Danske investeringer i Afrika risikerer at bryde oprindelige folks rettigheder

Af: Cille Aspelund Arnecke

Danmark har ambitioner om investeringer i Afrika, og de må rigtigt gerne være grønne. Grøn omstilling og bæredygtig udvikling er to begreber som nemt sidestilles, men når økonomiske interesser omsættes til konkrete projekter, er det ikke sikkert at projekterne rent faktisk er med til at sikre bæredygtig udvikling hos de mennesker, der lever i de områder, hvor investeringerne finder sted. Et projekt kan for eksempel have til formål at beskytte et naturområde, men samtidig medføre, at oprindelige folk mister adgang til land og naturressourcer, som har været grundlaget for deres levevis i generationer – noget som ofte sker uden reel inddragelse af de oprindelige folk i beslutningsprocessen. Over de seneste år er det gentagne gange set, at også grønne energiprojekter har ført til fratagelse af landområder og begrænset adgang til naturressourcer for oprindelige folk, uden at de er blevet hørt. I 2014 blev der blandt andet opført vindmøller i Kenya på landområder tilhørende folkene turkana, el molo, rendille og samburu. Vindmølleprojektet skulle levere grøn energi til hele Kenya, men de berørte samfund blev ikke inddraget i overdragelsen af jorden, og anlæggelsen fandt sted på områder med forfædres grave. Samtidig fik befolkningen i området ingen adgang til den producerede elektricitet. Senest er investeringer i safariturisme i Tanzania, foretaget af Bestseller-milliardæren Anders Holch Povlsen, kommet i søgelyset. Det er i dette spændingsfelt mellem udenrigspolitik, erhvervsinteresser og menneskers livsgrundlag, at FN’s Erklæring om Oprindelige Folks Rettigheder (UNDRIP) og FN’s Retningslinjer for Menneskerettigheder og Erhverv (UNGP) bliver afgørende. Retningslinjerne tydeliggør staters og virksomheders ansvar og rejser det centrale spørgsmål: Afspejler det voksende engagement i Afrika også Danmarks ambitioner om at beskytte oprindelige folks rettigheder i praksis?

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Forced Displacement in Indigenous Communities of the Sierra Tarahumara

BY CONTEC FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

Since the launch of the so-called "war on drugs" by Felipe Calderón in 2006, violence linked to organised crime has deepened across rural Mexico. In the northwestern Sierra Tarahumara region, this has led Indigenous families to abandon their communities in an attempt to escape food shortages, armed clashes, sexual violence against women, and the forced recruitment of men. Children are among the most severely affected by cartel violence, facing malnutrition, psychological trauma, and a lack of access to education.

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Political Victory for Challa: Bolivia’s New Autonomous Territorial Entity

BY BETZABE SACA CHOQUE FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

After years of advocacy, the Challa people have achieved a historic milestone towards their Original Autonomy with the approval of the Law Establishing the Challa Indigenous Peasant Territorial Unit. The Challa experience demonstrates that autonomy is not a concession, but a grassroots construction rooted in resistance and community unity. Challa is now on track to become the ninth Indigenous Autonomous Government within the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

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Diversity in Mexico: Towards an Intercultural Model

BY ELIAS ANGELES-HERNANDEZ FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

The form of multiculturalism adopted at the end of the 20th century through a constitutional reform has proved insufficient. In many ways, it emphasised differences through a type of recognition that does not encourage meaningful interaction among the various sectors of society. It is therefore essential to consider alternative approaches to managing diversity if the goal is to build a more democratic, fair and inclusive society. In the 21st century, interculturality highlights the need for coexistence in diversity based on dialogue, equality and mutual learning.

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