We share news linked to global processes, the indigenous peoples' movement and IWGIA's work in countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Find news, interviews, human rights alerts, new publications and reports here.
The spread of COVID-19 in Africa, so far,has reportedly been lower and caused fewer fatalities than onother continents, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) fears arapid acceleration of the spread of the pandemic in the coming months.i Thiswould have a devastating outcome due to the region’s fragile health-care systems and particularly devastating consequences for themarginalised and vulnerable Indigenous communities on the continent.
IWGIA welcomed Kathrin Wessendorf as its new Executive Director On 1 April 2020. Kathrin is a trained anthropologist from the University of Basel who brings with her over 20 years’ experience working with the Indigenous Peoples movement, helping to promote, protect and defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
By – Dilip Chakma, Convenor, Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI) and Paritosh Chakma, Advisor, ILAI
Introduction
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared as a pandemic and its impact on the world is yet to be fully assessed. Indigenous peoples living on the margins of the society are unlikely to be considered in the scheme of responses and reactions by most of the States.
Indigenous Peoples at increased risk due to coronavirus
Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders are more at risk of being targeted, as movement is restricted and governments broaden laws
Already marginalised, Indigenous Peoples chronically lack proper access to health resources and information, further exacerbating the risk to their communities in times of emergency
Indigenous Peoples’ are responding to the pandemic using self-determined protection mechanisms
COPENHAGEN | 30 MARCH 2020 | As the spread of COVID-19 continues, Indigenous Peoples worldwide are in increasing danger of losing their lives and having their rights strippedaway.
IWGIA - International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs - is a global human rights organisation dedicated to promoting, protecting and defending indigenous peoples’ rights. Read more.
Indigenous World
IWGIA's global report, the Indigenous World, provides an update of the current situation for indigenous peoples worldwide. The Indigenous World 2019.
