the local ecosystem and make homeless 50,000 mainly indigenous people.
 Read full story (BBC News)
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Mali nomads flee drought
27 August 2010 |
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Nomadic communities in northern Mali's desert regions are facing one of the most serious droughts of the last twenty years.
"Since the end of last year's rainy season, many herders understood that this was going to be a drought year," said Mohamed Assaleh, mayor of the northern town of Talatye. "Grass hasn't grown anywhere in the district. So they have decided to search for pastures further afield."
More than a quarter of the district's population has already migrated elsewhere - towards the Niger river at Tessie and Ouattagouna, into neighbouring Niger and even as far as Burkina Faso far to the south.
Read full story (IPS news) |
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India: Dongria Kondh tribe in stunning victory over mining giant
27 August 2010
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On 24 August, India’s Dongria Kondh tribe has won a stunning victory over one of the world’s biggest mining companies. In an extraordinary move, India’s Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has blocked Vedanta Resources’ controversial plan to mine bauxite on the tribe’s sacred hills.
Actor and broadcaster Michael Palin said today, ‘I’m absolutely delighted that the threat of destruction has been lifted from those who have lived for so long in the Nyamgiri hills. I hope it will send a signal to the big corporations that they can never assume that might is right. It’s a big victory for the little people.’
Read full story (Survival International)
Amnesty International: India rejection of Vedanta mine a landmark victory for Indigenous rights |
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UN Special Rapporteur publishes report on indigenous peoples of Russia
25 August 2010 |
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The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya, has made public his report on the situation of indigenous peoples in the Russian Federation, which follows a visit to the country from 4 to 16 October 2009. In the report, the Special Rapporteur welcomes initiatives undertaken by the federal and some regional governments to improve the living conditions of indigenous peoples and to advancing their cultures and participation in decision-making. Still, he writes, further efforts are needed to ensure that the existing laws are fully and consistently implemented throughout Russia and for all indigenous peoples, and to ensure that indigenous peoples’ rights, especially to lands and resources, consultation, and participation at the municipal, regional and federal levels, are fully respected.
UN Press release
Full report in English (PDF)
The Report in Russian (PDF) |
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Russia: Residents of Northern Yakutia feel devastating effects of global warming
24 August 2010 |
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According to the Russian news agency Vostok-Media, Chukchi representatives from Yakutia say, that their community might disappear within the next decade. This is what Villagers of Kolymskoye told the Russian news agency Vostok-Media, responding to questions about the impact of the record summer heat, which has hit the Far North East of Sakha (Yakutia), a giant autonomous territory in Russia’s Far East, within which the world’s coldest permanently inhabited places are located.
Read more |
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Burundi: Batwa representatives nominated to the National Assembly and Senate
18 August 2010
According to the Constitution and the electoral code of Burundi, the national independent electoral commission should nominate 3 Batwa (indigenous peoples) to the National Assembly and 3 Batwa to the Senate based on a list presented by the representative organizations of Batwa, which are legally recognized and regionally represented. In Burundi, 5 indigenous organizations have presented candidates after consultation meetings with the indigenous peoples. Yesterday, the Constitutional Court has published the final results of the last legislative election. The list below contains the names and organisations of the Batwa nominated: |
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| Candidate | Organisation | Chamber | | NDIKUMANA Evariste | ASSEJEBA | NATIONAL ASSEMBLY | | KUBWINTWARI Elias | UJEDECO | NATIONAL ASSEMBLY | | AHINGEJEJE Alfred | UCEDD | NATIONAL ASSEMBLY | | BAMBANZE Vital | UNIPROBA | SENATE | | NICAYENZI Liberate | UNIPROBA | SENATE | | BIGIRIMANA Sophie | AIDEB | SENATE |
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Ecuador: Indigenous human rights defenders investigated for terrorism after protests
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17 august 2010
The Ecuadorian government is investigating Marlon Santi (president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, or CONIAE) for alleged sabotage and terrorism in connection with his participation in a protest against government exclusion of Indigenous representatives from a high-level, international meeting about Indigenous issues. On June 24 and 25, the presidents of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela met in Otavalo to discuss, among other issues, Indigenous affairs, but no Indigenous groups were invited to this meeting of the “Bolivarian Alliance (ALBA).” This omission spurred a protest by thousands of Indigenous people.
Increasingly, the Ecuadoran government has been launching investigations and legal actions against NGOs that oppose the government, especially those involved in anti-mining activities. Ecuador’s new mining law now guarantees mining companies protection of their operations; hence these accusations seem to serve to marginalize the voices of Indigenous and campesino organizations.
