NEWS BRIEFS
January 30, 2004
North America
ALASKA: Cultural preservation efforts clash with federal agenda
Aboriginal children taught almost entirely in Yupik and other native languages in western
Alaska schools will be disadvantaged if required to take federal tests in English under the
No Child Left Behind Act.
Source: The Anchorage Daily News (via the Associated Press)
January 26, 2004
http://www.adn.com/alaska/v-printer/story/4671401p-4625457c.html
UNITED STATES: Seneca fight to maintain sales rights
The Seneca Nation has filed a federal suit protesting a New York state law banning the
sale of cigarettes over the internet. This step comes after Gov. Pataki‟s recent decision to
delay collection of retail tax on reservation sales – a move viewed positively by the
Seneca.
Source: Indian Country Today
January 24, 2004
http://www.indiancountry.com/?1074965057
UNITED STATES: Narrangansett request reexamination of RI raid
The Narrangansett Indians of Rhode Island have appealed a federal court ruling that
favored the state over whether RI police had the right to search and shut down their tax-
free tobacco shop in July 2003.
Source: The Associated Press
January 26, 2004
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2004/01/26/narragansett_indian
_tribe_appeals_ruling_in_smoke_shop_case/
CANADA: Unification of Inuit language variations necessary for survival
Representatives from Alaska, Greenland, Russia, and Canada met at the Inuit
Circumpolar Conference to discuss the urgency of standardizing the Inuit language for its
preservation. A plurality of local dialects and written alphabets could lead to its
disintegration.
Source: CBC News
January 22, 2004
http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=jan22languageinukti01222004
PUERTO RICO: Capitalism threatens ancient Taino burial ground
An ancient burial site containing the remains of Taino people at Calle Agueybana in the
municipality of Caguas is under threat of development by large economic interests. The
Taino community considers this “capitalist development” an insult to their cultural
heritage and is urging Puerto Ricans and international supporters to voice their outrage at
the destruction of the site and the disturbance of the souls of their ancestors.
Source: United Confederation of Taino People
January 24, 2004
http://www.uctp.org/
South America
ECUADOR: Sarayacu declare state of emergency
On January 25, the Sarayacu community in the Ecuadorian Amazon declared a state of
emergency to defend their territories and stop exploration and exploitation of their lands
by the Argentina General Fuel Company (CGS). As part of the declaration, the Sarayacu
have created 25 Peace and Life Camps, each comprised of 150 members. The action
comes in the wake of President Lucio Gutiérrez‟s statement last week that CGS oil
projects would continue in the area.
Source: Agencia De Noticias Amazonía
January 27, 2004
COLOMBIA: UN official speaks out on internal displacement
During a tour of the Choco province this week, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner
Kamel Morjane said that the agency would continue to support the more than three-
million internally displaced people in the area. Morjane also meet with leaders from
indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities who represent about 95 percent of the
province‟s rural population and have suffered the greatest threats to their livelihood from
displacement.
Source: Noticias.info
January 28, 2004
http://www.noticias.info/Asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=17850&src=0
Africa
BURUNDI: US $1.03 billion pledged in Brussels forum
Burundi will be the recipient of $1.03 billion in donations from the World Bank,
European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium to help
displaced peoples return home, promote government military and social programs, and
stimulate the economy.
Source: UNDP
January 26, 2003
http://www.undp.org/dpa/
SUDAN: Peace talks between government and rebels stop for three-week hajj
Though a peace deal was promised by the government to the Sudanese people by the end
of January, talks have ceased for a three week hajj, or Muslim pilgrimage. Many
Sudanese argue that this is an excuse to avoid controversial land settlements, including
the Nuba Mountains, where the Nuba indigenous people suffer frequent human and land
rights violations.
Source: IRIN News
January 27, 2004
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39144&SelectRegion=East_Africa
SUDAN: More refugees flee Darfur province following government attacks
Refugees from Sudan, now totaling 110,000, continue to flee to Chad in fear of
government forces. Most refugees belong to the Fur, Zaghawa, and Maasalit tribes living
in Darfur, and have fled with no food, water, or possessions.
