WASHINGTON DC., U.S., January 21, 2025 –
The Facts and Norms Institute (FNI) and the American Society of International Law (ASIL) are pleased to announce the release of the latest edition of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Interest Group (RIPIG) Newsletter, covering the period from July to December 2024.
This issue marks another significant step in the ongoing collaboration between FNI and ASIL, dedicated to providing critical insights into the evolving landscape of indigenous rights worldwide.
This edition is spearheaded by Editor Henrique Napoleão Alves, with the support of Co-chairs Jonathan Liljeblad and Yuri Mantilla. Assistant editors Bruno José Fonseca, Felipe Martins Anawate, Laura Esteves Teixeira, Sarah Ebram Alvarenga, and Thiago Fernandes C. de Castro have contributed their knowledge and effort to this comprehensive issue.
"This Newsletter arrives at a crucial moment, highlighting both the enduring resilience and the persistent challenges faced by indigenous peoples globally," stated Alves.
He emphasized the newsletter's role in informing action, adding,
"Through meticulous gathering and analysis, this issue equips scholars, practitioners, and advocates with the knowledge necessary to engage meaningfully with the ongoing struggles and advancements in indigenous rights."
Key highlights of this issue include:
Indigenous Rights Developments: This section presents a wide array of global developments, ranging from the addition of the Tamazight language to Google Translate and initiatives to empower Aboriginal teachers in Australia, to the struggles of indigenous communities against deforestation in Honduras and the impact of mining on the Hongana Manyawa people in Indonesia. It also covers legal battles for treaty rights in Canada, investigations into historical abuses in US boarding schools, and the use of indigenous knowledge in climate action recognized by the IPCC.
Recommendations from UN Treaty Bodies: The newsletter provides key recommendations from various UN committees concerning the rights of indigenous peoples across the globe. This includes calls from the UN Human Rights Committee for Suriname and India to strengthen indigenous rights protections, recommendations from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for the UK and Ukraine, and guidance from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for Mexico, Israel, Argentina, and Denmark, addressing issues from data collection to inclusive education and violence prevention.
UN Statements and Reports: This section features statements from UN Special Rapporteurs and experts addressing pressing issues faced by indigenous communities worldwide. Highlights include calls to safeguard indigenous territorial rights in Brazil, reports on the rights of mobile indigenous peoples and indigenous persons with disabilities, concerns over the situation in New Caledonia and Viet Nam, and expert warnings about the impact of tourism projects in Indonesia and the need for climate finance to reach vulnerable populations, including indigenous peoples.
Regional Bodies' Recommendations and Reports: The newsletter offers updates from regional human rights bodies in Africa and the Americas. Coverage includes decisions from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights regarding the Batwa people in the DRC and resolutions promoting indigenous languages and knowledge. From the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, highlights include hearings on the Yanomami people and indigenous groups in Nicaragua, precautionary measures for indigenous leaders, and concerns over violence against indigenous peoples in Brazil.
Selected Publications and Reports: A curated selection of recent texts, books, and other publications offers deeper analysis and scholarly perspectives on indigenous rights, environmental justice, and related fields. This section includes academic articles, book chapters, and reports covering diverse topics from settler colonialism and climate remedies to indigenous knowledge systems and legal education through an indigenous lens.
The RIPIG Newsletter continues to serve as an indispensable resource for fostering informed dialogue and action within the global community dedicated to the protection and advancement of indigenous peoples' rights.
For access to the latest issue of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Interest Group Newsletter, click here:
Comments