FPP ENewsletter July 2014 (PDF Versions)

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE JULY 2014 NEWSLETTERGlobal deforestation continues at unsustainable rates, so what actions are being taken by decision-makers today?  This newsletter examines some approaches by European Union, the World Bank, the UNFCCC, and the countries of Guyana and Uganda. Do these add up to a credible solution, or is it merely fiddling?The European Commission recently hosted a high-level international meeting to discuss global deforestation and their implications for climate change, development and biodiversity loss.  Acknowledging that the EU has a major forest footprint, importing millions of hectares of deforestation, participants highlighted some critical actions that need to be taken.Guyana has been a major proponent of international funding for avoided deforestation in tropical countries, making this a test-case of the above-mentioned critical actions. How are indigenous peoples’ rights and local benefit sharing issues being addressed in Guyana’s land use, forest and climate policies?A detailed report by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and FPP finds that stronger action is needed on democratic governance and recognition of customary land rights.In Uganda, the Batwa have submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court of Uganda seeking recognition of their status as indigenous peoples under international law and redress for the historic marginalisation and continuous human rights violations they have experienced as a result of being dispossessed of their ancestral forest lands by the government.  As of June 2014, the case has yet to be listed as a cause to be heard in court, but the Batwa are closely monitoring the process to ensure that their claim receives the attention it deserves.Given the serious problems faced by indigenous peoples in Africa, it is a matter of grave concern that the World Bank is contemplating proposals to apply its protections for indigenous peoples differently in Africa, as it completes its review of its safeguard policies.  Such discriminatory action, in addition to non-acceptance of free, prior and informed consent in its policy on Indigenous Peoples, undermine World Bank’s boast leadership in social and environment safeguards.Meanwhile, recent UNFCCC discussions on land-based mitigations measures showed low concerns for human-rights and the risk of a weak or non-existent safeguard regime for all land-use related mitigation actions remains high. A discussion document - “Comprehensive land-use planning: a rights-based approach / Discussion Paper for addressing the land sector in the ADP” highlights important challenges in this regard. The human-rights implications of climate change actions will be central to the advocacy efforts by indigenous peoples and civil society during COP20 in Lima in December 2014. Forest Peoples Programme will follow-up on the Palangka Raya Declaration on deforestation and human rights, including public events led by indigenous peoples.  I hope you enjoy reading more about these issues in this edition of our newsletter. Joji Cariño, Director