Statement by the International Forum of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change (IFIPCC) on ‘reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation' (REDD) agenda item at the UNFCCC climate negotiations. November 2007

The International Forum of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change (IFIPCC)

The 13th Session of Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC SBSTA 27,

agenda item 5/REDD

November 2007

Thank you Mr. President, on behalf of the International Forum of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change, I would like to express our profound concern about reducing emissions from deforestation (REDD).

Many adaptation and mitigation policies and projects promoted as solutions to climate change like market based mechanisms, carbon trading, agrofuels and the Clean Development Mechanism devastate Indigenous Peoples' lands and territories and cause more Human Rights violations.

REDD will not benefit Indigenous Peoples, but in fact, it will result in more violations of Indigenous Peoples' Rights. It will increase the violation of our Human Rights, our rights to our lands, territories and resources, steal our land, cause forced evictions, prevent access and threaten indigenous agriculture practices, destroy biodiversity and culture diversity and cause social conflicts. Under REDD, States and Carbon Traders will take more control over our forests.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 13 of this year and consecrates fundamental rights of indigenous peoples which are relevant to the REDD discussions. especially Articles 10, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32.

Given the threat to Indigenous Peoples' Rights that REDD represents, the International Forum on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change calls for SBSTA to organize with The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues an Expert Meeting on Climate Change Mitigation Strategies Impacts on Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, we urge the Convention to participate actively in the next session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues whose special Theme is Climate Change.

In closing, we inform the SBSTA that we are requesting that Human Right Council and The Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples to monitor the potential Human Rights violation related to the implementation of REDD.

Terimakasih Mr. President