On September 20, 2011 while addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, called attention to the fact that large scale development projects and natural resource extraction in or near the territories of Indigenous Peoples is one of the most significant sources of abuse of their human rights worldwide.
“In its prevailing form, the model for advancing with natural resource extraction within the territories of Indigenous Peoples appears to run counter to the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in the political, social and economic spheres,” stated Anaya.
The Special Rapporteur presented his fourth annual report to the Human Rights Council about his work over the past year, including his study on extractive industries operating in or near Indigenous lands. He also reports on the situations of Indigenous Peoples in New Caledonia; the Republic of Congo; New Zealand; and the Sápmi region in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Special Reports involving cases and situations in Guatemala, Suriname and Costa Rica were also presented.
Read more.
See reports, statement and video of the Special Rapporteur's presentation here.