Source: IRIN News
January 23, 2004
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39108&SelectRegion=West_Africa
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: UN suspends humanitarian aid to Pygmies
Food set aside for 2,000 pygmy households was stolen from a local NGO‟s storage
warehouse and resold into the community and to traders by local residents. The UN
World Food Programme has suspended aid until a secure facility for resources can be
found.
Source: IRIN News
January 19, 2004
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39001&SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&Sele
ctCountry=DRC
HORN OF AFRICA: Twelve million people need aid due to food insecurity
The most recent Horn of Africa food security bulletin reported that a lack of rain in the
past months has brought famine to millions, including Somali pastoralists. Water
shortage and a lack of governmental food reserves have caused significant livestock and
land damage to villages and communities in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and
Eritrea.
Source: IRIN News
January 27, 2004
http://allafrica.com/stories/200401270082.html
KENYA: Maasai elders call for meeting on future for their people
Maasai elders called for MP William ole Ntimama, North Naroak legislator, to join
meetings on Maasai community development. Those attending the talks hope to identify
ways for Maasai to participate in the Kenyan economy and to prevent their continued
marginalization.
Source: The East African Standard
January 26, 2004
http://allafrica.com/stories/200401260200.html
KENYA: Police attack on community meeting to promote peace
Police threw tear gas into a crowd of people who were meeting to promote peace between
the Kissi and Maasai tribes, who frequently clash over cattle theft. At least 20 people
were treated for minor injuries.
Source: The East African Standard
January 19, 2004
http://allafrica.com/stories/200401190312.html
NIGERIA: Itsekiri on rampage for homeland
Seven people are dead after a violent conflict between militia groups from the Itsekiri and
Ijaw tribes. The Itsekiri have stepped up the use of violence as a means of attracting
attention to their land rights claim.
Source: This Day
January 26, 2004
http://allafrica.com/stories/200401260820.html
ALGERIA: Berbers fight for official recognition of their language
Negotiations between the Algerian government and the Berber minority over the issue of
making Tamazight (Berber) an official language along with Arabic have been suspended
so the Berber leaders can report back to their community.
Source: Middle East Online
January 28, 2004
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/algeria/?id=8674
Europe and Middle East
GERMANY: Multiple cases of discrimination reported against indigenous women
Roma and Sinti women in Germany face both ethnic and gender discrimination in areas
such as education, employment, and healthcare, according to a report from the European
Roma Rights Center and the European Union Monitoring and Advocacy Group. The
report, submitted to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women, calls for Germany to follow European Union directives by implementing anti-
discrimination legislation.
Source: Dzeno Association
January 21, 2004
http://www.dzeno.cz/?c_id=2910
SPAIN: Court upholds ban on Basque political party
The Spanish Constitutional Court, Spain‟s highest court, upheld a ruling by the Supreme
Court to ban Batasuna, the political party comprised of indigenous Basque in Northern
Spain. Batasuna plans to appeal the decision to the European Court of Human Rights in
Strasbourg, France.
Source: Reuters
January 16, 2004
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4150207
SPAIN: Catalan government attempts to preserve its language
The new Catalan government has recently approved the Programa de Planificació
Lingüística (Linguistic Planning Programme), which aims to normalize use of the Catalan
language in Catalonia. The plan encourages indigenous Catalonians to increase the social
use of their language.
Source: European News Agency for Minority Languages
January 22, 2004
http://217.136.252.147/webpub/eurolang/pajenn.asp?ID=4580
GREECE: Planned Olympic village leads to eviction of Roma
Olympic organizers in Greece say the proposed construction of seven Olympic media
villages, a project that has led to the eviction of more than fifty Roma families, will be
ready in April. The Roma have not received the promised compensation for their land,
and the human rights group Greek Helsinki Monitor has asked Greek officials to look
into the possibility of a criminal case against the Maroussi municipality, who developed
the project.
Source: Boston Globe
January 14, 2004
http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/articles/2004/01/14/controversial_
media_village_to_be_ready_by_april__athoc?mode=PF
IRAQ: Kurdish nationalists aspire to an autonomous state
Kurds have demanded of the Iraqi government their own state and control of the oil rich
nation of Kirkuk. The possibility of a separate Kurdish state in northern Iraq could cause
stability problems for the country‟s neighbors where there are also substantial Kurdish
populations.
