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Chile: Young Mapuche killed by police
January 2008
Matías Catrileo, a 22 year old Mapuche student of agriculture, died on January 3 as a consequence of shots fired by police which hit him in the back. This incidence is part of a trend of a disproportionate use of force against Mapuche social activists. In 2006 alone, 20 cases of mistreatment against Mapuche people and communities by state police forces were recorded. The trend continued throughout 2007.
 Read the Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas' press release (pdf)
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The Achuar people of Peru battles oil giant over pollution
March 2008
The Achuar people living in the Amazon rainforest of north-eastern Peru that filed a class action lawsuit against oil giant Occidental Petroleum in Los Angeles last year, are now awaiting a judge's decision on whether the case can proceed in the US or will be sent back to Peru, where it stands little chance of coming to court.
 Read the BBC article
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Statement on the situation in Bolivia
April 2008
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, today stated that he had completed the report on his visit to Bolivia in December of last year.
Read the statement
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Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples an historic opportunity to advance human rights
April 2008
The Organization of American States (OAS) is a vital regional agency committed to the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. The Inter-American human rights system has a strong tradition and record of progressive action in relation to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Indigenous peoples participating in this process call upon Canada and the United States to withdraw their reservations, to not block consensus, and adopt a constructive attitude to ensure the timely adoption of the draft American Declaration, that reflects in a true and effective manner our human rights.
Read the statement by Canada (14 April 2008) - (doc)
Read the public statement from Amnesty International Canada (14 April 2008) - (weblink)
Response of the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus of the Americas (15 April 2008) - (doc)
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Two IWGIA supported journalists kidnapped in Bolivia
April 2008
On Sunday 13 April, the Bolivian Vice-Ministry of Lands attempted to enter the Alto Parapetí area to undertake an inspection of large ranches that are allegedly holding indigenous Guaraní communities captive. The Vice-Minister was accompanied by, among many others, the cameraman Fernando Cola and journalist Tanimbu Estremadoiro who were making a documentary for IWGIA and the local NGO, CEJIS, on indigenous territorial demands in Bolivia. Both Fernando and Tanimbu were attacked.
Read more
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Colombia: Indigenous Women Brave War Zone to Express Solidarity
June 2008
A caravan of around 1,250 indigenous and afro-Colombian women and women's rights activists drove Saturday into an area of southwestern Colombia that is caught up in fighting between leftist guerrillas and the army, for a "Visit to the Family".
Read the story at ipsnews.net
Read about the indigenous peoples of Colombia 2007: "Indígenas sin derechos - Situación de los derechos humanos de los pueblos indígenas" (internal link, in Spanish)
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Mexico: Murder of Indigenous Reporters Fuels Hatred
June 2008
No one has been brought to justice for the murders of two young indigenous reporters in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca in April, a case that has mobilised social activists and drawn condemnation from UNESCO.
Read the article at upsidedownworld.org
Earlier news:
Protection of indigenous media sought at the UN (May 19 2008, indiancountry.com)
Two young women journalists working for indigenous community radio station in Oaxaca ambushed and shot (April 9, 2008, Reporters without Borders, web link)
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IACHR Concludes visit to Bolivia
June 13, 2008
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) conducted a visit to Bolivia from June 9-13, to gather information on the situation faced by a large number of indigenous Guaraní families known as captive communities, who continue to live in a state of bondage analogous to slavery in Bolivia’s Chaco region, in the departments of Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, and Tarija.
Read the press release (web link, cidh.org)
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Indigenous from the Peru-Brazil border are victims of illegal logging
June 2008
Two press releases from CIPIACI states that indigenous peoples from the Peru-Brazil border are victims of illegal logging and that loggers persecute them, murder them and burn their dwellings. A commission conformed by directors and technicians from CIPIACI and FENAMAD in partnership with the Asháninka Apiwtxa Association of the Amonya River, in Brazil, conducted a mission to the Peru-Brazil border, in order to ascertain the situation of the indigenous people in isolation.
Read the press release from June 27, 2008
Read the press release from June 30, 2008
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Bolivia: Historic vote confirms will for change
August 2008
With 99% of votes counted, Bolivia’s first indigenous president won a crushing 67.43% vote in the August 10 recall referendum.