Read more on the web site of Cultural Survival |
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NEW CONSTITUTION IN KENYA
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10 August 2010
In a historic constitutional referendum on 4th August, 2010, 68 % of the Kenyan’s who turned out to vote supported the proposed new constitution. Indigenous communities also voted in favour of the proposed new constitution. The new constitution is a clean break with the past and provides several avenues for the pursuit and strengthening of indigenous peoples individual and collective rights.
Read more about the gains for indigenous peoples ...
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It’s not enough to support the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, says UN expert
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10 August 2010
The following statement has been issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
GENEVA (9 August 2010) – “The poorest among the poor, indigenous peoples continue to be at the margins of power and, in many cases, disregard of their basic human rights escalates into violence against them,” said the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, in commemoration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
“However, they have preserved, generation after generation, an extraordinary wealth of knowledge, culture, and spirituality in the common benefit of humankind, contributing significantly to the world’s diversity and environmental sustainability,” the UN independent expert noted.
“Still, it is painfully apparent that historical patterns of oppression continue to manifest themselves in ongoing barriers to the full enjoyment of human rights by indigenous peoples,” Mr. Anaya said. “Indigenous peoples continue to see their traditional lands invaded by powerful actors seeking wealth at their expense, thereby depriving them of life-sustaining resources.” Continue reading …
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Message on the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples from the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
9 August 2010
Today we celebrate the indigenous peoples around the world and the long way they have come in regaining their rights since the day was first celebrated in 1994. Never before have indigenous peoples enjoyed so many formal rights and had so many spaces in the international political system to promote them.
In spite of the positive developments achieved, IWGIA continues to receive reports from our partners around the world, providing a frighteningly clear picture of the situation of indigenous peoples in 2010 as one of an uphill struggle for physical and cultural survival in a world dominated by environmental insecurity, development aggression and continuous criminalization of indigenous lifestyles and social protests.
The 2010 issue of IWGIA’s yearbook The Indigenous World reports once again on gross abuses of human rights across the world, and it seems that never before have indigenous peoples been under so much pressure from national and global economic interests in their lands and natural resources. Time and again states and companies are willing to neglect or violate indigenous peoples’ rights in the name of economic development.
It is thus clear that a persistent, and even widening, implementation gap remains between the good intentions frequently expressed in legal frameworks and the effective protection of indigenous peoples’ rights on the practical, everyday level. Much more therefore needs to be done to translate international achievements in normative development into concrete and durable changes in policy and practice at the national level.
In the years to come, it will be a major challenge to make politicians and development agencies maintain and increase their support to indigenous peoples and commit themselves to put the many international human rights instruments to good use for the real benefit of indigenous peoples.
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Preliminary statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on New Zealand
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6 August 2010
James Anaya, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, carried out a country visit to New Zealand from 19-23 July 2010. During his visit the SR assessed the situation of the Maori people, in follow up to the 2005 visit by his predecessor, Rodolfo Stavenhagen. In his preliminary statement, the Special Rapporteur notes that, while some advancements have been made since his predecessor’s visit, including proposed repeals to the Foreshore and Seabed Act and continued treaty settlements to address Maori grievances within the framework of the Treaty of Waitaingi, continued efforts need to be made in this regard, in consultation with the Maori people. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes that the principles enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi and related internationally-protected human rights must be provided with constitutional security.
Download and read the preliminary statement issued by the Special Rapporteur as a pdf here
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UN Special Rapporteur concludes visit to New Zealand
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23 July 2010
UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation and Fundamental Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya has concluded his visit to New Zealand. As “troubling” inequalities persist between Maori and non-Maori, New Zealand must press ahead with efforts to improve the human rights of its indigenous people, a United Nations independent expert said at a briefing on 23 July.
The country has made efforts to address ongoing challenges on the issue, but “I cannot help but note the extreme disadvantage in the social and economic conditions of Maori people, which are dramatically manifested in the continued and persistent high levels of incarceration of Maori individuals,” said James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous people.
Read more (NewsRoomAmerica.com |
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Ethiopia: Major farm land acquisition in Gambela region for soybean cultivation threatens indigenous peoples
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7 July 2010
As the land is being given out to the foreign companies in unprecedented way, the future of the indigenous people and their survival becomes uncertain. Until today, two companies have been operating in the Gambela region with allocation of 410,000 hectares. Saudi Star was initially reported to have been given 10,000 hectares, recent information indicates that the allocation has risen to 160,000 hectares. Karuthuri, another Indian company holds 250,000 hectares of land in the Gambela region. The second Indian company to which the article linked below refers has been given 250,000 hectares and have started clearing the land starting from Obela until the area of Arieth along the Gilo River. There is also information trickling from the ground that there are negotiations going on to give land across the Gilo River at Pinyudo area to foreign companies. Indigenous peoples are calling for support to stop this land grabbing which threatens to have serious impacts on their livelihoods and their survival.
