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The indigenous are often most
vulnerable to climate change, not only because of less resourced
early warning and response systems, but also because traditional
lives often place the indigenous in direct conflict with the rising
hazards caused by climate change. To the indigenous, this is
not only a matter of economic survival, it is one of human rights
-- since the changes are caused by human action, and not their
own. Indigenous are threatened from all of the cardinal
points of the Earth, from the North and South, to the deserts of the
Middle East and Africa, to the Jungles of Asia and Latin America and
to small island states, and especially in the Arctic polar regions.
The chapter will identify what
the Indigenous are doing to combat climate change through civil
society, what they would like to do, and what hurdles stand in the
way, taking into account lessons that can be learned from
traditional culture.
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News: From: "Deb Harry" <red_road@mac.com>
Dear Friends,
The Indigenous representatives have walked out of the Protected
Areas Meeting currently organized under the Convention on Biological
Diversity in Rome. The Nigerian Chair Ositadinma Anaedu refused to
include indigenous requests unless they were backed by a party, when
in the past indigenous peoples have been able to independently table
proposals, so this is a big step back. There have been CBD
resolutions
calling for increased indigenous participation, but stopping short
of
setting out clear rules of procedure. This incident shows the need
for
clear rules for independent indigenous participation at all CBD
meetings. Below is the statement of the International Indigenous
Forum
on Biodiversity (IIFB), I understand that some NGOs are also
considering walking out of the meeting, due to procedural
constraints
imposed at this meeting. I am also including a copy of today's Earth
Negotiations Bulleting website that clearly shows the meeting
dynamics, you can also access this website at:
http://www.iisd.ca/biodiv/wgpa2/ (if necessary click on the
webcoverage for Thursday). There is also an indigenous blogspot:
http://www.indigenousstatement.blogspot.com/
Here is the indigenous statement:
STATEMENT
Rome, February, 2008
Thank you Mr Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
Over the last fifteen years indigenous peoples have been
participating
in the CBD process contributing to its work and implementation with
the best of our experiences, knowledge and will. Our efforts have
been
recognized on many occasions and we therefore have been able to
participate and contribute to the deliberations and positive
outcomes.
Throughout this time we have been able to express our views and
concerns regarding our fundamental rights, which are a critical
aspect
of biological diversity and conservation and of the international
obligations of all state Parties.
The CBD calls for full and effective participation of indigenous and
local communities in the implementation and processes of the
Convention, at the national, regional and international levels (goal
4.3 of the Strategic Plan and 2010 Biodiversity Target). As you may
be
aware, COP 5 formally recognized the International Indigenous Forum
on
Biodiversity as an advisory body of the CBD. Furthermore, Decision
8/24 stressed the need for the full and effective participation of
indigenous and local communities respecting fully their rights
consistent with national law and applicable international
obligations.
Mr. chairman, we have made great efforts to be part of this process.
However, it is with great disappointment that right from the
beginning
of this WGPA-2 meeting we have found ourselves marginalized and
without opportunity to take the floor in a timely manner to express
our points of view. Yesterday afternoon we were silenced at a
critical
moment of providing our contributions to the deliberations on the
recommendations on implementation of the Programme of Work. Further,
despite your assurances, Mr. Chairman, that all recommendations
would
be included in the CRP, none of our recommendations were included in
CRP2. This is extremely disturbing in light of the relevance of
these
recommendations to our lives, lands and the effective implementation
of the Programme of Work.
Mr. Chairman, in view of this unacceptable censuring, the
International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity expresses its strong
protest at this treatment and has unanimously decided to leave this
process which clearly does not respect our rights and participation.
We refuse to participate in a process that is making decisions over
our lives and yet expects us to be silent observers.
We will be considering further appropriate measures. We have been
advised by several NGOs that we also have their support on our
decision.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
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