Read more on greenleft.org
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Peru's Congress repeals land laws pushed by Garcia
August 22 2008
Peru's Congress voted on Friday to overturn two land laws issued by President Alan Garcia which sparked protests and highlighted tensions over whether to develop tribal land or conserve it.
Read more on uk.reuters.com
Read more on news.bbc.co.uk
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Brazil: Judge upholds Indian land rights
28 August 2008
On the 27th of August in a packed Supreme Court in Brazil, a key judge voted to uphold the demarcation of the indigenous territory Raposa-Serra do Sol. The case was adjourned at the request of another judge, and a final ruling is expected later this year.
Read more on survival-international.org
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In defence of Human Rights and Democratic Pluralism in Bolivia
September 2008
It is with the utmost concern that we have received numerous complaints of acts of violence taking place in the Bolivian Oriente. Dozens of lives have been lost and the country’s unity is at risk. Alarming information has also been received with regard to acts of aggression being perpetrated against human rights defenders and indigenous leaders in the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija, including the destruction of their offices and clashes in the poorer districts of the Oriente’s capitals.
 Read the petition in English (doc)
Read the petition in Spanish (doc)
See who signed the petition
Join our Facebook Cause now!
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Letter to Condoleeza Rice regarding Bolivia
21 September 2008
Dear Dr. Rice,
We are writing out of deep concern over recent events in Bolivia that have left dozens dead and cost millions of dollars in lost revenue to the Bolivian government and the Bolivian people. We are especially concerned that the United States government, by its own admission, is supporting opposition groups and individuals in Bolivia that have been involved in the recent whole-scale destruction, violence, and killings, above all in the departments of Santa Cruz, Pando, and Chuquisaca.
Read the letter at ubnoticias.org
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Guatemala: Community fights mine for water
2 October 2008
By Louisa Reynolds. Since 2005, the Mayan Sipakapense community has fought against Montana Exploradora SA, a subsidiary of Canadian corporation Glamis Gold Ltd. Montanta has drilled on 142 hectares (351 acres) of rocky ground from its Marlin mine, in the northern department of San Marcos, nestled between Sipacapa and San Miguel Ixtahuacan municipalities, to extract gold and silver. In the process, it is expected to destroy 289 hectares (714 acres) of forestland and heavily polluting the Tzala River with the detritus.
Read the article (PDF)
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The Vice-President of Bolivia, Álvaro Linera, talks to IWGIA
On 27 October 2008 IWGIA interviewed the vicepresident of Bolivia, Álvaro García Lineras, about the process of drafting a new Constitution. Below you will find a link to a transcription of the interview and the entire interview on video.
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Nicaragua’s titling of native lands marks crucial step for indigenous rights
– UN expert
17 December 2008
An independent United Nations human rights expert has praised the Nicaraguan Government for giving the indigenous Awas Tingni community the title to its traditional lands, marking the culmination of a decades-long struggle by the group to gain recognition and protection of its ancestral territory.
Read more in English
Read more in Spanish
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Colombia: The murder of indigenous leaders and activists continues
22 December 2008
The same week that the report on the human rights situation in Colombia was being considered by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, indigenous organisations in Colombia informed us of the murder at the hands of the Colombian army of Edwin Legarda, husband of Aída Quilcué, main councillor of the CRIC.
IWGIA communiqué (English)
IWGIA communiqué (Spanish)
ONU communiqué (Spanish)
Communiqué from Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca (Spanish)
Communiqué from Movimiento de Autoridades Indígenas de Colombia (Spanish)
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Building DIGNITY
Bolivia’s Constituent Assembly 2007-2008 Bolivia
“Bolivia is a Unitary, Plurinational, Communitarian and Democratic State.” The first article of the new Constitution reflects the complexity of Bolivia’s myriad of diversities, permeated by the visions of its founding colonial peoples and spurred on by the passionate memory of the 36 indigenous peoples who are now demanding their inclusion, once and for all, in the nation state. “Building Dignity” offers a complete panorama of the voices that meet, repel and complement each other within Bolivia. It is the chronicle of a constitutional process that has propelled the contradictions of a country based on differences and hopes for understanding into the world's limelight. Watch the IWGIA video here:
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