Share

News & Events

2012: Does the Mayan Calendar Predict the End of the World?

Date: 01/30/2012

 In Momostenango, a small town in the highland region of Guatemala, the Quiche Mayan community did not enter the 2012 year dreading doomsday predictions. Instead, they’re gearing up for their biggest party yet. 

Brazil’s Indian Agency Approves Return of 146,000 hectares to Xavante People

Date: 01/22/2012
Rio das Mortes with Wedezé Mountain, Brazil.

In December, Brazil’s Indian Agency (Fundação Nacional do Índio) approved delimitation of the 146,000 hectare Wedezé Indigenous Reserve in the state of Mato Grosso.

Campaign Victory – Papua New Guinea: Legislature Revokes Amendments to Environmental Law

Date: 01/20/2012

On January 19, Minister for Environment in the O’Neil-Namah Government, Hon Thompson Haroquave, carried through on his promise to the people of Papua New Guinea and ensured that Parliament repealed amendments to the Environment Act that had been made in favor of the Chinese mining company, MCC. The amendments had prohibited landowners from suing for damages to their property or their livelihoods, if these were negatively affected by MCC’s dumping of mine waste into the Bismarck Sea. The repeal of the amendments reinstates landowners’ right to sue for such damages. Tiffany Twivvey, lawyer for the Rai Coast landowners who unsuccessfully tried to block the ocean dumping via the courts, celebrated the news by posting a message to Mr.

Campaign Update - Kenya: Samburu Decry Forceful Eviction

Date: 01/20/2012

The Samburu's legal case against the African Wildlife Foundation and the Kenya Wildlife Service is gaining more attention in the regional press, with reporting coming from AfricaNews on Tuesday.  The article reported on the issue after peaceful demonstations were held by the Samburu last week to protest the continuous and unjustified harassment by police.

Campaign Update – Cambodia: Violent Clash as Villagers Defend Land

Date: 01/20/2012

Four villagers were injured yesterday when security forces open-fired at a group of 200 protesters who had gathered to block bulldozers from clearing their land in the Kraite province, one of four provinces that make up the greater Prey Lang forest in Cambodia.  Our campaign partners LICADHO said that the shooting took place when villagers attempted to stop security guards at a rubber plantation owned by TTY Corporation from destroying the communities’ cassava fields.  According to witnesses, the security guards opened fire on the villagers using AK-47s.  VOA Khmer