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Indigenous peoples and globalization Colombia: Indigenous self defense in times of war Source: Americas Program Reports from various human rights organizations sustain that Colombia's many waves of violence have intensified concentration of land. The situation has reached the point where 30% of the best land in the country is, today, in the hands of narcotics traffickers and the paramilitary. By Raul Zibechi, June 2008.[see more]         Correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >> Source: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization Program - Forum on Globalization Indigenous peoples are on the cusp of the crisis in sustainable development. Their communities are concrete examples of sustainable societies, historically evolved in diverse ecosystems. Today, they face the challenges of extinction or survival and renewal in a globalized world. The impact of globalization is strongest on these populations perhaps more than any other because these communities have no voice and are therefore easily swept aside by the invisible hand of the market and its proponents. Globalization is not merely a question of marginalization for indigenous peoples it is a multi-pronged attack on the very foundation of their existence and livelihoods, for example: Indigenous people throughout the world sit on the "frontlines" of globalization's expansion; they occupy the last pristine places on earth, where resources are still abundant: forests, minerals, water, and genetic diversity. All are ferociously sought by global corporations, trying to push traditional societies off their lands. New advances in technology, the reorientation toward export-led development, and the imperatives of pleasing global financial markets are all driving forces in the extermination of countless native communities which stand in their way. Traditional sovereignty over hunting and gathering rights has been thrown into question as national governments bind themselves to new global economic treaties. New trade and investment agreements, which are opening up previously inaccessible territory to industrial extraction of natural resources, has forced indigenous peoples to defend their homelands under an invasion of unprecedented rate and scale: Big dams, mines, pipelines, roads, energy developments, military intrusions all threaten native lands. Global rules on the patenting of genetic resources via the WTO has made possible the privatization of indigenous peoplesí genomes, the biological diversity upon which they depend, and the very knowledge of how that biodiversity might be used commercially. National governments making decisions on export development strategies or international trade and investment rules do not consult native communities. The reality remains that without rapid action, these native communities may be wiped out, taking with them vast indigenous knowledge, rich culture and traditions, and any hope of preserving the natural world, and a simpler, more holistic way of life for future generations. The reality remains that without rapid action, these native communities may be wiped out, taking with them vast indigenous knowledge, rich culture and traditions, and any hope of preserving the natural world, and a simpler, more holistic way of life for future generations. print    send   correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >>  World Bank's policy  UNHCHR Working Group on Indigenous Populations  Map on globalization  Extractive industries  Permanent Forum  Biodiversity conservation  Africa  Latin America  Asia   In-depth reports Detailed reports on key issues. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues It promises to give indigenous peoples a unique voice within the UN system. NGOs NGO web sites. Forest Peoples Programme The Forest Peoples Programme is an NGO, established in 1990 by the World Rainforest Movement specifically to work with forest peoples in their struggle to survive the global forest crisis. Tebtebba Tebtebba Foundation is committed to the recognition, protection and promotion of indigenous peoples' rights worldwide.      World Bank's policy World Bank’s revised policy on Indigenous Peoples Since 1996, the World Bank has been in the process of revising its existing operational policy on Indigenous Peoples. The whole revision process has been slow and highly controversial and in December 2004, the Bank team finally released the second draft of the revised policy for 90 days’ public consultation. Indigenous Peoples, poverty and human development in Latin America: 1994-2004 Source: World Bank Despite increases in political influence, indigenous peoples in Latin America see few gains over the last decade, says new World Bank study. May 18, 2005. Broken promises Source: Rainforest Foundation Civil society groups release scathing report on World Bank forest policy. In 2002 the World Bank adopted a new policy on forests, over objections from civil society and indigenous peoples’ groups. Three years later, as the Bank policy comes up for review, a broad coalition of environmental and indigenous groups have published Broken Promises, an extensive report on the forest policy’s effects on the environment and communities. April 26, 2005. Pdf format. Indigenous peoples and the World Bank Source: Bank Information Center Exhaustive information and background provided by the Bank Information Center (BIC). Indigenous leaders say World Bank should take its own advice IPS A report launched by the World Bank points out that despite an increasingly active political role played by indigenous communities, there has been little change in the extreme poverty and marginalisation in which a majority of Latin America's indigenous people are steeped. May 20, 2005.    UNHCHR Working Group on Indigenous Populations Working group on indigenous populations Source: UNHCHR The twenty-first session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations met at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 21 to 25 July 2003. The Working Group is open to representatives of indigenous organizations, peoples and communities as well as representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies. Report of the WG on its 21st session: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization The Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, in its resolution 2002/21, recommended that the WG at its 21st session (Geneva, 21-25 July 2003) adopt the theme "Indigenous peoples and globalization", and that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) invite all relevant organizations and departments of the UN system to provide information and, if possible, participate in the meetings of the WG.    