Source: Indianapolis Star
January 25, 2004
http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/114651-4698-010.html
ISRAEL: A long awaited clinic opens in a Bedouin village
In the unrecognized Bedouin village of Wadi al Naam a health clinic was built by the
village committee‟s initiative with the aide of Bustan Shalom, a non-profit organization.
This is the first clinic in the village; it serves a humanitarian purpose, and acts as a protest
against the state‟s failure to provide basic services like water and healthcare to these
villages.
Source: Haaretz Israeli News
January 22, 2004
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/383249.html
Asia and Oceania
THAILAND: Two human rights observers arrested
Two human rights observers, a woman from Canada and another from Australia, were
arrested by Thai army personnel on Wednesday, Jan. 28 in Hooh Yoh Akha village in
Ampur Mae Faluang, Chiangrai Province. The two women had taken up a post in the
village for several days to document the seizure of farm land in Hooh Yoh.
Source: The Akha Heritage Foundation
January 28, 2004
http://www.akha.org
THAILAND: Warrant issued in child molestation case
The Benedikta Home for children in Chiangrai has been shut down, and a warrant issued
for employee Richard Woon‟s arrest following Akha child molestation and prostitution
charges. Woon‟s funding, which cam from Sweden, has been withdrawn, and there is a
criminal case being brought against him in Swedish courts.
Source: The Akha Heritage Foundation
January 30, 2004
http://www.akha.org
AUSTRALIA: Aboriginal candidate for the seat of Cook
An Aboriginal independent candidate, Bruce Gibson, will run for the seat of Cook in far
Northern Queensland on a platform of sustainable economic development and proper
repatriation for the stolen wages of indigenous people. Gibson says the issues
surrounding Aboriginal poverty and welfare dependency are linked to the government‟s
long history of “wage stealing.”
Source: ABC Online
January 26, 2004
http://www.abc.net.au/message/news/stories/s1028392.htm
AUSTRALIA: Aboriginal women oppose plans for nuclear dump
In a public forum next month, the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuti Council, an Aboriginal
women‟s group, will present their opposition to a planned nuclear waste dump near
Woomera. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority will hear
both sides of the debate.
Source: ABC Online
January 27, 2004
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1032185.htm
NEW ZEALAND: National Party attacks Maori social status
National Party leader Don Brash plans to speak on the Maori community‟s access to
special race-based laws during his „state of the nation‟ speech tonight. Brash believes
that the country has apologized enough for “the sins of its great-grandparents.”
Source: NewstalkZB
January 27, 2004
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsfeature.asp?storyID=45043
TONGA: Tonga‟s acting PM criticizes colonialism in the Pacific
Tonga‟s acting Prime Minister Hon. Clive Edwards says that certain New Zealand
politicians want to impose their values on the small island state, and that such unilateral
interference violates the conventions of the South Pacific Forum.
Source: Tonga Star
January 27, 2004
http://www.tongastar.com/News%20T%20-%201.htm
World
WORLD: Citigroup signs new environmental policy
Citigroup, the world‟s largest private financial institution, recently signed an
environmental policy set forth by the Rainforest Action Network. The policy sets the
standard for projects the company will fund based on their impact on sensitive
ecosystems, logging, and indigenous areas.
Source: Inter Press Service News Agency
January 22, 2004
http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=22054
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Aang Serian
Aang Serian, which means “house of peace” in Maasai, is an NGO in Tanzania that
promotes the culture and arts of the Maasai people. Founded in 1999 by Maasai and their
UK based supporters, Aang Serian works to integrate Maasai wisdom and practices into
school programs and community development.
In 2001, Aang Serian opened a community college in the town of Arusha. The college,
which has a current enrolment of 40 students ranging in age and ethnicity, teaches a
combination of Western and Maasai knowledge. This strategy is to preserve traditional
Maasai culture and also promote its use in the Western world. Students are required to
engage their families and community elders in conversation about traditional practices.
In order to graduate, students must name five medicinal plants, cook a traditional Maasai
dish, display handicraft skills, and perform a song or dance native to their culture.