The Hindu Business Times: "Ruchi Soya takes farm land on lease in Ethiopia" |
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Bolivia: 69-Year-Old Native Leader Heads 1,500-Km March
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28 June 2010
Indigenous elder Ernesto Noé, 69, is once again leading his people on a long march from Bolivia's Amazon jungle, to protest environmental damages caused by the oil industry and demand respect for native land rights. The 1,482-km trek from Trinidad, the capital of the northeastern province of Beni, to La Paz in the western highlands will be his seventh protest march. The 700 indigenous protesters set out on Jun. 21 and expect to arrive in the capital in two months.
Read more (InterPressService) |
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Amnesty International: Alberta must respect Lubicon right
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22 June 2010
New maps of resource development on the traditional territory of the Lubicon Cree in northern Alberta reveal a reckless disregard for Lubicon rights in the licensing of oil and gas development on their land, the Canadian section of amnesty international says in a recently published report.
Amnesty International Press Release
"From homeland to oil sands. The impact of oil and gas development On the Lubicon Cree of Canada" Full report by Amnesty International Canada (PDF, 680 KB) |
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Climate Change: Indigenous peoples' final statement on Bonn negotiations
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11 June 2010
New indigenous peoples' position paper on the current Climate Change negotiations, adopted by the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) in Bonn, June 2010.
English version
Spanish version |
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India: Security forces shoot at Naga protesters in Manipur
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10 June 2010
On May 6, Manipur State security forces opened fire on Naga protesters at Mao Gate, at the border between Nagaland and Manipur. The Nagas gathered in protest to the Manipur government’s decision to prevent Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), to enter Manipur for his planned visit to his home village in Ukhrul district. Two young Nagas were killed and many were injured in the security forces’ indiscriminate firing at the protesters.
More details on the incident as well as background information on the conflict can be found in the background note prepared by the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR)
A recent article in the Hindustan Times by Sukhas Chakma of the Asian Centre for Human Rights, Delhli, provides additional perspectives on the roots of the conflict, also available as PDF
For updates on the post-incident development visit the Morung Express
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Brazil: AI urgent action to stop eviction of indigenous community
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8 June 2010
The indigenous Guarani community of Kurussu Ambá is at grave risk of violence and destitution unless the Brazilian government steps in to protect the Guarani and respect their land rights. Amnesty International has launched an urgent action running until 16 June 2010.
Read urgent action alert (Amnesty International)
"Call on authorities in Brazil to protect the Guarani People" (Intercontinental Cry) |
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Indigenous peoples and Environmentalist: Russia must learn its lesson from BP disaster
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7 June 2010
In a joint resolution, indigenous peoples' and environmental organisations of Russia demand, that Russia must learn its lesson from the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and provide for actual and all-round ecological safety of national oil projects at the offshore, including arctic seas, where the conditions to perform emergency works in case of an oil spill are incomparably more difficult than in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read more
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United States: Review of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
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8 June 2010
On April 20, 2010, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice announced at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that the United States has decided to review the U.S. position on the Declaration. The Administration recognizes that, for many around the world, this Declaration provides a framework for addressing indigenous issues.
The Department of State has created a new website to enable public input during the U.S. review of its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Read more |
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Russia: Indigenous peoples of Kamchatka prepare for protests
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27 May 2010
Indigenous peoples of Kamchatka are concerned by the address of the Legislative Assembly of Kamchatka Krai to the Minister of regional development B.F. Basargin. In this address he proposed five southern districts of Kamchatka (Elizovskiy, Ust-Bolsheretsky, Sobolevsky, Milkovsky and Ust-Kamchatskiy) and two city districts to be excluded from the List of areas of traditional habitation and traditional economic activities of indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation approved by the order of the Russian Government on 8th of May, 2009, 631-r.
Read more
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Repatriation of displaced Bru population
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26 May 2010
On May 21, the repatriation and rehabilitation of around 1,500 people from the displaced Bru population of 37,466 who had been living in six camps in Kanchanpur, Tripura, started. The Brus will be sent back to their villages in Mizoram.
read more in the Wall Street Journal
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Community land title law passed in Thailand
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21 May 2010
In Thailand, a law on the issuing of community land title deeds officially called “The Regulation of the Prime Minister Office on the Issuance of Community Land Title Deeds” has been passed by the Cabinet on 11 May 2010.
