Strengthening the security of Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Written on 07 January 2021.

Human rights violations have escalated in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately affected, putting the structural inequalities and discrimination that Indigenous Peoples face into sharper focus as they are met by multiple threats simultaneously. 

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IACHR complaints cause tension among states

Written on 14 December 2020.

Urrejola with women from the Qhara Qhara Nation. Photo: IACHR.

The vice-president of the Inter-american Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Antonia Urrejola, points out that conflicts have always arisen between the Commission and the States concerning recommendations, but that these have now become more public. Urrejola, who is also the Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples, says the strength of the IACHR lies in its declarations, but public accusations by the States of an alleged lack of impartiality or interference in internal affairs weaken them. Beyond frustration at the lack of compliance by the States, Urrejola says the judgments are creating a kind of "inter-American awareness" of human rights.

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Fear of Indigenous constituents in Chile

Written on 22 December 2020.

The protests in Chile left in evidence that its political-economic system, which for years was considered the successful model to follow, but excludes most of the population, mainly indigenous people. Photo:Leandro Crovetto.

The political caste and economic power have focused their attention on avoiding the presence of Indigenous representatives in the process of Chile's new political constitution. The reason for their opposition is simple: the participation of 24 indigenous people would mean too much power and the Indigenous would be able to influence decision-making. However today, after centuries of exclusion, the time has come for Chile's native peoples to decide.

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Press-release: World on path to 3-degree temperature rise – Indigenous Peoples are on the frontline

Written on 11 December 2020.

Press release 

11 December 2020

• The UNEP Global Emissions Report 2020, published on 9 December, shows that despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, humanity is on pace to suffer a minimum 3-degree temperature rise by the end of the century
• International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) expresses deep concern. Such a rise will be devastating for all humanity, but standing at the forefront of this coming devastation are Indigenous Peoples
• Indigenous Peoples are stewards of nature and have been ringing the alarm of climate change for decades. They need to be listened to in global climate action.

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