Members of Aang Serian are working in conjunction with Terrawatu, another local NGO,
and the UN Development Programme to document and research medicinal plants used by
indigenous cultures in the area. They are also collaborating to translate a handbook of
published works on medicinal plant usage into local languages.
Aang Serian also helps indigenes find fair trade markets for their crafts and merchandise.
On the organization‟s website, people can purchase jewelry, music, or toys from
Tanzania at fair prices. Also for sale are tribal portraits.
One of the major goals of the organization is to connect indigenous organizations around
the world through a World Assembly of Indigenous Nations. The focus of this year‟s
meeting is education and Aang Serian details contact information on their website for
those interested in attending.
Through Aang Serian, volunteers can come to Tanzania to participate in English
conversation classes and get involved in curriculum development at the community
college. Also, manual workers are needed in the Maasai village of Eluay, where
volunteers can participate in activities like carpentry and bricklaying. Applications are
taken year-round.
Please visit Aang Serian‟s website (http://www.aangserian.org.uk) for more information.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The Amazon Needs No New Martyrs
From Christine Halvorson
January 28, 2004
The announcement came almost 15 years to the day of the assassination of Brazilian
activist Chico Mendes, the most famous martyr for human rights in the Amazon. On
December 23, Brazil‟s Justice Ministry reported it would ratify the Indigenous Territory
of Raposa Serra do Sol. The response was quick and deadly.
For the fifteen thousand indigenous people who have fought hard for the title to their
ancestral land, the announcement should have been good news. Instead, it triggered one
of the worst human rights crises these people have endured in their thirty-year struggle.
Vigilante gangs, organized by rice producers illegally occupying part of the land, went on
a rampage that has so far taken one life, three hostages, and all the major highways
around the territory captive.
The Brazilian government is playing a strange, lethal game.
President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva well knows that the climate in the northern state of
Roraima is explosive. The gangs are a front for a small coterie of rice farmers supported
by the local government. These notoriously corrupt politicians use Raposa Serra do Sol
(RSS) as the scapegoat for a lackluster economy. They claim that the agricultural
businesses that invaded the territory after its identification as a native area in 1993 are
“victims” of Indigenous greed. In the oddest twist of logic, they say most of the Indians
actually oppose their own land rights.
The propaganda works like a charm. In last twenty years, Indigenous people in Roraima
have been victim of more than 20 assassinations, 54 death threats, 50 physical assaults,
and 70 illegal detentions.
The latest vigilante violence is simply the new face of an old campaign that ignites every
time the federal government intimates it will ratify the land, but never does. This time
Indigenous lives were placed directly in the line of fire when the government said that the
land would be legalized by the end of January – instead of immediately.
Without coordinated security for the territory‟s residents, Lula‟s administration granted
local politicians a full month to cook up a whole new menu of terror against 130
defenseless communities. With the silent complicity of both the state and federal
governments, the local opposition lost no time. Less than two weeks after the
announcement, organized mobs took over the streets of Boa Vista, leaving graffiti that
read “Brazil for Brazilians.”
Although a federal order was issued to free the highways, no such protection was ordered
to prevent future attacks against people.
Legalization of native lands in Brazil is an arduous judicial process that takes years. The
peoples of Raposa Serra do Sol jumped through the right hoops. All they require is a
simple presidential signature and a guarantee of federal protection against attack. They
could have used it thirty years ago, but they need it now more than ever.
The government‟s delay tactics could backfire. RSS is a potent symbol of the struggle
for ancestral lands around the world. If the violence inside the territory intensifies this
month, so will international pressure on Lula to fulfill his forgotten campaign promise to
defend the human rights of Indigenous peoples.
After Chico Mendes was killed, international solidarity coalesced into a worldwide
movement to save the rainforest. Yet the people on the frontlines were forgotten for the
trees. Their invisibility invites impunity. Last year January opened with the
assassination of a Macuxi indian, shot execution-style in the back on RSS territory. This
year the ghost of Chico Mendes is rising up, warning that no new martyrs should be made
in the name of human rights in the Amazon.
Christine Halvorson is Executive Director of the Rainforest Foundation US, a nonprofit
organization that has supported Indigenous land rights in Latin America since 1989.