[IPSM] Underreported Struggles #43, October 2010

[willowtree at mts.net]

In this month's Underreported Struggles: 3,000 indigenous people stage a 
"silent protest" over a proposed Nuclear power project in India; Tibetan 
villagers confront Chinese workers for endangering sacred Mountain; over 
41 thousand Mayans reject the exploitation of natural resources in 
Guatemala.

http://intercontinentalcry.org/underreported-struggles-43-october-2010/

Some 4,000 indigenous people ended their blockade of the Marañon river 
in northern Peru after reaching an agreement with the government and the 
Argentinian oil company Pluspetrol. "After an oil spill in June, the 
Peruvian government had been distributing food and goods to the people 
most affected in the region; however, with Pluspetrol declaring the 
pollution problem resolved, the government has cut off aid, in spite of 
indigenous complains that problems continue to occur. The agreement 
reached maintains peace on both sides—the oil corporation and the 
indigenous peoples—until the government’s water authority can test the 
waters of the Marañon for pollution," explains EarthFirst!

Up to 3,000 villagers are facing arrest after taking part in a "silent 
protest" against the Jaitapur nuclear power project in southwestern 
India. The villagers, upset about the lack of transparency surrounding 
the project, organized a "Jail Bharo" (fill up the jail) protest, by 
showing up at the project site to await their arrest. The government 
reacted by issuing "preventive arrest" warrants, prohibitory orders and 
setting up road blocks. According to media reports, 750 people were 
arrested including a former Supreme Court Judge.

Indigenous and Black Peoples from across Honduras have said they are 
ready to mobilize against 41 dam concessions that would violate their 
rights, threaten the environment and endanger their communities. The 
announcement came in the form of a declaration exactly one month to the 
day after the government passed a set of news laws that conceded the use 
of several rivers for the hydro projects. The declaration also states 
their intention to create a new organization to defend their human 
rights and to promote a national gathering of indigenous and black women.

The West Papuan highlands have been plunged into a state of tension and 
fear, as Indonesian police shot dead a member of the indigenous 
community security group, Defenders of the Land of Papua. Indigenous 
Papuan activists are operating in a state of increased repression, 
surveillance and militarization backed by the Indonesian state's 
supporters in the US and Australia.

A new petition was set up by Survival International to call on 
Wilderness Safaris, the controversial holiday company, to move its 
tourist lodge off indigenous lands in Botswana. "Wilderness Safaris 
erected its luxury lodge, with swimming pool and showers, on Bushman 
land without first seeking their consent", says Survival. While the 
tourists have been allowed to enjoy unlimited access to water, the 
Central Kalahari Bushmen have been strictly prohibited from using any 
water on their territory whatsoever. So far the petition has gained 
12,278 signatures.

The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission adopted a resolution that asks 
the Navajo Nation Council hold a referendum to decide the future of the 
controversial "Northeastern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Agreement." 
The resolution is based on consideration of several important factors; 
among them, the "world standard” for decisions by indigenous peoples on 
their resources made by “free, prior, [and] informed consent."

Over 41 thousand indigenous people rejected the exploitation of natural 
resources, especially mining, in two separate consultations this month 
in Guatemala. Both consultations were organized by concerned indigenous 
communities in response to the government's failure to meet certain 
national and international regulations, including their right to be 
consulted. Equally impressive to the 41,000 that said NO, a mere 73 
people voted in favour of mining.

About 50 Indigenous youths took part in a peace gathering of their own 
design, bringing together Christians, Muslims, traditional Lumads and 
others from throughout the Philippines. The six day gathering was 
enormously successful, providing a critical space for the youths to 
discuss the issues that matter to them, learn about each other's 
cultures, and overcome prejudices that get in the way of peaceful living.

The government of Papua New Guinea gave the official go-ahead for a deep 
sea mineral mine that will sit near several hydrothermal vents roughly 
1,600 meters below the surface. Also known as "black smokers," some 
scientists believe hydrothermal vents to be the origins of life on 
Earth. PNG's prime minister, Michael Somare, licensed the new mine to 
Canada's Nautilus Minerals. Meanwhile, Barrick gold continues to harm 
the environment at their gold mine; and the proposed Ramu mine, despite 
continued controversy, 'somehow' keeps moving closer to a reality.

The Wixarika People in Mexico issued a statement demanding the 
cancellation of 22 mining concessions and a moratorium on any future 
exploration or extraction activities in the semi-arid desert known as 
the Real de Catorce. The Canadian company First Majestic Silver, who 
owns the concessions, wants to exploit the regions vast deposits of 
silver, despite the fact that it would desecrate and possibly destroy 
"one of the most important sites of indigenous prayer in Mexico, and 
possibly the world."

In a very surprising move, the President of Panama agreed to revoke "La 
Chorizo" a highly controversial law that eliminated the need for 
environmental impact assessments in development projects, protected the 
police from prosecution for human rights abuses and limited the ability 
of labor unions to go on strike. It's a major victory to say the least. 
However, there are still two more equally controversial laws that have 
not been revoked: Law 14 and Executive Decree 537. The latter completely 
removes the right of Indigenous Peoples to elect their own leaders 
according to their own traditions.

The Canadian company Goldcorp illegally dumped industrial waste water 
into the rivers of San Miguel Ixtahuacán, Guatemala, raising even more 
concerns for local Mayans who remain opposed to the project. According 
to experts of the American NGO, E-tech, the water holds the unmistakable 
scent of Cyanide. Meanwhile, the Inter-American Commission on Human 
Rights (IACHR) and other international bodies continue to wait for the 
Government to shut the mine down to make way for a full investigation of 
the company's practices.

The Anishinabek Nation Grand Council issued a statement opposing plans 
to ship radioactive waste through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence 
River, because it would endanger the Anishinabek Peoples' 
"constitutionally protected rights to fish, hunt, and gather lake based 
traditional foods and medicines." A week earlier, the Mohawk Council of 
Kahnawà:ke issued its own statement, barring the ship from entering the 
area of the St. Lawrence Seaway that runs through the Haudenosaunee 
community.

Dozens of Tibetan villagers confronted Chinese work crews who are 
threatening to damage Naglha Dzamba mountain, a traditional Tibetan site 
of worship in the county of Driru, occupied Tibet. After a tense 
standoff, the workers reportedly left; only for the Chinese police to 
took their place. At least 20 Tibetans were arrested. In the days that 
followed, Chinese Officials went to all the villagers in the area and 
forced them to sign an agreement not to engage in any further protests.

One of the oldest and most important heritage sites in British Colombia 
may soon be destroyed, according to media reports. The Glenrose Cannery 
site, as it's known to archaeologists, is believed to be at least 9,000 
years old, predating even Stonehenge.The government, however, doesn't 
care much for indigenous history. Which is why they're going to go ahead 
with the brand new South Fraser highway.

Videos of the Month

When Two Worlds Collide - Set against the backdrop of global recession 
and climate crisis, When Two Worlds Collide traces the heroic journey of 
Peruvian indigenous leader Alberto Pizango, from the month's leading up 
to Bagua, to his time in exile, and now is journey as the leader of the 
Alliance for the Alternative of Humanity. This film is in urgent need of 
funding, click here to learn more.

Asserting Self-Determination over Cultural Property - Debra Harry, Ph.D. 
(Kooyooee Dukaddo), member of Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in Nevada, 
Executive Director of the Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism, 
speaking at Fairhaven College on October 6, 2010.

Emergency in Bosawas An informative look at the struggle of Indigenous 
communities to protect the natural resources of Bosawas, the largest 
biosphere reserve in Central America.