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Greenland: Post-election analysis
December 2005
In the wake of national elections held on November 15, 2005 the leaders of Greenland's four major political parties have been quick to affirm that "the voters have spoken." Less clear is what exactly it was that the voters said.
Read the article by Jack Hicks 
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Montreal: Inuit Petition Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to Oppose Climate Change Caused by the United States of America
December 2005
The Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) on 7 December 2005 submitted a petition to the Washington DC-based Inter-American Commission on Human Rights seeking relief from violations of the human rights of Inuit resulting from global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions from the United States of America.
The petition documents existing, ongoing, and projected destruction of the Arctic environment and the culture and hunting- based economy of Inuit caused by global warming.
In November 2004, the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, prepared over a four-year period by more than 300 scientists from 15 countries and six Indigenous peoples organizations was released. The report carefully evaluates climate change and its impact on the Arctic region and its inhabitants. It can be found at: http://www.acia.uaf.edu/
See the press release by ICC |
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 Inuk girl in Iqaluit
Photo: Jack Hicks
 The community of Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
Photo: Les Carpenter
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Finland: Human Rights Committee order Finland to stop logging activities in Sámi area
November 2005
14th November 2005, the UN Human Rights Committee ordered Finland to stop logging activities in Nellim area in Inari which is one of the Sámi reindeer herding areas. This is considered an important step since the current and escalating activities is violating the rights of the Sámi people.
Read the press release from the Sámi Council
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Debate on Forest, Rivers and Streams Code in the Russian Federation
September 2005
On September 22 and 23, 2005 members of the DUMA will debate the draft of a forest, rivers and streams code in Russia at its second reading. In general, no special attention has been given to indigenous peoples although the experience all over the world has sufficiently shown the paramount importance of the forest for indigenous peoples seeking to sustain their historically and culturally developed way of life. You can support the solidarity action by sending a letter to the DUMA and the office of the President. A draft letter has been prepared (click below), but feel free to make your own version. Or you can contact Dr. Theodor Rathgeber at TRathgeber@gmx.net
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Protest Action on Sakhalin continues
The “Green Wave” demonstration started 28th of June, 2005
The demonstrators of the “Green wave” protest action are now blocking the roads to the coastal premises on the Bay of Chaivo of the oil company “Exxon Neftegaz Ltd” for the second day. They are protesting against the negative impact of oil drilling on the environment and indigenous peoples’ traditional way of life.
Read more about the Protest Action
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 One of the demonstrators, Alexei Limanzo
Photo: Raipon |
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New Protest Action on Sakhalin starts June 28, 2005
The “Green Wave” demonstration is backed up in Moscow and New York
On the 28th of June, 2005 representatives of the indigenous peoples of the island of Sakhalin in the Far East of Russia will start the second protest action against oil drilling in their traditional lands and the Sea of Okhotsk. The indigenous peoples of Sakhalin demand an independent ethnological impact assessment as well as the creation of a special Fund that should finance the necessary programs to minimise damages.
Read more about the Protest Action
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Protest against oil and gas development on Sakhalin, Russia
January 7, 2005
Two pipelines pumping oil and gas from the Okhotsk Sea shelf will cross the length and breadth of Sakhalin Island. The potential negative impact on the island’s eco-system and the consequences for the indigenous peoples, who live from fishing, hunting and reindeer herding, have never been adequately assessed. The past 8 years of oil and gas development have not benefited the island’s population in any way. It is time to put a stop to this situation and for the concerns of the islanders to be taken seriously. January 20, 2005 has been chosen as a day of protest by the indigenous peoples of Sakhalin.
Read their urgent appeal for support (Word)
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