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.
By IMMACULATA CASIMERO, TONY JAMES AND JUDY WINTER FOR DEBATES INDÍGENAS
In the name of development gold mining is destroying our environment, affecting the lungs of Mother Earth, contaminating rivers and weakening social relations in our communities. The greed from mining leads to deforestation and silences birds and wild animals. As we fight to breathe, we are surrounded by a deafening silence. If we choose to ignore it and not do anything about it, we are paving the way to our own extinction. Our actions will define the world where we will live and where future generations will live.
In a historic judgment by the Kenyan Environment and Land Court in Meru the title deeds of the land on which the Lake Turkana Wind Project (LTWP) sit have been declared “irregular and unlawful”. The case which began in October 2014 and finally ended on 19 October 2021 found that the title deeds were acquired irregularly.
The devastating genocide against the Tutsi claimed the lives of more than 800,000 Tutsi, moderate Hutu, and Twa people in Rwanda in 1994. Since then, the post-genocide government of Rwanda has embarked upon a unique and ambitious nation-rebuilding and reconciliation program which has restructured the social and physical landscape through modern development initiatives and “homegrown” solutions to reconciliation and national unity. Some of these solutions include gacaca community-based courts to try genocide suspects, a monthly community service day called umuganda, and ingando camps which aim to re-educate Rwandans on issues of history, unity, and civics. Many of these approaches to unity and reconciliation allege a rootedness in traditional Rwandan culture and claim to provide opportunities for participation among all citizens.
Photo: Refugees waiting for the distribution of water. Photo: Sebastião Salgado
COP26 – the two-week UN Climate Change Conference – begins next week in Glasgow.
As in previous years, IWGIA will be there in partnership and alongside Indigenous Peoples to support their engagement, messages and mission to influence the outcomes of this key climate conference, continuing to call for and ensure that Indigenous Peoples, their rights and their lands are included, recognised and protected in climate policies and negotiations.
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. Read The Indigenous World.
