Friday, September 16, 2011

Special Rapporteur Report: Effects of Extractive Industries

UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, recently presented his annual report to the UN General Assembly. The report provides a summary of activities carried out during his third year in the mandate, particularly communications with governments concerning 25 cases of specific human rights violations in 15 countries. Some of the case studies include:
  • Costa Rica: Situation of the Térraba people and the hydroelectric project El Diquís
  • Ethiopia: Situation of the Gilgel Gibe III hydroelectric project on the Omo River
  • Guatemala: Situation of social and environmental problems generated by the Marlin mine 
  • Malaysia: Situation of the Long Teran Kanan village and native customary rights in Sarawak
In the second half of the report, Anaya provides a preliminary analysis of the impact of extractive industries operating within or near Indigenous territories, based on a questionnaire on the issue distributed to governments, Indigenous peoples, corporations, and civil society. The full report can be downloaded here.

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