Indigenous

Commentary: Dams are a Women’s Issue

Waterfall at Juanacatlan, on the Santiago River
From March 2011 World Rivers Review There is wide recognition that the development of big dams has been especially harmful to women. Those behind the construction of dams have failed to protect the rights and welfare of those who are affected by these projects, and particularly have failed to resolve the problems caused to women and children. Many countries are signatories to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which holds signatory countries accountable for specific actions to promote women's rights and legislation to ensure equal treatment

Our Rivers, Our Lives

Caleen Sisk-Franco
From March 2011 World Rivers Review The movement to protect rivers and rights is full of amazing women. We asked just a few of them to talk about the rivers they love, and what they hope for their future. Our River is Our NameCaleen Sisk-Franco, Tribal Chief and Spiritual Leader, Winnemem Wintu Tribe, (California, U.S.A) Caleen Sisk-Franco The name of my tribe, Winnemem Wintu, translates to Middle Water people and is taken from the name of our river, the Winnemem Waywakit, which is bounded by the Upper Sacramento to the West and the Pit River to the East. Now known to most as the McCloud

5,000 Indigenous Peoples Ignored In Grab for Carbon Credits

A community leader speaks to his people and visiting NGO representatives about Barro Blanco project
A community leader speaks to his people and visiting NGO representatives about Barro Blanco project ASAMCHI As far back as the 1970s, civil society groups and the Ngobe indigenous people have been fighting to protect the Tabasara River and the lands belonging to them from destructive dam projects. The most recent such project is the 29 MW Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Project in western Panama. In late 2010, groups from across Panama and Europe were successful in prompting an investigation by the European Investment Bank (EIB) into human rights abuses, which forced the dam developer, Generatin

New Chinese Dam Project Fuels Ethnic Conflict in Sudan

Protest against the Kajbar Dam in Sudan
Protest against the Kajbar Dam in Sudan Dams have impoverished tens of thousands of people and triggered serious human rights violations in Sudan. Now Chinese companies have won contracts to build three more hydropower projects in the country. Of particular concerns are plans to dam the Nile near Kajbar, on the lands of ancient Nubia. This project has already caused massive human rights abuses. Affected people are strongly opposed to it, and have raised the specter of a second Darfur conflict. The Sudanese government plans to transform the Nile, the only stretch of fertile land north of Kh

OAS may recommend the suspension of Belo Monte



Thursday, November 11, 2010
Entities sent today (11) a document that alleges violations of international treaties in the project and threats to indigenous and riverine communities of the Xingu River; OAS will demand explanations and may request the State to stop the licensing process

 The Organization of American States (OAS) today (Thursday, November 11) a document denouncing the irregularities in the bidding process and the impacts on indigenous and riverine communities that are affected by the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, in Pará.  Signed by the Xingu Forever Alive Movement, by other organi

UN Human Rights Council: Situation of the Belo Monte Dam in the State of Pará

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, submits to the Human Rights Council the present report on specific cases he has examined concerning alleged violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples in many parts of the world. This report includes observations and recommendations by James Anaya on the Belo Monte Dam. Download the full report.  

Letter to US Secretary of State on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Monday, September 13, 2010
The Honorable Hillary Rodham ClintonSecretary of StateU.S. Department of State2201 C Street NW. Washington, D.C. 20520 RE: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Dear Madam Secretary: We, the undersigned, strongly encourage the United States to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as adopted by the United Nations on September 13, 2007 in New York. By endorsing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the United States will affirm to the world that indigenous peoples have a right to exist as distinct peoples and cultur

Carta Final do Acampamento Terra Livre: “Em Defesa do Rio Xingu: Contra Belo Monte!"

Thursday, August 12, 2010
    Nós povos indígenas, Juruna, Xipaya, Arara da Volta Grande, Kuruaia e Xicrin da região de Altamira, Guajajara, Gavião, Krikati, Awa Guajá, Kayapó do MT e PA, Tembé, Aikeora, Suruí, Xavante, Karintiana, Puruborá, Kassupá, Wajapi, Karajá, Apurinã, Makuxi, Nawa AC, Mura do AM, Tupaiu, Borari, Tapuia, Arapiuns, Pataxó, Tupiniquim, Javaé, Kaingang, Xucuru, Marubu, Maiuruna, Mundukuru do AM e do PA e dos demais estados da Amazônia e outras regiões do Brasil, agricultores, ribeirinhos e moradores das cidades de Itaituba, região do Tapajós, Trairão, Medicilândia, Uruará, Pl

Final Declaration from the Terra Livre Encampment: “In Defense of the Xingu: Against Belo Monte!”

Thursday, August 12, 2010
     We, the indigenous peoples Juruna, Xipaya, Arara of Volta Grande, Kuruaia and Xicrin from the region of Altamira, the Guajajara, Gavião, Krikati, Awa Guajá, Kayapó of Mato Grosso and Pará, the Tembe, Aikeora, Suruí, Xavante, Karintiana, Puruborá, Kassupá, Wajãpi, Karaja, Apurinã, Makuxi, the Nawa of Acre, the Mura of Amazonas, the Tupaiu, Borari, Tapuia, Arapiuns, Pataxó, Tupiniquim, Javaé, Kaingang, Xucuru, Marubu, Maiuruna, Mundukuru of Amazonas and Pará, and the farmers, riverine families, and residents of other states of the Amazon and Brazil, from the city of Itaituba

The Gibe 3 Dam – A Test Case for China’s Role in Africa

Farmer in the Omo Valley
Farmer in the Omo Valley Getahun Tolla The Gibe 3 Dam in Ethiopia is Africa’s most destructive dam project. So far, the Ethiopian government has not managed to attract any international finance for it. After several other funders pulled out, China’s biggest bank is expected to decide about a loan for Gibe 3 soon. The decision is an important test case for the environmental responsibility of China’s overseas lenders. The Gibe 3 Dam is currently under construction on Ethiopia’s Omo River. As we have documented in eyewitness reports, articles and commentaries, the dam could lead to the

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