Map on globalization Globalization: effects on indigenous peoples Source: International Forum on Globalization (IFG) The IFG's Indigenous Peoples and Globalization program has completed a map depicting the negative impacts of economic globalization on indigenous peoples. The map provides a striking visual image of the totality of the problem and offers a unique visual representation of globalization across the many sectors impacting native communities: oil, dams, biopiracy, logging, militarization, and industrial agriculture, to name a handful. The map also includes text describing the various impacts. Benetton seizes Mapuche´s lands Source: Indymedia and Choike This trial showed once again the application of the "Colabelli Doctrine" in the Chubut province: conflicts that should have been settled in the civilian realm settled under penal jurisdiction to ensure the "return" of lands to the accusing "owners" and in all cases the local landowners and multinationals. Colombian indigenous people protest loss of land and violation of rights Source: Third World Network About 400 members of the Embera Katio, a Colombian indigenous group, have been camped out in the offices of the Organizacion Nacional Indigena de Colombia (ONIC) since 23 December to demand that the government protect their natural environment and human rights. March 2005. The Mapuche struggle today Source: Znet The Mapuche people have a long and proud history of resistance to colonialism. Today, the Chilean state and multinational corporations continue in their long-standing efforts to steal the resources of the Mapuche and to subdue their ongoing struggle. Vladimir Painemal Morales, a youth leader of the Mapuche people, tells his story. July 2005. Indigenous people and minorities: A global and historic assault Source: Irin News "In every world region, minorities and indigenous peoples have been excluded, repressed and, in many cases, killed by their governments," said Mark Lattimer, executive director of the nongovernmental organisation Minority Rights Group International (MRG) at a press conference in January 2006. The event was the launch of the first edition of The State of the World’s Minorities Report, compiled by MRG with the assistance of various United Nations agencies. April 2006. Progress can kill Source: Survival International Changing stereotypes and racist attitudes is essential for the long-term health and survival of tribal peoples. Whatever the factors that cause tribal peoples to be removed from their ancestral lands, the physical impacts are often similar: short-term shock and exposure to disease and longterm suffering from chronic mental and physical illnesses. October 2007, pdf format. A review of the situation of indigenous peoples 2007 Source: UNPO Recent decades have witnessed a rapid increase in environmental degradation and exploitation, in many cases most severely in areas where local populations already suffer from the effects of oppression, discrimination and isolation. UNPO has utilized this year to inform the international community about the environmental perils UNPO Members are presently faced with. (PDF). December 2007.    Extractive industries Indigenous peoples' declaration on extractive industries Source: Forest People Programme "Our futures as indigenous peoples are threatened in many ways by developments in the extractive industries. Our ancestral lands -the tundra, drylands, small islands, forests and mountains- which are also important and critical ecosystems have been invaded by oil, gas, and mining developments which are undermining our very survival. Expansion and intensification of the extractive industries, alongside economic liberalisation, free trade aggression, extravagant consumption and globalisation are frightening signals of unsustainable greed." 15 April 2003, Oxford, United Kingdom. Issues of relevance to indigenous peoples and local communities in the final EIR report Source: Forest Peoples Programme This note summarizes the main points in the conclusions and recommendations sections of the Final Report of the Extractive Industries Review (EIR), focusing on indigenous peoples’ rights, human rights generally, WB accountability/institutional issues and the definition of poverty and sustainable development. Indigenous Peoples Organisations’ letter to the World Bank Source: Forest Peoples Indigenous peoples took a strong interest in the Extractive Industries Review (EIR) and made a number of submissions and inputs throughout the process. This interest is based on the well documented fact that, without full recognition of and respect for our rights, extractive industries exacerbate poverty among indigenous peoples, undermine our socio-cultural integrity and well being and, in some cases, threaten our survival as distinct peoples. August 2004. Old habits die hard Source: Pambazuka Leben Nelson Moro The local people have been increasingly dispossessed from their land without compensation, and have continued to be denied employment opportunities. Some communities have started to confront the abusive oil companies. It is probable that local agitation will boil over into violence if oil companies fail to shed their old bad habits of doing business in Sudan. September 2007.    Permanent Forum Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Choike in-depth report about the Second Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held 12-23 May 2003.    Biodiversity conservation The Global Environment Facility (GEF), Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous Peoples Source: Forest Peoples Programme This briefing reviews GEF policies and procedures relevant to protected areas and indigenous peoples. It claims that the approach is out of date and at odds with the requirements of the CDB, the instructions of the Conference of Parties and international best practice on protected areas.    Africa The rights of indigenous peoples in Africa Source: Pambazuka Korir Sing'Oei Abraham Groups that self-identify as indigenous live a peripheral existence. Most governments in Africa do not have disaggregated data or indicators to monitor the social, economic and political status of indigenous people. How then can they track progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals if the poorest of the poor are not even properly recognised? A major concern is that many states will focus on the bottom line of reaching the MDGs, rather than the matter of who reaches them or how. November 2007.    Latin America IDB and indigenous peoples Source: Indian Law The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is in the process of preparing an operational policy on indigenous peoples. IDB documents state that one of the primary goals of the policy is to safeguard indigenous peoples’ rights in the context of IDB development projects that could potentially affect them. Indigenous organizations have contested many of these consultations. August 2005. Colombia: Indigenous self defense in times of war Source: Americas Program Raúl Zibechi The Cordillera Central is one of the prime regions torn by the war between the Colombian military and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). The rural population, which is mostly lower class and of indigenous decent, and consequently the sector of the Colombian populous most dramatically hit by the armed confrontations, defends itself through the "Indigenous War." June 2008.    Asia Stolen generations: Australia apologizes to indigenous population Source: ConectaSur Juana Kweitel The Australian government has made a formal apology for the past wrongs caused by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population. The following article by Ramona Vijeyarasa, human rights activist, explains the situation of indigenous people who were separated from their families and communities under State-based forced removal policies of the 20th Century. February 2008.

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