The essence of this law is to legally allow communities (both highland and lowland people) to collectively manage and use state-owned land for their living. This implies that the state still retains its claim to ownership of these lands. This is very different from what indigenous peoples are demanding: that they get legal recognition of traditional land tenure and resource management systems. The present law requires that a community has to periodically renew their land title deeds with the respective government agencies that formally own the land, which means that to the communities it is like renting their own land.
The law will become effective within 120 days, and under a pilot project 30 communities in provinces like Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phetchabun and Trang, among others, are expected to receive communal land title deeds in September.
read more |
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UN Special Rapporteur opens Website
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21 May 2010
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, has opened his own website aiming at facilitating communication with stakeholders such us indigenous peoples organizations, human rights defenders; civil society organizations, etc.
Please follow the link to this important website: http://unsr.jamesanaya.org/ |
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The Philippines: Videos on the impact of mining in Bulanjao and Gantong ranges in Palawan
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20 May 2010
Participatory Video Validates Geo-Tagging Evidences on Mining Threats to Palawan Ecology and Indigenous Livelihoods
Between July and September 2009, a mission organized by the Philippines-based Ancestral Land/Domain Watch (ALDAW) and the Centre for Biocultural Diversity (CBCD) at the University of Kent demonstrated how the ecological balance and the survival of vulnerable indigenous communities on Palawan Island (a “Man and Biosphere Reserve” program of UNESCO) is being threatened by the ongoing mining rush. The mission’s actual ‘matching’ of collected GPS data to photographs shows that the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements(MPSA) of mining firms, such as MacroAsia and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporations, overlap with precious watersheds and the so called “core zones” of maximum protection. During the mission indigenous communities were engaged in the making and editing of participatory videos.
These films provide powerful evidences on the entering of mining companies in “core zones” and in the ancestral domain of the Palawan.
Today the voices of these isolated Palawan communities are available through the following links:
Aldaw YouTube Channel
ALDAW VIMEO page
ALDAW NETWORK ask help to circulate these videos nationally and internationally, and use them to pressure the provincial and national governments. They also need more signatures for the online Palawan Campaign:
Sign the Palawan Campaign here
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India: Demand for Judicial Probe into firing at Mao Gate, Manipur
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17 May 2010
Press release
At an emergency press meeting held on the 6th of May at Constitution Club, New Delhi by Indian civil society organisations, those present including Naga MLAs from Manipur urged for peace but agreed that the situation is getting increasingly volatile even as minority communities in Manipur feel presently threatened by the heightened insecurity and historical discrimination. Independent Naga MLAs from Manipur have resigned as they feel their petitions to the Home Ministry have fallen on deaf ears. They are demanding a judicial enquiry on the situation that led to the firing by the Manipur IRB killing at least four persons and injuring several others at Mao Gate on the borders of Manipur on 06/05/10. They said hastening of the Indo-Naga Peace Process to reach an amicable solutaion acceptable to the Nagas is the only way to resolve the present crisis.
Read the full press release here
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Russia: Evenkiiskaya hydroelectric dam postponed
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4 May 2010
RusHydro, the Russian energy company planning to build the controversial Evenkiiskaya hydroelectric dam in Krasnoyarsk region has announced that it will not decide this year whether or not to go ahead with the plan. The Evenkiiskaya dam would create the world's largest artificial lake, submerging approxiamtely 9000 km², much of which is virgin forest. It would involve the displacement of many indigenous Evenks and the flooding of at least six Evenki villages. In August 2008, the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination urged Russia to withdraw support for the project, as it threatens the indigenous peoples' way of life.
Evenkia Dam Project Postponed (The Moscow Times)
WWF Russia campaign page (in Russian) |
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The Central African Republic ratifies ILO Convention 169
28 April 2010
The Central African Republic has ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The Central African Republic is the first African country to ratify this convention. Adopted in 1989, ILO Convention No. 169 is based on the recognition of indigenous and tribal peoples’ aspirations to exercise control over their own institutions, ways of life and economic development and to maintain and develop their identities, languages and religions, within the framework of the States in which they live. - Read ILO Convention 169
- Read the Central African Republic's ratification of ILO 169 – available only in French (pdf)
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Take Action: Indigenous peoples in Brazil threatened by eviction
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22 April 2010
Around 250 Guarani-Kaiowa Indigneous people are at risk of eviction from ancestral lands they recently occupied in the Brazilian midwest. If evicted they will be forced to live in precarious conditions by the side of a highway.
