Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee: Indigenous Peoples are Being Targeted for their Lands & Natural Resources in India

This submission by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) covers major issues affecting the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in India and provides recommendations to the UN Human Rights Committee for its 141st Session (1-23 July 2024) to ensure the protection of Indigenous Peoples´ rights in India. 

In India, about 705 ethnic groups are listed as Scheduled Tribes (usually referred to as Adivasis, literally meaning original inhabitants). With an estimated population of 104 million, Indigenous Peoples comprise 8.6% of the total population. They face disproportionate human rights violations, often targeted or penalised for preserving nature and natural resources on their lands and territories.

The submission voices concern over the systematic nullification of the legal protection to Indigenous Peoples/scheduled tribes and their right to free, prior and informed consent. Other critical issues of importance include: 

• Fast-tracking of the extinction of the Shompens and Nicobarese Indigenous Peoples through the Great Nicobar Island mega project;

• Criminalisation of the acts seeking enforcement of the right to free, prior informed consent against coal industries in Hasdeo Arand forests (Chhattisgarh);

• Targeted sexual violence against Indigenous women especially during the conflict in Manipur; and

• Indigenous Peoples being the largest group of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) in India and the government of India not providing assistance to the conflict induced IDPs and not taking measures for their rehabilitation and resettlement.