On 25 November 2009, the Guarani-Kaiowa community of Kurussú Ambá, reoccupied a small part of their ancestral lands on farmlands by the Rio Verde river in the midwestern Brazilian municipality of Coronel Sapucaia. Until then, they had been encamped by the side of the MS-289 highway. On 10 March, a local judge issued an eviction order. Lawyers working on behalf of the Indigenous community lodged an appeal against the decision in the Regional Federal Court, but this appeal has not yet been heard. The Guarani-Kaiowa community of Kurussú Ambá could be evicted at any time
Amnesty International is requesting you to take action before 2 June 2010
Read more |
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US 'will review' policy on DRIP
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22 April 2010
On 20 April 2010 US ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice announced, addressing the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, that her government was intending to review its policy on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP). This announcesment comes just a day after New Zealand's representative indicated a qualified endorsement of the document, which is the international de-facto standard for indigenous peoples' rights. In an alliance with Canda, Australia and New Zealand known informally as the CANZUS group, the US had been opposing the declaration for many years.
Remarks by US ambassador to UN Susan E. Rice
The Washington Post: U.S. to review stance on U.N. indigenous rights text |
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New book out: The Indigenous World 2010
21 May 2010
Featuring 64 country reports and a section on international processes relating to indigenous peoples, the book presents indigenous peoples’ voices and current concerns. It gives a unique overview of important events and developments in the indigenous world during 2009. The Indigenous World 2010 can be bought through our web shop for EUR 25.00 plus postage.
The Yearbook will be launched officially during the Ninth Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in Conference Room 1, UN Headquarters, New York on Thursday, 22 May, from 13.15-14.30 Interpretation will be provided E/S. |
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International: UNPFII Welcomes New Zealand's Endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
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21 April 2010
Statement of Mr. Carlos Mamani, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
Mr. Carlos Mamani, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), welcomed New Zealand’s endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, issuing the following statement:
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly by an overwhelming majority of Member States in September 2007. Since that time, the few states that voted against or abstained at the vote have steadily been endorsing the Declaration, which is the most comprehensive normative framework that commits States and the United Nations system to the rights of indigenous peoples.
I am very pleased that today, New Zealand has declared its support for the Declaration. In doing so, the Government of New Zealand has reaffirmed the principles of respect, non-discrimination and good faith enshrined in the Declaration. The Permanent Forum looks forward to continuing its engagement with the Government of New Zealand in a spirit of cooperation in order to advance the rights of indigenous peoples in New Zealand and around the world.
The Permanent Forum also hopes that other countries will declare their support for the Declaration.
Carlos Mamani, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Source: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/
More information about the The ninth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
IPS: Struggle for Native Rights Making Headway |
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Israel: Activist for Beduin rights put on trial today
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19 April 2010
The Government of Israel is putting Dr. Yeela Raanan on trial on Monday, April 19th, 11:00am in Beer Sheva for expressing her displeasure at the brutal home demolitions in the Unrecognized Bedouin Villages. Dr. Raanan, who is an Israelian Jew, has for many years worked for the Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages (RCUV); she has also contributed several times to The Indigenous World and to this Web page, denouncing the outrageous abuses that are being committed against the Bedouins of the Negev, Israel.
Read e-mail from Dr. Raanan entitled "Demolishing – and Silencing…" informing her friends and colleagues about the trial |
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Malaysia: Another victory for the natives of Sarawak
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April 2010
The Kayan community of Long Teran Kanan, Tinjar, Miri Division finally got the justice they deserve after fighting the legal battle at the High Court for more than 12 years to get recognition of their native customary rights to their native customary land.
Read more |
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India: Independent People’s Tribunal will address the human rights abuses and land grab currently taking place in tribal regions
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8 April 2010
An Independent People’s Tribunal (IPT) will be held on April 9, 10 and 11, 2010 at the Constitution Club, New Delhi.
This IPT will address the human rights abuses and land grab currently taking place in India’s tribal regions. It will study a vital issue that could spell life or death for 80 million indigenous people in our country. The IPT will focus on the States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, which are bearing the brunt of Operation Green Hunt. In particular, it will examine human rights abuses, forcible acquisition of Adivasi land as well as the looting of land, water, forest and mineral wealth in these areas.
This IPT is being organized by several individuals and groups, inviting a panel of eminent jurists, administrative service personnel, social scientists and writers. The people’s jury will hear testimonies from the affected people, social activists and experts working in these areas. The authorities would also be invited to participate and present their viewpoint.
For further information on the situation which gave rise to this tribunal please refer to the information sheet which can be downloaded here
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